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Omega History
 

Brief history of the eighth district

 

Omega’s Eighth District has its beginnings as the Third District. The Fraternity originally divided in five districts in 1922, but rapid growth occurred and by 1928, nine districts were in place. Annual district conferences began in 1926.

Upsilon Omega Chapter was founded in 1921 as the Upsilon Graduate Chapter in St. Louis. It was the first chapter chartered in what is now the Eighth District. The name was later changed to Upsilon Omega to reflect the fact that it was a graduate and not an undergraduate chapter. John H. Purnell, James E. White and Robert N. Owens, all Howard University alumni, founded the chapter.

A constitutional provision in 1922 gave Grand Basileus Julius McCain the authority to appoint representatives of the Grand Chapter, called District Representatives, to assist in the supervision of the chapters.  Five such representatives were appointed at the time.  The representatives were Charles W. White, (New England States), Carter L. Marshall (Mid Atlantic States), L.R. Hill (Central States), William J. Faulkner (Southern States) and George L. Vaughn (Western States). 

The provision also enabled District Representatives to be elected by districts and made them Constitutional officers of the Fraternity.

Also in 1922, Beta Omega in Kansas City became the second chapter in the Eighth District to receive its charter. Delta Phi in Topeka and Chi Phi in Denver soon followed them both were chartered in 1925 and 1927, respectfully.

The Eighth District hosted its first in numerous Grand Conclaves in 1923. Upsilon Omega in St. Louis hosted the 12th Grand Conclave. John H. Purnell, a charter member of Upsilon Omega, served as Grand Marshal

George D. Brantley of Upsilon Omega was elected the first District Representative in 1928. The Fraternity continued to see rapid growth and westward expansion and more districts were put into place.

The Eighth District emerged as comprising the states of Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Minnesota in 1933.

Herman Dreer was a Washington, D.C. native, who graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Bowdoin College, was elected District Representative in 1933. Dreer had earlier moved to St. Louis and became an educator. Prior to that, he taught at Virginia Theological Seminary in Lynchburg and while there, received an M.A. in Latin Theology.

Dreer’s contributions to the Eighth District and the Fraternity were indelible and countless. While teaching at Sumner High School, Dreer began the arduous task of researching and composing the Fraternity’s first history book. Eta Alpha was chartered in 1934 as a graduate chapter in Jefferson City, Mo.

The 22nd Grand Conclave was held in St. Louis in 1934.

By 1935, Illinois was added to the Eighth District. Eta Sigma was chartered in 1936 on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, thus making it the first undergraduate chapter in the Eighth District. That same year, Ulysses S. Donaldson, a member of Upsilon Omega in St. Louis, took over the reins of District Representative.

In April 1937, the first Missouri State Omega Conference was held on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City. The first annual conference was held a month later at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul.

By 1939, the Eighth District had evolved once more and consisted of chapters located in Missouri, Kentucky, Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota.

The District continued to grow even during the war years (World War II). Several chapters were chartered during this period (Pi Sigma - Little Rock, AR - 1941; Omicron Sigma - St. Louis - 1942; Tau Sigma - Arkansas AM&N- 1943) that would eventually become part of the Eighth District.

Lucius Jones, Tulsa engineer and newspaper publisher was approved for membership during the 31st Grand Conclave held in Washington D.C., in 1945. Jones, a native of Birmingham, would later serve as Keeper of Records and Seal for Eta Alpha chapter for more than 40 years.

The Fraternity redistricted again in 1947 and Arkansas was added to the Eighth District. The configuration would exist for another decade when the Eleventh District was eliminated, adding the states of Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa to the Eighth District. Arkansas was moved to the Ninth District. Mu Omicron, located in Des Moines, IA, was given its chartered in August 1947.

   In 1949, the first National Headquarters building in Washington D.C. was purchased. H. Carl Moultrie was selected to serve as the first National Executive Secretary.

