A HISTORY OF CHI OMICRON CHAPTER 1922 TO PRESENT

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The history of the Chi Omicron Chapter dates back to 1922, when four (4) undergraduate Brothers founded Chi Chapter, bringing Omega to the New Haven area eleven (11) years after the founding of the national Fraternity in Washington D. C., on the campus of Howard University. 

 

Those four diligent Brothers were J. Alston Atkins and Charles A. Chandler of Delta Chapter, Mifflin T. Gibbs of Alpha Chapter and LeRoy K. Pierce of Gamma Chapter. Meeting at 43 Townsend Street in New Haven, those four Brothers set the tone for the establishment of the Omega Brotherhood and influence on the New Haven scene which scanned more than 50 years. 

 

On June 11, 1922 Chi Chapter was granted an undergraduate charter from the National Office of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. making Chi Chapter the second such undergraduate Chapter in the New England region. 

 

Brother Atkins was elected the first Basileus of Chi Chapter, while he was a student at the Yale University Law School. In 1923, Brother Atkins was elected Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. According to Omega History, Brother Atkins is listed as the Ninth Grand Basileus, serving in that capacity from 1921 to 1923, when his unexpired term was filled by Brother John W. Love. Another Brother, who was affiliated with Chi Chapter, Julius McClain, of St. Louis also distinguished himself by being elected as Grand Basileus of the Fraternity in 1926. In addition, one of the early Editors of the Oracle(our official publication), Brother Walter H. Mazyck, also served as Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, and Editor of the Oracle in 1923, during Brother Atkins’ administration. 

 

Brother Gibbs also distinguished himself by being elected First Grand Basileus in 1939. A number of well-known, at the time, Brothers were affiliated with the early beginnings of the Chi Chapter. These included W. Stuart Nelson, a member of Howard University’s faculty and editor of the Oracle: Mazyck, McClain; John W. Work, Jr. of Delta Chapter and the faculty of Fisk University’s Music School. Other Brothers who were affiliated with Chi Chapter included Edward B. Carroll of Morgan State College, Allen P, Turner, Chi Omega Chapter, Thomasville, Ga.; William Purdy, Beta Chapter, Lincoln University; Cato Baskerville, Chi Chapter, and Thomas Bowman, Chi Chapter. 

 

Not only did Chi Chapter serve the New Haven area, but it also reached out throughout the state with a number of Brothers from other parts of the state affiliating with Chi Chapter. Some of these Brothers were J. Carl Cantyh, Drawled Jackson and Dr. Fritz Hinckson, all of Hartford; John Lancaster, Dr. Thomas Gibbs, and Dr. F. MacCalla, all of Bridgeport, Raymond Gardineer of Bridgeport; Dr. Carter Marshall and Flemming Norcott Sr., both of New Haven; Dr. Melvin Davis, Sigma Chapter, Chicago, Ill.; George Cunningham, Beta Chapter, Lincoln University; Dr. Samuel G. Forman, Dr. Fritz Sealy, and Dr. Herman A. Scott Sr., all of New Haven. 

While many Brothers, during the early years, were affiliated with Chi Chapter, records of the Chapter meetings indicated that usually 10 to 12 Brothers regularly attended Chapter meetings, with the Chapter’s membership numbering on the average about 15 Brothers in any given year. 

 

In addition to a variety of civic foundations, Chi Chapter also helped organize the Phi Club, comprised of members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities. The Phi Club usually provided the entertainment for out of town guests attending Yale-Harvard football game in Yale Bowl, during that big college weekend. And, according to Chi records, these social gatherings were well attended affairs. 

 

Chi Chapter was active until 1929, when the Great Depression hit the country, forcing members to lose interest in fraternal affairs because of the necessity to survive the Depression. 

Once the Depression ended and the country was getting back on it feet, Chi Chapter, which had become inactive, in 1936 petitioned the national office for reinstatement in the Fraternity. But, according to chapter records, this communication with the National Office was never answered. 

 

Nevertheless, the seeds of Omega was sown and the roots would once again rise and flower for all the world to see. That rise began anew in 1945, when Brothers Edward Banks and William Bright considered the idea of forming a new Q Chapter in New Haven. Both men began by contacting other Omega men they knew in the area. Their search turned up the following Brothers: Jesse Bright, Dr. Herman A. Scott Sr., Dr. Carter Marshall, Dr. Samuel G. Foreman, Flemming Norcott, Sr. and LeRoy K. Pierce. In their diligent research these Brothers learned that Chi Chapter had been granted an undergraduate chapter at Yale University at Yale University, but was inactive. Their next step was to locate the Keeper of Records and Seal’s books and reactivate the Chapter. This they did with the above named individuals. However, as an undergraduate Chapter the Brothers were only permitted to initiate undergraduates into the Fraternity, with Yale being the only College in Chi’s jurisdiction that was recognized by the National Office. During that time such institutions as New Haven College, New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State) Quinnipiac College, as well as Pace College in Waterbury were all two-year institutions and the National Office refused to recognize them. In addition, the National Office also refused to recognize such institutions as Bridgeport University and Fairfield University so that Chi Chapter could out to young men at these institutions who wanted to enter Omega. Thus the Brothers had to reach out around the state seeking other graduate Brothers to affiliate with the Chapter. Thus, the Brothers sought out Brother John Lancaster and Raymond Gardineer, both of whom had been affiliate with Chi Chapter during its early beginnings as well as to Gerald Clark II, all of Bridgeport. Also, they contacted Brothers Dr. Horace Lovelace and King David Holmes of Waterbury, and a Dr. Johnson of Norwalk. 

 

Still, though, the Chapter was unable to initiate graduates into the Fraternity and the only way the Chapter could expand was to apply for a Graduate Chapter charter. This was undertaken in 1947 and shortly thereafter, Chi Omicron was granted a Graduate Chapter charter by the National Office. The members of Chi Omicron were: John Tad Lancaster, Basileus; Edward Banks, Vice Basileus; William Bright, KRS; Jesse Bright, KF; and member Dr. Carter Marshall, Flemming Norcott, Sr., LeRoy K. Pierce, Dr. Herman Lovelace; King David Holmes; Gerald Clark II; and Raymond Gardineer. The period from 1947 to early 1960’s was one of prosperity for Chi Omicron on the New Haven scene and within the First District, as the Chapter flourished, it hosted the First District Conference in 1959, 1963 and in 1970. 

 

Members in the Chapter during the 1960’s and ‘70’s had at that time distinguished themselves both in civic and fraternal life. Several Brothers served in the capacity of First District Representative, including Brother Theodore F. Hogan Jr., the Rev. Dr. Edwin R. Edmonds, and the late J.O. Catalan for who the District Scholar Award is named. Brother Samuel Burrell was appointed executive director of the Central YMCA in New Haven, while Brother Edward Cherry, who also served as the chairman of the fraternity’s national housing authority is a nationally recognized architect; Brother Herbert R. Scott served as District Counselor; Brother William Ramsey served as Judge in the Court of Common Pleas; and Chi Omicron Basileus Frank L. Beck was chosen District Scholar of the Year in 1976. 

 

The first 70 years of Chi and Chi Omicron Chapters on the New Haven scene have not been without their trials, but like the cream that rises to the top the Roots of Omega, too, sprout the fruits of the labors of Omega men who have make Chi Omicron what it is today, an organization committed to the very best of the ideals that espouse our Fraternity’s Cardinal Principles; Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. ​