Founding and History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Date Omega Psi Phi was founded

November 17, 1911

Founding Location

Science Hall, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Founders' Vision

Unite capable college men for leadership and service; Build a national fraternity with ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, manhood, and uplift; Provide a space where students could inspire each other beyond what the university could offer.

First Meetings

Nov 15, 1911: Preliminary meeting to discuss creating a fraternity; Nov 17, 1911: Chose the name Omega Psi Phi, motto ("Friendship is essential to the soul"), cardinal principles (Scholarship, Manhood, Perseverance, Uplift), pin, and escutcheon; Nov 23, 1911: Elected first officers: Edgar A. Love: Grand Basileus, Oscar J. Cooper: Grand Keeper of Records, Frank Coleman: Grand Keeper of Seals; Chose charter members for Alpha Chapter.

Faculty Approval Process

Faculty at Howard was skeptical of fraternities (concerns about secrecy, morals, etc.); Omega men defended their plan as: A tool for leadership development; A student-created organization with faculty oversight; An honor for Howard to be the first Negro institution with a national fraternity; Initially asked to remain local; Omega insisted on being national; Eventually won faculty approval as a national fraternity.

Key Events in Establishment

Dec 8, 1911: Constitution completed; Dec 15, 1911: Alpha Chapter formally established; temporary officers: Frank Coleman: Basileus, Edgar A. Love: Keeper of Records, Oscar J. Cooper: Keeper of Seals; Oct 28, 1914: Omega Psi Phi incorporated under the laws of D.C.

First Initiates

Feb 28, 1912: J.R. Johnson, W.B. Jason, Moses Clayborne, C.C. Cook.

Symbolism

Motto: Friendship is essential to the soul; Cardinal principles: Scholarship, Manhood, Perseverance, Uplift; Escutcheon: Greek letters ΩΨΦ, star, lamp, helmet, gauntlet, unsheathed swords, laurel wreath.

Edgar A. Love

Born: Sept 10, 1891, Harrisburg, VA; Education: Morgan College Academy (1909), Howard University B.A. Cum Laude (1913), Howard Divinity B.D. (1916), Boston University B.S.T. (1918), Graduate study, Univ. of Chicago; Military: U.S. Army Chaplain, 368th Infantry, WWI; served in Argonne & Vosges; discharged as captain; Career: Minister, educator, civic leader; District Superintendent, Methodist Episcopal Church; Omega roles: First Grand Basileus (3 terms); co-founder.

Oscar J. Cooper

Born: 1888, Washington, D.C.; Known for: Orderly, precise, science-minded; Education: Howard Univ. B.A. (1913), Howard School of Medicine M.D.; Career: Physician in Philadelphia; respected medical leader; Omega roles: First Grand Keeper of Records & Seal; 2nd Grand Basileus; co-founder.

Frank Coleman

Born: July 11, 1890, Washington, D.C.; Known for: Interest in physics, leadership, scholarship; Education: Dunbar High School (M St.), Washington D.C.; Howard Univ.

B.S.

Bachelor of Science degree obtained in 1913.

M.S.

Master of Science degree from the University of Chicago.

Ph.D.

Doctor of Philosophy work completed at the University of Pennsylvania.

Military Service

Served as First Lieutenant during WWI.

Ernest E. Just

Biologist known for pioneering research in cytology and fertilization, faculty at Howard University.

Fraternity Bulletin

Published to keep Omega men informed of the work of Omega Psi Phi and spread fraternity-specific information.

Campbell C. Johnson

Published the first Fraternity Bulletin of Omega Psi Phi in January 1923.

Walter Herbert Mazyck

Succeeded Campbell C. Johnson as Grand Keeper of Records and Seal.

Mazyck's Contribution

Improved administrative efficiency, issued certificates only upon payment, and wrote historical articles on Omega.

George Washington and the Negro

Published by Walter H. Mazyck in 1932.

Walter H. Mazyck's Death

Passed away on August 7, 1933.

J. Arthur Weiseger

Succeeded Mazyck as Grand Keeper of Records and Seal.

Weiseger's Improvements

Assembled and reorganized files, created new membership rosters, issued monthly letters.

George A. Isabell

Succeeded Weiseger as Grand Keeper of Records and Seal.

Administrative Office Location

Located at Cadillac Square, Detroit, Michigan under George A. Isabell.

The Oracle

The official publication and voice of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

First Oracle Publication

Published in Spring 1919.

First Editor of the Oracle

Stanley M. Douglass.

Cardinal Principles of Omega Psi Phi

Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, Uplift.

Lloyd H. Newman

Started permanent financial records in 1918.

Omega's Income Milestone

First exceeded $1,000 in 1922 under George I. Lythcott.

Modern Bookkeeping System

Installed by Daniel B. Taylor in 1925 with help from J. D. Stewart.

Financial Loss in 1931

More than $3,000 lost in the failure of the Northwestern Trust Company bank.

Daniel B. Taylor

Grand Keeper of Finances during the financial crisis of 1931.

Jesse B. Blayton

Succeeded Taylor as Grand Keeper of Finances.

Blayton's Approach

Used the financial office as a laboratory school of accounting for students at Atlanta University and Morehouse.

Vice-Grand Basileus Purpose

Oversee expansion, detached brothers, employment opportunities, and support district/traveling reps.

John W. Love

First Vice-Grand Basileus, appointed in 1923.

Ira De A. Reid's Publication

Created the pamphlet 'After College, What?' as Vice-Grand Basileus.

Parris V. Sterrett's Recruits

Recruited Jerome 'Brud' Holland (Cornell) and Wilmeth Sidat-Singh (Syracuse).