On Nov. 30 of that year, Leon Ashford, a former student of Herman Dreer, was initiated into the Fraternity through Omicron Sigma. That same year, Beta Upsilon and Gamma Upsilon were awarded charters on successive days.

The Grand Conclave returned to the Eighth District in 1957 when it was held in St. Louis.

New Mexico was added to the Eighth District, in 1964 and thus the present configuration: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota and North Dakota. Members of Nu Rho in Albuquerque, New Mexico were awarded a chapter charter in April of that year.

Chi Phi in Denver served as host of the 49th Grand Conclave.

Edgar Burnett, an educator who had joined the Fraternity in 1951 through Omicron Sigma in St. Louis, was elected District Representative in 1967. Burnett would serve in that position for the next seven years. A year prior to Burnett leaving office, St. Louis hosted the 55th Grand Conclave.

William Bowers of Chi Phi replaced Burnett as District Representative. In 1974, Xi Pi, located in Colorado Springs, CO, was chartered.

Lynn Beckwith, who was initiated into the Fraternity on Halloween in 1958, was elected District Representative in 1975. During his three-year tenure as District Representative, Omicron Xi, organized in Kansas City, Kan., received its charter as an intermediate chapter. Phi Xi also received its charter.

The Eighth District would serve host to the Grand Conclave in 1979 - Chi Phi and in 1983, Kansas City.

The Eighth District presently is comprised of 26 graduate and undergraduate chapters. These chapters are active and participating in all phrases of Omega. Each chapter is striving for the coveted “Chapter of the Year Award.”

 

Eighth’s District Notable History

The Eighth District has played a significant role in the growth and development of the Fraternity. Four sons of Omega who have ties to the Eighth have served as Grand Basileus.

 James C. McMorries was fifth Grand Basileus and in 1914 when he along with Founder Oscar J. Cooper initiated 20 men, most of whom were seniors, into what became Beta chapter at Lincoln University (PA). McMorries authorized the establishment of the War Chapter at Fort Des Moines. McMorries later joined Eta Alpha.

Clarence F. Holmes served as the sixth Grand Basileus from 1917-1918. During his tenure, Omega was still in infancy stages, however, Holmes pushed forward with the publication of the Oracle. During his administration, the fraternity’s first official hymn, “Omega Men Draw Nigh,” was written by Otto Bohannon.

In 1914, Holmes was a co-founder of the Colorado Chapter of the NAACP. He was also a co-founder of the Interracial Cosmopolitan Club for Human Relations. He received many awards including the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

George L. Vaughn was elected the 11th Grand Baslieus in 1924. Under this leadership, the Fraternity erected and dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery, a monument in memory of Col. Charles Young. Vaughn was a well-known lawyer and civil rights activist in St. Louis. Under his leadership, the Fraternity’s observance was re-designated National Negro Achievement Week in 1925.

Vaughn was able to use his national prominence as a lawyer to advocate the establishment of the celebration in every black community. It was determined that the purpose of the celebration should be to present the important achievements of Black people which might escape public notice and thus not be properly recorded. The Fraternity hoped, in the face of public ignorance, imposed segregation through legislation, and state sanctioned private discrimination, to engender sensitivity to the potential and capabilities of Black people in this regard. In short, the national observance of Achievement Week was to inspire race pride and public appreciation of our potential as a people.

Lloyd J. Jordan, Esq. was initiated through Omicron Sigma in St. Louis on March 29, 1975. He served in a number of capacities and officers within the Eighth District and the Fraternity.

From 1985 to 1988, Jordan served as Eighth District Representative. He was later elected Grand Counselor and became the 36th Grand Basileus in 1998 at the 70th Grand Conclave in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jordan’s administration was instrumental in combating litigation resulting from illegal hazing activities, thus keeping the fraternity’s infrastructure intact. Jordan also was successful in gaining corporate sponsorships and forged relations with governmental and political organizations.

