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| More Eta Psi History | ||||||||
| The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University, Washington, D.C. by three undergraduate men - Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman, in company with Professor Ernest .E. Just.� These men, having thoroughly gone over the situation, saw keenly the necessity of such a movement, and established the first, or "mother" chapter of a Greek-letter fraternity to be founded at a Negro institution. The principles upon which this fraternity is based are set forth in four words:�� "Manhood," "Scholarship," "Perseverance," and "Uplift." | ||||||||
| It was February 6, 1914 before the second chapter was founded at Lincoln University. Founding father Oscar J. Cooper initiated 20 men who became the charter members of the beta chapter. In that group of charter members from Beta, some would carry out the program of expansion.� Raymond G. Robinson, who would later become Grand Basileus, was instrumental in this process.� Request for the establishment of chapters came with considerable regularity from the South, North, and Middle West, however, many factors united to curb expansion: | ||||||||
| 1) The brothers wanted to maintain high standards and select only outstanding men, [of high moral character and a scholastic average of 80%] | ||||||||
| 2)Faculties were still generally opposed to the establishment of fraternities on college campuses, | ||||||||
| 3) In the South this was compounded; not only was the faculty strongly opposed, but also standards of scholarship were generally low. Where standards were high, as at Fisk, the faculty was most opposed to the establishment of a college fraternity. | ||||||||
| Brothers targeted Fisk, as they deemed it key for westward expansion due to its location but specifically because of its high academic standards. However, the entrance of America into the World War in April 1917 upset the growth of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. | ||||||||
| Omega would establish the first of the War Chapters at Fort Des Moines under permission of Grand Basileus McMorris. Carter G. Wesley of Fisk University was initiated into this chapter and would later return to Fisk.� (The iron "bell" that resides at Fisk University between New Livingston and Dubois Halls stands as testament of the generosity of Bro. Carter G. Wesley "17). October 15, 1917 with the close of the camp, the war chapter at Fort Des Moines surrendered its charter to the Grand Chapter. Enthusiasm from the fellowship and brotherhood witnessed at Fort Des Moines sparked interest to establish a second war chapter at Camp Howard.� This chapter initiated 27 men from 8 different colleges: 3 from Atlanta, 3 from Biddle, 6 from Fisk, 1 from Morehouse, 3 from Shaw, 5 from Talladega, 3 from Virginia Union and 3 from West Virginia. In September 1918, the Howard War Chapter surrendered its charter and those who had been in training were sent by the army to their respective schools to become assistant instructors in military science. | ||||||||
| On January 27, 1919, Raymond G. Robinson came to Nashville to establish Delta Chapter with twenty men, including 5 members already at Fisk.� Although it was reported in the 1st Oracle� "the broadest field of operation is the South" The formation of Delta chapter at Fisk University has opened the gateway to the South", there was still substantial discord with the administration at Fisk. Consequently, Delta chapter was chartered to the Meharry School of Medicine due to the lack of dispensation by Fisk administration.� Delta was responsible for making brothers at Fisk and Tennessee A&I (Tennessee State University). | ||||||||
| Omega Men of Fisk University and Tennessee A&I College in company with William Gilbert, a charter Member of the "mother" chapter, founded Eta Psi Chapter April 28, 1926.� Later, 1928, the charter was revised to leave only Fisk students. | ||||||||
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