History of the New Jersey chapters
By Steve Barnes
Upsilon Phi 1970
1970 began an important page in the history of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. It was the beginning of our expansion onto predominately white college and university campuses across America. African American students had high hopes and aspirations for themselves as well as their futures. For most Individuals it was best of times. For many students they were first to attend college in their families. Many African American students were seeking outCampus organizations they could identify with and be a part of other their designated Black Student Unions. They were craving recognition and demanded to have viable courses that reflected our heritage. Pressure was placed on many university and college administrations and many African American Studies Programs began to appear nationwide with qualified black professors to teach these courses.
Enter Upsilon Phi Chapter (the mother pearl of New Jersey) which is the oldest graduate chapter established on October 22, 1927 which has served the Greater Newark area for over 80 years.
In 1969, Upsilon Phi made a commitment to bring the undergraduate experience to Northern New Jersey in hopes of establishing undergraduate chapters on three major campuses Rutgers University – Newark Campus, Kean College (formerly Newark State College) and Seton Hall University. The chapter sought out “men of like attainment and the same ideas” Up to that point there were no undergraduate chapters in the area. However, in 1970 Iota Gamma succeeded in becoming the first undergraduate chartered chapter in southern New Jersey.
It is important to understand that college black Greek life was relatively non-existent in New Jersey at the time. A few students had family members, relatives, teachers, doctors, lawyers and community leaders that pledged Greek organization but at black colleges and that’s what they knew and heard of their experiences. What Upsilon Phi Chapter lacked was raw talent until 1969.
The driving force came from one man Dr. Wilmoth F. Roberts (Pi Chapter) Director of EOF (Equal Opportunity Fund). Upsilon Phi conducted interviews at the Newark YMCA during the summer of 1969 and the final selection of young men from Rutger-Newark, Kean College and Seton Hall University were inducted into the Lampados Club in September. After a arduous ordeal 11 months later 9 undergraduate men emerged (Ernest Summers (Seton Hall), Stephen J Barnes (Rutgers -Newark), Charles Boyd (Kean College), William J. Malone (Omega Chapter Seton Hall), Aaron Sawyer ( Kean College), Michael Davis (Rutgers -Newark), Kenneth Naylor (Seton Hall), Robert Walker (Rutgers -Newark) and Michael Daniels – A &T University) were in initiated on October 10, 1970. Also, there was a additional line of 2 men Ronald Franklin (Kean College), Charles Dickerson (Rutgers-Newark) initiated in September.
Our task was still unfulfilled and the there was a long journey ahead before our goal was to achieved. 1971 expanded out brotherhood to 12 members who were known as “The 12 Angry Men” with Bro Norman E. Franklin as there Dean of Pledgees. 1972 saw nine more members that were dubbed “The Phantom 9” with Bro Thomas Jones as there Dean of Pledgees.
Moving ahead to 1973 this is where things came together with “The Saints 13 Sinners” with Brother Steve Barnes as there Dean of Pledgees. With some members from this line and existing Brothers on Kean College’s campus Rho Zeta was chartered November 1973. In 1974 “The 15 Ways of Death” gave us more members with Bro. Otis Hall as Dean of Pledgees and in 1975 we said the last of the early 70’s lines “The Last 14” with Bro. Joseph Rouse, Sr. as Dean of Pledgees. Tau Zeta Rutgers- Livingston gained its charter not long after that with Kappa Eta Chartered in February 1976
Was our long journey worth it …. by all means ….Less we forget those that have fallen from our ranks and entered Omega Chapter…. remember them always for Friendship Is Essential To Soul.
Steve Barnes Upsilon Phi 1970