Lincoln Scott of Omicron Sigma; Samuel Johnson of Sigma Gamma and Lee Willis of Delta Delta, served as Second Grand Vice Basilei, respectfully.

 

 Former 8th DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES and their TERM OF OFFICE

 

 

District Representative

Term of Office

Chapter

 

 

 

1.       George D. Brantley

1928- 1932

Upsilon Omega

2.       J.A. Jones

1932 – 1933

Deceased

5.       Herman Dreer

1933 – 1934

Upsilon Omega

6.       Ulysses S. Donaldson

1934 – 1935

Upsilon Omega

7.       Alonzo V. Mercer 

1935 – 1936

Deceased

8.       Ulysses S. Donaldson

1936 – 1941

Upsilon Omega

            Omega goes to War II

 

 

9.       Elza H. Hunter -

1947 – 1951

Pi Sigma

10.     James  A. Harris

1951 – 1953

Tau Sigma

11.     H. Monroe Purnell

1953 – 1957

1959 - 1960

Eta Alpha

12.    Curtis C. Crawford

1957 – 1959

Upsilon Omega

13.    Harvey McDaniel

1960 – 1965

Chi Phi

14.    Alonzo Brown

1965 – 1967

Eta Alpha

15.    Edgar A. Burnett

1967 – 1974

Upsilon Omega

16.    William A. Bowers

1974 – 1975

Chi Phi

16.    Lynn Beckwith

1975 – 1978

Upsilon Omega

17.    George I. Williams 

1978 – 1979

Nu Rho

18.    Charles “BeBe” Shelton 

1979 – 1982

Upsilon Omega

19.    Jessie I. High

1982 – 1985

Omicron Xi

20.    Lloyd J. Jordan

1985 – 1988

Upsilon Omega

21.    Mandrid Williams

1988 – 1991

Beta Omega

22.    Doug Williams

1991 – 1992

Upsilon Omega

24.    Kenneth Carson

1992 – 1994

Nu Rho

24.    Delvert T. Neal

1994 – 1996

Chi Phi

25.    Robert Robinson

1996 – 1998

Eta Alpha

26.    Melvin Jenkins

1998 –2001

Beta Omega

27.    Kenneth Patterson

2001 –2003

Upsilon Omega

28.    Larry Burks Sr.

2003 –2006

Gamma Upsilon

29.    Jeffrey T. Smith

2006 –2008

Chi Phi

      30.  Glenn E. Rice

2008- present

Omicron Xi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Omega

On Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty adviser, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event occurred in the office of biology Professor Ernest E. Just, the faculty adviser, in the Science Hall (now known as Thirkield Hall). The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman. From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning "friendship is essential to the soul," the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. The phrase was selected as the motto. Manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift were adopted as cardinal principles. A decision was made regarding the design for the pin and emblem, and thus ended the first meeting of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity .

The next meeting was conducted on November 23, 1911. Edgar Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Cooper and Coleman were selected Grandkeeper of the Records (National Secretary) and Grandkeeper of Seals (National Treasurer), respectively. Eleven Howard University undergraduate men were selected as charter members.

Alpha Chapter was organized with fourteen charter members on December 15, 1911. Love, Cooper and Coleman were elected the chapter's first Basileus, Keeper of Records, and Keeper of Seals, respectively. On March 8, 1912, the previously submitted fraternity constitution was rejected by the Howard University Faculty Council. The Faculty Council proposed to accept the fraternity as a local but not a national organization. The fraternity refused acceptance as a strictly local organization.

