40's

BETA 

 

Beta Chapter initiated seven Lampados in 1940 to usher in the new decade of fraternal history.

The brothers still took pride in their Achievement Week programming. This year’s guest

speaker was Bro. William Hastie, Dean of Howard University Law School. Bro. Langston

Hughes had just published his autobiography “The Big Sea” in which he recounts his life and reflects

on his time at Lincoln University and Beta Chapter. In 1941 Beta held its annual banquet

welcoming home all brothers. Bro. Rominus Stokes was Basileus and Bro. Roscoe L. Browne was

Keeper of Records and Seals. The brothers had become synonymous with athletic by the early

1940s and had won several intramural titles in football and baseball.

 

Nationally, America was in the midst of a war and everyone had to do their part. Many of

the brothers of Omega Psi Phi were service men and were being called to service for their country.

Omega supported the war effort and even went as far as creating a National Action Committee to

map out a plan of action for general problems in the fraternity that would arise during this time.

Additionally, in 1947 Omega called for a push for civil rights form the United States of America

and even sent declarations to the President denouncing segregation in the military.

 

1946 saw BetaChapter attend the 33rd Grand Conclave in Fort Worth, Texas. Bro. Matthews, delegate for BetaChapter, worked with the undergraduate committee to plan future intercollegiate procedures.

The brothers also extended a helping hand to Bill Ellis an African American student from Harvard

University that was stricken with tuberculosis in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Beta brothers

lead a donation drive and garnered the campus’ support in the effort. The brothers of Beta

were also working hard to restore the Pan-Hellenic council to further inter-fraternal collaboration

on Lincoln’s campus. These programs all helped to support the annual Beta Ball that was held in

Philadelphia. It was looked as one of the prominent social events for African American college

youth. As one can see, the brothers continued to produce meaningful programs during this delicate

time all the while fulfilling the goals and objectives of our beloved fraternity.