The History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Celebrating 100 Years
On Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three undergraduate students at Howard University in Washington, D.C., 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 for Omega Psi Phi. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were adopted as our Cardinal Principles. On this same occasion, these men discussed the design for a pin and emblem, and thus ended the first meeting of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
As a result of this historic beginning, Omega Psi Phi was the first black fraternity founded at an historically black college or university. Since 1911, the Fraternity has initiated more than 140,000 men worldwide and has nearly 700 chapters in all parts of the world including the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Japan, and Panama.
Additionally, Omega Psi Phi has several nationally-mandated programs geared to aiding downtrodden members of society and uplifting all of mankind. These programs include the following:
Omega men pride themselves on being leaders in all fields of human endeavor and hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence. The list of noteworthy men of Omega from these and other fields of endeavor is endless. It includes:
· Dr. Charles Drew (discovered blood plasma)
· William “Count” Basie (musician)
· Langston Hughes (poet)
· Dr. Carter G. Woodson (educator)
· Robert Weaver (first African American to serve in presidential Cabinet post, Johnson Administration)
· Dr. Benjamin E. Mays (educator/author)
· Dr. Ronald E. McNair ( astronaut, died in Challenger accident in 1986)
· L. Douglas Wilder (former Virginia Governor)
· Rev. Jesse Jackson
· Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Jr.(astronaut and current NASA Administrator)
· Vernon Jordan (political activist)
· Bill Cosby (actor-comedian)
· Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens General Manager
· Michael Jordan (pro basketball legend)
General William"Kip" Ward (U.S. Army, Ret.)
Omega continued to flourish, largely because Founders Just, Love, Cooper and Coleman 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 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.
As a result of this historic beginning, Omega Psi Phi was the first black fraternity founded at an historically black college or university. Since 1911, the Fraternity has initiated more than 140,000 men worldwide and has nearly 700 chapters in all parts of the world including the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Japan, and Panama.
Additionally, Omega Psi Phi has several nationally-mandated programs geared to aiding downtrodden members of society and uplifting all of mankind. These programs include the following:
- Achievement Week·
- National Social Action Program
- Talent Hunt Program
- Assault on Illiteracy Program
- National High School Essay Contest
- United Negro College Fund
- Scholarship
- Reclamation
- Memorial Service
- South Africa Project
- Senior Citizens Project
- Perpetuation of the Black Male Project
- Habitat for Humanity Project
Omega men pride themselves on being leaders in all fields of human endeavor and hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence. The list of noteworthy men of Omega from these and other fields of endeavor is endless. It includes:
· Dr. Charles Drew (discovered blood plasma)
· William “Count” Basie (musician)
· Langston Hughes (poet)
· Dr. Carter G. Woodson (educator)
· Robert Weaver (first African American to serve in presidential Cabinet post, Johnson Administration)
· Dr. Benjamin E. Mays (educator/author)
· Dr. Ronald E. McNair ( astronaut, died in Challenger accident in 1986)
· L. Douglas Wilder (former Virginia Governor)
· Rev. Jesse Jackson
· Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Jr.(astronaut and current NASA Administrator)
· Vernon Jordan (political activist)
· Bill Cosby (actor-comedian)
· Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore Ravens General Manager
· Michael Jordan (pro basketball legend)
General William"Kip" Ward (U.S. Army, Ret.)
Omega continued to flourish, largely because Founders Just, Love, Cooper and Coleman 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 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.