Oscar Cooper became the fraternity's second Grand Basileus in 1912. Cooper authorized the investigation of a proposed second chapter at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Edgar Love was elected as the third Grand Basileus in 1912 and served until 1915. In 1914, Howard University withdrew its opposition, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia on October 28, 1914. Beta Chapter at Lincoln University was chartered in February, 1914. George E. Hall, the fourth Grand Basileus, had been initiated at Alpha Chapter in 1914. Grand Basileus Hall authorized the establishment of Gamma Chapter in Boston, Massachusetts. However, the chapter was eventually established during the administration of the fifth Grand Basileus, James C. McMorries. During the administration of the sixth Grand Basileus, Clarence F. Holmes, the fraternity's first official hymn, "Omega Men Draw Nigh", was written by Otto Bohannon. Raymond G. Robinson, the seventh Grand Basileus, established Delta Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee in 1919. Robinson left office in 1920 with a total of ten chapters in operation. Stanley Douglas served as Editor of the first Oracle published in the spring of 1919. Harold K. Thomas, the eighth Grand Basileus, was elected at the 1920 Nashville Grand Conclave. It was at this Conclave that Carter G. Woodson inspired the establishment of National Achievement Week to promote the study of Negro life and history. The 1921 Atlanta Grand Conclave brought to an end the first decade of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

INTERNAL GROWTH

In 1922, Grand Basileus J. Alston Atkins appointed the first District Representatives. Today, there are eleven such officers who are elected annually by the district conferences/meetings. In 1922, the office of Vice Grand Basileus was created. The Grand Keeper of Records became the Grand Keeper of the Records and Seal. The first Omega Bulletin was published in 1928. Campbell C. Johnson was the Editor. "Omega Dear" was adopted as the official hymn in 1931. Two faculty from Howard University, Charles R. Drew, Professor of Surgery, and Mercer Cook, Professor of Languages, were the composers. Cook wrote the music and first stanza; Drew wrote the last two stanzas.

THE FORTIES

The Omega "Sweetheart Song", with words and music by Don Q. Pullen, was adopted as the official sweetheart song by the 1940 Nashville Grand Conclave. Founder Ernest E. Just entered Omega Chapter in 1941. In 1941, Dr. Charles Drew perfected the use of blood plasma as a life saving tool. William Hastie resigned as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of War in protest against discrimination in the Armed Forces. He was later appointed Governor of the Virgin Islands by President Truman. In 1949, the first National Headquarters Building at 107 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. was purchased. H. Carl Moultrie, I was selected to serve as the first National Executive Secretary. In 1949, the scholarship fund was renamed the Charles R. Drew Memorial Scholarship Fund.

THE FIFTIES

During this era, the thrust was social change. Thousands of Omega men in every area of the country were actively involved in the fight to eliminate racial discrimination. An entire book could be written about this phase of Omega activities. The 1955 Los Angeles Grand Conclave initiated a program whereby each graduate chapter would purchase a Life Membership from the NAACP. Between 1955 and 1959, chapters contributed nearly $40,000 to the NAACP. In the fifties, Omega Psi Phi took an official position against hazing as a fraternity activity. This anti-hazing position remains in effect today, and the policy banning hazing has been strengthened.

THE SIXTIES

The struggle for social justice shifted into high gear. Brothers were active participants in the "sit-ins" and other demonstrations designed to call attention to the plight of black Americans. Undergraduate brothers especially were involved in the demonstrative aspect of the civil rights struggle. In 1961, the Washington, D.C. Grand Conclave did an excellent job of highlighting the fifty years of accomplishments by Omega. Brothers attended the 1961 Golden Anniversary Conclave in record numbers. Founders Love, Cooper, and Coleman were present. Thirteen of twenty-three former Grand Basilei were in attendance. Young brothers had the once-in-a-life-time opportunity to mingle with some of the greatest black men that America had produced. The Golden Anniversary Conclave authorized $140,000-$150,000 for the construction of a new National Headquarters Building in Washington, D.C. In 1964, the new National Headquarters Building was dedicated. The building was a dream come true and was the first building of its type to be built by a black fraternity. Founders Love, Cooper and Coleman participated in the ceremonies. The name was later changed to the International Headquarters. It is located at 2714 Georgia Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Robert H. Lawrence (in 1966) was selected as the first Black to serve in the Astronaut Program. Lawrence had earned a Ph.D. Degree in chemistry at Ohio State University. Founder Frank Coleman entered Omega Chapter in 1967. The 1968 Charlotte Grand Conclave mandated a Constitutional Convention for the revision of the Constitution and By-Laws as well as the Ritual. The Convention was held in Atlanta in 1969.

