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Official Newsletter of Gamma Pi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Basileus Gordon Everett

www.gammapi.org

When the Founders of this great Fraternity brought it to life, one of the foremost things in their minds was the role that Omega Psi Phi Fra-ternity, Inc. would play in building and maintaining progress and opportunity in the African American com-munity. Hence the Cardinal Principle of Uplift.

Just, Love, Cooper and Coleman did not come to this thinking lightly about community service. They

purposely weaved the obli-gation to community service into the Four Cardinal Prin-ciples. They knew that given the challenges around the turn of the century, black men – those special black men who had he qualities befitting Omega Psi Phi –

would be the linchpin of hope and promise for the greater African American community through not only Uplift, but Manhood, Scholarship, and Persever-ance as well. We stand at that same doorstep today in Omega Psi Phi as we enter the next 100 years of our Fraternity. I believe the yearlong celebration of Omega Psi Phi’s 100 year anniversary in 2011 was about recasting our role in the community. The question for every chapter and every member

(see BASILEUS on page 8)

From the Basileus

For the first time ever, Gamma Pi was home to a sitting District Represen-tative, Brother Kenneth Rodgers, who was elected to his second term just three months before the Centennial program. The chapter had the second highest registration among all chapters na-tionwide attending the Centennial. And the year

of the Centennial hap-pened to be the year that

(see CENTENNIAL on page 10)

Reflecting on the Founders: Remaining Relevant Today

Gamma Pi Gazette

A Historic Time for Gamma Pi at a Historic Time for Omega Psi Phi When Gamma Pi Brothers look back over the Centennial Year of 2011, they will remem-ber that Gamma Pi was “anywhere and every-where.” The Super Chapter arrived at the Centennial observance with some truly historic accomplishments that played out with high visibility for the chapter. Interestingly, the Centen-nial came for Gamma Pi at the most prolific time in the chap-

ter’s 38-year history. It could not have come at a better time for The Super Chapter.

Winter 2011-12

Volume 5, Issue 2

GP ON DECK: • BIG GAME PARTY—

FEBRUARY 5 @ CLUB ELITE (TEMPLE HILLS)

• ANNUAL TALENT HUNT—

MARCH 10 @ C..H. FLOWERS HIGH SCHOOL

• MARDI GRAS “EVENING

AT THE COTTON CLUB” - MARCH 16 @ MARTIN’S CROSSWINDS

Bro. Roland Byrd Talks About “Love for Omega”

2

Gamma Pi Hauls in Centennial Awards and Recognitions

3

Photo Collection: Brothers Reminiscing on their Early Days in Omega

4-7

Q&A with Bro. James E. Wyatt, a 62-year Member of Omega Psi Phi

8-9

Inside this issue:

Gamma Pi Brothers at Centennial

Centennial Commemorative Edition

Insight: A Stalwart Member Shares His Love for “Omega at 100”

when they created the Frater-nity. During my tenure with the Fraternity, I have worked for and served Omega by living its creed and motto daily. Additionally, I con-stantly review the Frater-nity’s history and ritual pos-ture to keep abreast of that with which I am proudly as-sociated.

Although I have given a lot to Omega, my mem-bership in Omega has given me just as much or, in many instances, more. This mem-bership has granted me many relation-ships and opportu-nities that I would not have had. Con-sequently, my as-sociation with

Omega has allowed me to have the Fra-

ternity’s Founders as role models. Through their accomplishments and deeds, as with me, they have mentored Omega men in both their personal and professional lives.

As I have tried to follow the examples of the Founders, I have had the pleasure of earning several recognitions from the Fraternity. The greatest of these honors were my “Founder Stand-In” award from the Second District, as well as being the recipient of the Frater-nity’s Founders Award on both the Chapter and District levels. To be recognized in the image of Omega’s Founders is a milestone and a monumental highlight of a

member’s fraternal life. The greatness of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is due not only to the quality of its members, but it is also due to the members’ commit-ment to service as provided through the Fraternity. One’s re-sponsibility to Omega, thus, is to help strengthen the Fraternity and to sustain its existence in the man-ner that the Founders would want it to be.

