The founders of Omega Psi Phi
Four founders.
One enduring
vision.
Three undergraduates. One faculty adviser.
Meet the men whose friendship and ideals gave life to Omega Psi Phi at Howard University in 1911.
01 / Physician · Scholar
Dr. Oscar J. Cooper
A physician whose five decades of practice in Philadelphia reflected a life grounded in scholarship and service.
- Oscar J. Cooper was born in Washington, D.C.
- Graduated from Howard Academy, Washington, D.C.
- Bachelor of Science Degree, Howard University, 1913
- Doctor of Medicine Degree, Howard University, 1917
- Practiced medicine in Philadelphia, PA for 50 years
02 / Physicist · Educator
Professor Frank Coleman
An educator and physicist who became professor and head of Howard University’s Physics Department.
- Frank Coleman was born in Washington, D.C.
- Graduated from the M Street High School, Washington, D.C.
- Bachelor of Science Degree, Howard University, 1913
- Master of Science Degree, University of Chicago
- Advanced Training, University of Pennsylvania
- Professor and head of the Physics Department, Howard University
- U.S. Army Officer, World War I
03 / Minister · Leader
Bishop Edgar A. Love
A minister, Army chaplain, and Methodist bishop who served as Omega Psi Phi’s first Grand Basileus.
- Edgar A. Love was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Graduated from the Academy of Morgan College
- Bachelor of Arts Degree, Howard University, 1913
- Bachelor of Divinity Degree, Howard University, 1916
- Bachelor of Sacred Theology Degree, Boston University, 1918
- Doctor of Divinity Degree (Honorary), Morgan College, 1935
- U.S. Army Chaplain, World War I
- Bishop, Methodist Church
04 / Biologist · Faculty adviser
Dr. Ernest Everett Just
A scientist and educator whose scholarship earned national recognition, and whose guidance helped shape Omega’s beginning.
- Ernest E. Just was born in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Graduated from the Industrial School of the State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
- Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire
- Bachelor of Arts Degree, Dartmouth College (Phi Beta Kappa)
- Awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP, 1915
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree, University of Chicago, 1916
- Became the 19th honoree in the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage Stamp Series on February 1, 1996.
A rich heritage. A living purpose.
Protected.
Celebrated. Carried forward.
Omega has a rich heritage to be protected, celebrated and enhanced. Explore the history that began with these four men, and the chapter that carries their ideals forward in Chicago.