THE SEVENTIES

The newly revised Constitution and By-Laws and the Ritual became effective at the close of the 1970 Pittsburgh Grand Conclave. H. Carl Moultrie I, Omega's only National Executive Secretary to this point, was appointed as a judge to the Superior Court of Washington, D.C., in 1972. Moultrie's resignation was accepted with regrets. Omega conferred upon Moultrie the title of National Executive Secretary Emeritus which was later changed to Executive Secretary Emeritus. The Seventies brought more unpleasant news. Founder Oscar J. Cooper entered Omega Chapter in 1972. In 1974, Edgar A. Love, the only surviving founder, entered Omega Chapter. On November 16, 1975, an impressive granite monument was dedicated to the memory of the four founders. The monument is just a few feet away from Thirkield Hall, the site of Omega's birth place on the Howard University Campus. A revived Life Membership Program resulted in a very large number of new Life Members. The 1976 Atlanta Grand Conclave was the largest in the history of the fraternity up to that point in time. Many new undergraduate chapters were chartered, because of the increased enrollment of black students at previously all-white colleges and universities. "Operation Big Vote" was successful in getting thousands of black people to vote in the 1976 election. Many Omegas were active participants. The 1979 Denver Grand Conclave made a commitment to contribute a minimum of 250,000 dollars to the United Negro College Fund over the next five years.

THE EIGHTIES AND NINETIES

In 1981, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity endowed its first Omega Faculty Chair. Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi, was the recipient. President W.A. McMillan stated that the Chair would be used to promote the humanities. The fraternity completed its 250,000 dollars contribution to the United Negro College Fund, an organization under the direction of Christopher Edley, and approved a plan to continue the annual gift of 50,000 dollars to that organization in perpetuity. The fraternity accelerated its financial support to the National Urban League. Mr. John Jacobs, Executive Director of the Urban League, participated in Grand Conclaves on a regular basis. Jesse Jackson, former president of Operation PUSH and founder of the Rainbow Coalition, attended Grand Conclaves on a regular basis and received support for these organizations as well as for his 1984 and 1988 campaigns for the presidency of the United States.

The Seventy-fifth Anniversary Grand Conclave celebration was deemed the single most significant event on Omega's horizon. The dates selected were July 25-August 1, 1986 in Washington, D.C., the city of Omega's birth. It was the largest Conclave ever. Grand Basileus Moses C. Norman, Sr., elected at the 1984 Louisville Grand Conclave, appointed a committee to review the structure and operations of the fraternity as a means of future focus. In 1984, John S. Epps was selected as only the fifth Omega Man to wear the title of Executive Secretary. In 1990, the title was changed to Executive Director. Two revised methods of bringing members into the fraternity were approved by the organization. Pledging was abolished and the new Membership Selection and Education Program came into being on August 1, 1985. In April, 1991, the new Membership Intake Program was implemented. Initial plans were begun for the writing of an updated history of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. H. Carl Moultrie, I, Executive Secretary Emeritus and Ronald E. McNair, noted Astronaut, entered Omega Chapter. Don Q. Pullen and W. Mercer Cook also entered Omega Chapter.

Omega continued to flourish, largely because Founders Love, Cooper, Coleman and Just were men of the very highest ideals and intellect. The Founders selected and attracted men of similar ideals and characteristics. It is not by accident that many of America's great black men are/were Omega Men. To this date, there are very few Americans whose lives have not been touched by a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Omega has a rich heritage to be protected, celebrated and enhanced!
 

 FAMOUS MEN OF THE
OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.


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