As I continue to live and breathe Omega, and this shall be until the day I die, I give thanks to Edgar A. Love, Frank Coleman, Oscar J. Cooper, and Ernest E. Just for creating our dear Fraternity. Long live the Omega Psi Phi Fra-ternity, Inc.

The Gazette Staff Public Relations Committee

—————

James Alexander, Jr. (Editor); Brett Blake; Charles Casteel, Jr.; Dwayne e Ford; Wesley Jarmon; Roland Jones; Anthony Kelly; Al Williams, DDS; Steven Walls; Marcus Whitfield.

Photos: David Sierra , Donald Cook; Thaddeus Turner, Dr. Harrison Foy

T he Omega Psi Phi Frater-nity was introduced to the world on November 17, 1911. As Omega reaches

its 100th year, I will have been a member of this Fraternity for 40 years. It is an honor and privilege to be associated with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, an organization that was founded by four remarkable

individuals and that promotes cardi-nal principles of MANHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, PERSEVER-ANCE, and UPLIFT. It is because of its history that I give of myself to Omega. Thus, my time in Omega has become a “way of life”.

In joining the Fraternity, in the beginning a member may not fully know that which he has become a part. To gain a true understanding of fraternal life and one’s obligation to it, the fraternity member must gain an appreciation of the Frater-nity’s history and traditions, and he must get to know the Founders, un-derstanding what they were attempt-ing to do during the period of time

Gamma Pi Gazette Volume 5, Issue 2

By Brother Roland Byrd

Brother Byrd (holding shield at right) in the 1970s

Bro. Byrd addressing students

Many Gamma Pi Brothers Honored at the Centennial


The Omega Psi Phi Cen-tennial will be marked for Gamma Pi chapter by a size-able haul of awards garnered by Brothers fin the chapter. During the week of the Centennial, a long line of Gamma Pi men walked to the front of the stage, shook hands with the Grand Basil-eus and posed for the cam-era. These were proud mo-ments for Gamma Pi—The Super Chapter.

A select group of Brothers re-ceived distinguished Century of Excellence awards for work in their professions. Others re-ceived coveted service pins.

These awards were among the highlights of the entire weeklong celebration.

What capped off the awards nicely for Gamma Pi was seeing our own, Brother Kenneth Rod-gers, Second District Representa-tive, front and centre throughout the whole week acting in his of-ficial capacity

Century of Excellence

Mickey Burnim, Ph.D. Luther Burse, Ph.D

Teddy Taylor Rushern Baker

50-Year Pins James E. Jones Roland Penn

40-Year Pins Roland Byrd Charles Mays

Joshua Roberson Dillard Rowe

Gordon Sampson Terry Satterfield

25-Year Pins

Wayman Brown, DDS Jeffrey Henderson

Claude Hines Brian Long

Taylor

Baker

Burse Burnim

Sampson Mays

Penn

Satterfield

Historic Look at The Omega Lineage that Makes Up Gamma Pi

Bro. James Alexander with Line at Psi Delta ‘79 Bro. Roland Penn (left) and his Mu Epsilon Line

Bros. Terry Rogers, Gregory Gaines at Iota Gamma in NJ Bro. Claude Hines and Theta Rho (Germany) Line in ‘86

Bro. Tony Thompson (2nd,r) , with Gamma Pi’s “Persevering 10”in Fall ‘94 Bro. Grand Basileus Andrew Ray—Southern ‘65


Bro. Rodney Barnes: Iota Epsilon ‘79

Bro. Dr. Harrison Foy (#1) — Rho Psi ‘67

Basileus Gordon Everett of Mu Epsilon ‘75 Basileus Everett (c ) and other Neos at Mu Epsilon

Bro. Ian Alvarez (#3) at Iota Epsilon ‘87

Gamma Pi’s “Sons of Old Gold” from 1992

Volume 5, Issue 2 Gamma Pi Gazette

Gamma Pi’s latest—Genesis X from Spring ‘11

Bro. Roland Penn, Mu Epsilon Sweetheart in ‘61

Bros. Alvarez, Crowell, Colclough: Iota Epsilon ‘87

Bro. Rodney Lawson in Iota Epsilon Step Show

More of the Omega Lineage that Makes Up Gamma Pi

Gamma Pi’s ‘08 Line: “Six Soldiers of Gideon”

Bros. Jay Brown, Raoul Alvarez at Iota Epsilon


Gamma Pi … From Yesterday to the Centennial


When did you enter the realm of Omega and where? In the Fall of 1950 at Upsilon Psi chapter (then-Florida A&M Col-lege).

