On November 23, 1911, in Thirkield Hall, Love became the first Grand Basileus (National President). Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles. Ernest Everett Just.įrom the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, “friendship is essential to the soul,” the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. Joining them was their faculty adviser, Dr. The founders were three Howard University undergraduates, - Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, and Frank Coleman.
Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college.
