Omega Psi Phi Celebrates 100 Years

On Nov. 17, the first fraternity founded at an Historically Black College University will be the third fraternity of the Divine Nine along with Alpha Phi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi, to hit the century mark.

This past summer, from July 23 to 27, Omega Psi Phi had its Conclave in D.C. where it welcomed more than 10,000 members of the fraternity from over 700 chapters.

Three Howard juniors, Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman, along with their faculty advisor Dr. Ernest Everett Just, founded Omega Psi Phi on Nov. 17, 1911.

Upon graduation, the founders went on to have successful careers in their respective fields. Love became Bishop of the United Methodist Church, Cooper became a successful physician in Philadelphia, practicing for over 50 years. Coleman became the chairman of the department of physics here at Howard and Just became an internationally revered biologist.

On founders' day, Alpha Chapter will host their re-dedication program at 7 p.m. in Cramton and screen in real time in the Blackburn Ballroom to accommodate any overflow. The event is only for members of Omega Psi Phi. After the event, members will gather at the founders' monument in the Valley to celebrate with each other.

In light of the fraternity's centennial, more than 3,500 members of Omega Psi Phi are expected to be on campus and in D.C.

Reggie Dozier, senior business management major and Alpha Chapter National Pan-Hellenic Council judiciary board representative, has been preparing for this weekend with his other brothers since their initiation in the spring of 2011. For Dozier, all of the tireless hours were worth being part of history.

"Being a neophyte during the centennial year is more than a privilege, it's an honor," Dozier said. "It's also a lot of work, but I feel fortunate to join Omega Psi Phi 100 years after it was founded and to be on the same campus it was founded. Only 11 other people can say the same thing."

After celebrating the fraternity's 100 years, Alpha Chapter will have their own celebration banquet. The event will take place on Dec. 15, where they will have their Charter Day Celebration honoring the history of the chapter. The banquet will take place in Blackburn, where members will recognize contributions of brothers to Alpha Chapter, fellowship with one another and celebrate the Mother Pearl's Centennial.