What drew you to Omega Psi Phi? My brother and most guys from Norfolk, members of “The Marching 100,” were Omegas. I also liked the general way Ques seemed to interact

with people. The Dean of Men at FAMC pressured me greatly to join Alpha, because I had outstanding grades and had already begun to show signs of leadership. However, I wanted to follow my brother and simply felt Omega was a better fit. At such a young age, I was very outgoing and conscious of my ap-pearance and speech and attraction to young ladies, while giving them utmost respect.

You have been in Omega Psi Phi longer than any other Gamma Pi Brother. What did the Centennial mean to you as a 60-plus year member? I will simply say that the Centennial

Celebration renewed my pride in being an Omega and incentivized me to be more financially dili-

(see next page)


is what would Just, Love, Cooper and Coleman want us to accomplish for the greater community in the next100 years? How would they want us to prepare ourselves to make a difference in the next Omega Century? We are founded on friendship, but the Founders intended for our special friendship bond to turn into benefits for the greater communities we call home. That’s what has made Omega Psi Phi special and unique. Today, we occasionally hear drumbeats in the distance about whether or not Omega Psi Phi and Greek-letter organizations are still relevant in today’s world. But the way our Founders put this thing to-gether, Omega Psi Phi’s relevance and role were never tied to a par-

ticular era in history or to social conditions being a certain way. The Founders’ desire was for Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Up-lift to always be the hallmark of our Fraternity, ensuring eternal rele-vance. Just by following the Four Cardinal Principles alone would maintain the Fraternity’s relevance through the years. In Gamma Pi chapter, whether it’s Project ENRICH, Que Kidz Daze, our winter shelter projects or our many seniors –focused activi-ties, remaining relevant today means finding new ways to serve these populations in our community by collaborating with government and other organizations, As our es-teemed Prince George’s County Ex-ecutive and Omega Brother Rushern Baker has said time and time again since taking office, we as a Frater-nity, along with other organizations,

have a responsibility to join forces with government and with each other in partnership to bring about change.

I believe if the Founders were here today to celebrate 100 years with us, they would advise us to do that very thing – enhance our work in the community through forging partnerships with govern-ment and other organizations so that we might reach more people more quickly. In Gamma Pi, this is our charge going forward as we begin our fourth decade as a chap-ter and the Fraternity’s second century to make sure that our work has a meaningful and meas-urable impact on those we serve. I look forward to providing leader-ship in that area to our chapter as we move forward. Long live Gamma Pi and Omega Psi Phi! Second century, here we come.

QUEUED UP ... Q&A Conversation with Brother James E. Wyatt, the Longest-Serving Omega in Gamma Pi

Brother James E. Wyatt, a retired U,.S. Army Colonel, has been in Omega Psi Phi longer than anyone else from Gamma Pi. He “Crossed the Sands” in 1950. Bro Wyatt gave a very insightful interview to Gamma Pi recently.

Basileus from page 1

Bro. Col. (Ret.) Wyatt

QUEUED UP ... Q&A Conversation with Brother James E. Wyatt, 60-plus Year Member


gent going forward. I was over-whelmed by the greatness of our organization, as depicted by the individual achievements of indi-vidual Omega men shown during the celebration.

Your passion is Nannie Helen Burroughs. Tell us about that work. What ignited it and why is it important? I moved to this area from New Jersey in December 2005. In the spring of 2006, as an avid golfer (then playing to an eight handi-cap), I was driving to play Langston Golf course for the first time. I saw the street named after her and inquired about this person. I acknowledge that I was

embarrassed, being a fairly intel-ligent and well- traveled person. I began to study her life, going to the NHB School, the Library of Congress and finding two doc-toral theses about her life.

