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Iota Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
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Fraternity History

 

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!
 

 

 

Iota Nu Charter members

Bro. Charles Alston

Bro. William Brown

Bro. John Carter

Bro. Offie Clark

Bro. James Emanuel

Bro. Frederick Gaskins

Bro. Brennie Hackley

Bro. John Hawkins

Bro. Julius Jones

Bro. Raymond Lehrman

Bro. Melvin McGee

Bro. James W. Monroe

Bro. Newton Rucker

Bro. William Scott

Bro. Robert Smith

Bro. Russell Stansbury

Bro. Weldon Willoughby

Bro. Leroy Woods

Iota Nu History

The initial steps in the creation of the Iota Nu Chapter in Harford County, MD took place on a cool, calm evening in January of 1969. Bro.Charles Alston Sr. and Bro. Newton Rucker, met in the basement of Bro. Charles Alston’s home to formally implement a plan to establish an Omega Psi Phi chapter in Harford County. Prior to moving to Harford County, Bro. Alston and Bro. Rucker were actively involved in the Pi Omega chapter in Baltimore, MD.Once in Harford County, these distinguished gentlemen identified a need for an Omega presence in the area. They decided to start seeking out fellow fraternity brothers, hoping that a new chapter would encourage more fellowship amongst Omega men in the area and also foster a sense of urgency to actively engage the youth in the area. Bro. Alston and Bro. Newton successfully recruited 16 men thoroughly immersed in the true Omega spirit. They met as often as possible to fellowship while laying the groundwork for the establishment of Iota Nu. These men of similar interests and ideas, worked diligently to complete the work necessary for Iota Nu’s birth. Bro. James Monroe initiated the process and with the blessing of Grand Basileus Ellis Corbett Iota Nu’s charter application wasofficially submitted in 1970. Subsequently, Iota Nu’s application was approved and on the glorious day of January 28, 1970, Iota Nu became an official chapterof the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The culmination of the vision of these brothers came into reality on March 14, 1970 at St. John’s Episcopal Church inHavre De Grace, MD. On this day Iota Nu’s charter was officially presented by the District Representative Dr. Norman Johnson at 6pm.

Dormant Period
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the largest employer in Harford County, has proven to be a vital resource in which current fraternity members join Iota Nu as well prospective candidates are initiated into our glorious organization through the Iota Nu chapter. During the initial establishment of the chapter, many of its initial members were stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The blessing of APG as a resource for new members also provided some challenges as chapter members were called to serve the country in areas outside of Harford County. In the 80s and 90s the number of new members brought into the chapter did not keep pace with the number of members that left the chapter through relocation or otherwise. As a result of constant military attrition,Iota Nu made the decision to become a dormant chapter in 1999. This period of dormancy remained in effect for 4 years.
Reactivation
In the fall of 2003, there were 22 local active brothers able to participate in chapter events and the decision was made to reactivate the Iota Nu chapter. The initial meetings in the fall of 2003 took place in the Edgewood Housing Auditorium. At the initial meeting held in the fall of 2003, Iota Nu officers were elected for the following positions: Bro. Walter Eugene Egerton-Basileus , Bro. Alfred Abramson- Vice Basileus, Bro. WindsorJones-Keeper of Records and Seal, and Bro. David White-Keeper of Finance. These elections ensured Iota Nu had representation at the 56th District Conference in 2004. Once the decision to restart the chapter was made, Iota Nu’s leadership decided to remake the image of the chapter by:
  • Becoming involved in annual book donations to local libraries in Harford County
  • Becoming a committed partner with Habitat for Humanity in Harford County
  • Becoming an active participant in church visits accompanied by donations.
  • Raising scholarship funds for graduating minorities in the Harford County

Iota Nu has made numerous contributions since being reactivated.Some of those uplifting contributions include:

  • A 400% increase in chapter revenue under from 2003-2006, leading to an increase in scholarships.
  • Recognized at the 2005 District Conference, as the fastest growing small chapter in the second district
  • Increasing footprint into Cecil County through social action programs 
     Below lists significant activities and the growth of the chapter during the following decades:
             70's: Mardi Gras 
             80's: Omega Weekend
             90's dormant period
             00's: Harford County Public Library Book Dedication, Holiday Baskets/Adopt-a-family during Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays, Talent Hunt, Toys -for-Tots ,Habitat for Humanity, Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs, Harford County Park Clean- up, Iota Nu Uplift Foundation.

            10's: Veterans day fellowship with local Veterans, National High School Essay Contest, Annual Charles Drew Blood Drive, Juneteenth Celebration and education to youth, Highway Clean-up, Health Fair, Mentor Program with local Community Center, Partnership with local Rotary clubs, Operation Warm Coat Drive, becoming the graduate chapter to McDaniel College.
 
 
Since 1970, Iota Nu has been committed to service in Harford County, specifically service to the young men and women of the community.  Iota Nu has grown leaps and bounds from its inception in 1970 and continues its growth as we enter in the next millennium.  Uplifting the youth was and continues to be our primary vision.
 
Iota Nu: The Only Chapter "IN" Omega!!!!
 

 

McDaniel College

In April 2016, four undergraduate men from McDanial College in Westminster, MD were initiated into the Iota Nu Chapter. Marquise Findley-Smith, Wayne Long, Martray McKesson, and Michael Wright were initiated along with two graduate men, Edwin Kolen and Norbert Reed.