Memorial Services held March 12
Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the nation’s first black
Greek-letter organization founded at a historically black college,
continued its centennial preparations by holding memorial services
last week at the gravesites of each of its four founders.
The services took place March 12 at cemeteries in Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
“These memorial services were personal, spiritual, historic and
significant journeys that each Omega takes to remind themselves of the
struggles and sacrifices each of our Founders endured to give birth to
our great organization,” said Dr. Andrew A. Ray, the fraternity’s 39th
Grand Basileus.
Omega Psi Phi was founded Nov. 17, 1911 on the campus of Howard
University by three undergraduate students – Edgar A. Love, Oscar J.
Cooper and Frank Coleman with the assistance of faculty advisor,
Ernest E. Just.
The Fraternity will celebrate its 100th anniversary July 27-31 in
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Washington D.C. More than 25,000 fraternity members are expected to
attend the celebration.
During Saturday’s memorial services, fraternity members paid
tribute to each of their founding members. Ceremonial and historical
reflections were read and floral wreathes were laid at each headstone.
Descendants of three of the founders attended the ceremonies and
were presented plaques on behalf of the Fraternity.
“As we close our first century of service, Omega continues to stand
firm on the principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and
uplift,” Ray said.
Omega was forged by the friendship shared by its founders. The
fraternity’s mission is to uplift the downtrodden of society and serve
as a powerful influence in the lives of African-Americans.
Each of the founders had very distinguished careers in their chosen
fields: Edgar A. Love became a Methodist bishop; Oscar Cooper
practiced medicine in Philadelphia for over 50 years; Frank Coleman
became the chairman of the Department of Physics at Howard University
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and Dr. Ernest E. Just became a world-renowned biologist and a
recipient of the first prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal.
Noteworthy Omegas include: Charles R. Drew, Langston Hughes,
Benjamin E. Mays, Percy Julian, Ronald McNair, Charles Bolden and
Congressman James Clyburn.
Approximately 120,000 men have been initiated into Omega Psi Phi
since its founding. A consortium of graduate and undergraduate
chapters in the Washington D. C. area is sponsoring the centennial
celebration.
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