There was no daylight between the values she espoused and

those taught to me by my mother. Her message resonated with me. I have found no one who dis-agrees with her. As such, her views are important to me, because they force us (maybe I should say me) to be open to behavioral change, if we want to move forward. I want to bring her back into our lives today, because I think we need her.

How do you see the next 100 years? What do you see on the horizon for Omega Psi Phi as we move into the next century? Obviously, I have a bias and feel more comfortable saying what I would like to see, rather than what I see. I would simply like to see Omega evaluate our principles against the values espoused by Burroughs, from standpoints of the home, church, school and country. Then I would hope we can try harder to embrace and live up to those values/standards. Yes, I have tunnel-vision about Burroughs’ views, but that tunnel widens when I compare them with others of her era like Charlotte Hawkins Browns and Mary

McLeod Bethune. Their views match those of our organization. The essence was simply, "Do the superior/right thing". I am a bet-ter person because of them, and I believe if we get back to how they thought and acted, we/Omega will be great for the next 100 years.

I close with this anonymous quote, "We are beholden to the past. We are shaping the present. We are responsible for the fu-ture".

THE WYATT FILE

Education: Florida A&M College (B.S.)

Purdue University (M.S.) Career: U.S. Army (Colonel, retired)

Hobbies: Avid golfer

Gamma Pi reached its highest mem-bership total, more than doubling its ranks to 230-plus members. Over half the chapter registered for the Centennial and it was a year of “standing room only” monthly chapter meetings at the Super Chap-ter Fraternity Center. During the week of the Centen-nial, many Brothers stayed in down-town Washington, D.C. along with the thousands who came in from around the world. Gamma Pi also successfully hosted the Second Dis-trict Suite at one of the local hotels. Brothers looking back will forever

remember the foot traffic that came through the suite and the camarade-rie that defined the room as one of the more popular gathering spots during the Centennial. Whether you pledged under-graduate, at Gamma Pi or at an-other graduate chapter outside of Gamma Pi, the Centennial was a reunion time for many chapter Brothers as they were reunited with their Line Brothers and other “home chapter” members. It was part family celebration and part family reunion. For many Gamma Pi men, the proudest moment during the Cen-

Centennial from page 1

tennial was seeing Brother “DR” Rodgers front and center as the elected Second District Representa-tive. It culminated with his being introduced onstage at the Founder’s Banquet among the other District

Representative along with Grand Basileus Bro. Dr. Andrew Ray. Gamma Pi men in the audience at the Wash-ington Convention Center were able to feel a special con-nection to Omega’s 100 years through Bro. Rodgers’ status and role. It was both symbolic and uplift-ing for the chapter.

Another proud mo-ment occurred when Gamma Pi experienced an enormous sense of pride in seeing Gamma Pi’s Bro. Dr. Gerald Folsom participating in Centennial worship services as Sec-

ond District Chaplain (and chapter chaplain) and interact-ing with other District Chap-lains as well as the Grand Chap-lain and the Grand Basileus. On another level, sev-eral Gamma Pi members were honored during the principal awards ceremony that saw them receive prestigious “Century of Excellence Awards” for their accomplishments and service to the Fraternity. Several other

chapter Brothers received milestone service pins. The chapter also had a role in the social agenda that included a well-attended poker tournament spon-sored by The Super Chapter and held in a Chinatown restaurant. Finally, in another irony, Gamma Pi is scheduled to host the 64th Annual Second District Confer-

ence in April 2012, which will be the first District conference post-Centennial. That meeting will take place April 26-29 at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County. The Centennial provided a great backdrop for the District Conference next spring. Gamma Pi was well-represented not only in number, but in profile during the second most historic time of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Super Chapter showed all of Omega Psi Phi why it was “Super.”

Bro. Kenneth Rodgers (center) at dinner

Bro. Dr. Gerald Folsom leads prayer

Gamma Pi Brothers wear their signature jackets

Brothers enjoying “The Suite”

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