Pi Gamma Omicron
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| Pi Gamma Omicron | |
|---|---|
| ΠΓΟ | |
| Founded | January 1, 1905 Ohio State University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent (pre-NPHC) |
| Emphasis | Black students |
| Scope | local |
| Chapters | 1 (now dormant) |
| Members | 12 lifetime |
Pi Gamma Omicron (ΠΓΟ) was one of the first documented black collegiate fraternities which was founded in 1905.[1]
History[edit]
The group was founded at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.[2][3] The group had 12 members.[4] The group was not known by the Ohio State's registrars office but was known to the Chicago Defender newspaper which wrote an article about Pi Gamma Omicron.[1][5] This article about Pi Gamma Omicron took the interest of Alpha Phi Alpha founder Robert H. Ogle who was inspired to transform Alpha Phi Alpha from a literary society into a fraternity.[5]
It was reported that Pi Gamma Omicron initially desired to become a national fraternity by establishing chapters in Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana according to the Beta Theta Pi correspondent at Ohio State University, but this expansion did not occur.[6]
One member, Elmer Shackelford, went on to earn his law certificate in 1906, then the equivalent of today's law degree.[2][7]
Founders
The Founders of Pi Gamma Omicron were:[4][8]
- Leroy Barnett
- William Berry
- W. E. Davis
- Richard Pettiford
- Elmer A. Shackelford
- John Shavers
- Norman Thorne
- H. A. Turner
- C. C. Underwood
- Walter Williams
- William Woodward
See also[edit]
- List of African-American Greek and fraternal organizations
- History of North American fraternities and sororities
References[edit]
- ^ a b Kofi Lomotey (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Education. SAGE Publications. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-4129-4050-4.
- ^ a b "Tracking the early history of African-American fraternities at OSU". "From Woody's Couch" - Official Ohio State University Archives’ blog. March 28, 2012.
- ^ Ricky L. Jones (10 March 2010). Black Haze: Violence, Sacrifice, and Manhood in Black Greek-Letter Fraternities. SUNY Press. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7914-8565-1.
- ^ a b OSU Archives Student Assistant Michelle Brundige (March 2012). "Pi Gamma Omicron Members" (PDF).
- ^ a b Gregory S. Parks (13 June 2008). Black Greek-letter Organizations in the Twenty-First Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun. University Press of Kentucky. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-8131-3872-5.
- ^ "The Rainbow of the Delta Tau Delta". Rainbow. Vol. XXIX, no. 3. March 1906. p. 406. ISSN 1532-5334.
- ^ Shackelford senior picture The Makio yearbook (PDF). Columbus, Ohio: OSU student body. 1906. p. 85. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "Ohio State Lantern". January 10, 1906. p. 3. OCLC 18384916.
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