Gamma Chapter History

As an initiate of Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. one can’t help but wonder…what it must have been like for Bishop Edgar Amos Love when he authorized the founding of Gamma Chapter at Boston University December 13, 1916. In 1916 Bishop Love was attending Boston University School of Theology. He graduated with his Bachelors of Theology in 1918 (See picture left). We can only imagine the courage that it took to travel from Howard University, over 200 miles north from the segregated south, to attend a Northern University at a time when African-American graduate school enrollees were not common in northern cities. Not to mention the fact that Bishop Edgar Amos Love had recently co-founded his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc just five years earlier at the mother pearl at Howard University. At Gamma chapter we can’t help but wonder what was on his mind as he got on that train and headed north to Boston. Boston University has had a rich history of educating African-Americans even when many schools in America were segregated and did not admit African _American students. There is no doubt that this must have been a very daunting task to undertake. If many of us today were entering graduate school we would certainly be focused on ourselves, our education and our future careers. Yet Bishop Love along with, four other brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (R. Andrews – originally Alpha Chapter, O.L. Johnson originally Alpha Chapter, A.L. Wallace charter member Beta Chapter and A.S. Beasley charter member Beta chapter ) lived unselfishly. They took the time to spread the gift of friendship in Boston by founding Gamma Chapter, one month and five years and four days after our first Founders Day.

Authorized on December 13 1916, Gamma Chapter just recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary with great pride and celebration. In 1996 Gamma chapter, like many of our fraternity’s single letter chapters fell inactive. Yet through the tireless efforts of many brothers young and old it is with great enthusiasm and uncontrollable joy; that we submit to you that Gamma chapter has been REACTIVATED. Twelve brothers, thoroughly immersed in the true Omega spirit, have gained financial status in the chapter, thus lifting it out of its inactive state. The members consist of past Gamma undergraduates who were either reclaimed or transferred from their current chapter into Gamma. Brother Claude Tolbert (Spring 92) vigorously worked with first district executive team, and architected the path to reinstatement. It is now up to us, to make sure Gamma chapter reclaims its greatness. We seek no man, but what we do seek are those unconquerable souls who are not afraid to uphold principles of high character and unshakeable integrity. Bringing new undergraduate members into Gamma chapter will be a challenging process. This process will be rooted in our four cardinal principals. Our chapter mission centers around reestablishing our presence in the Boston area through planned social events and community outreach... Our intent is to restore the legacy of Gamma leadership in Boston and to attract quality undergraduate members to continue the tradition begun December 13, 1916. We at Gamma Chapter still wonder about what our beloved founders thought, planned and believed we should exemplify as true men of Omega. As Bishop Love stated “ First and foremost a Que must be a man of sterling worth…” Bishop Edgar Amos Love in a letter to William James, as Bishop of United Methodist Church in Baltimore, .November 7, 1963. I know that he is delighted that he took the time to live unselfishly and to challenge other men to do so. If you have ever had the opportunity to visit Gamma chapter you know our monarch “GAMMA CHAPTER, NO QUESTION!” There is no question that our beloved founder, Bishop Edgar Amos Love’s legacy continues on.