Greek organization celebrates 100 years

Fraternity Omega Psi Phi celebrated its 100th birthday Sunday.
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity for African-American men and consists of an undergraduate and a graduate chapter.

“Sunday’s program is just a celebration of the fraternity’s history,” said Edward Hazelrig, who is the basileus, or president, of the fraternity’s graduate chapter.

The centennial celebrated the fraternity as the national organization turned 100.

Hazelrig said the undergraduate chapter was founded in 1947 on campus and the graduate chapter was founded in 1980. 

Omega Psi Phi was founded on Nov. 17, 1911, at Howard University, according to its national website.

It was also the first international fraternity to be founded at a historically black university.

For the centennial, both the undergraduate and graduate chapters teamed up for an event featuring different speakers and special guests.

“A speaker from each of the Divine 9 is coming,” said Alrick Banks, a brother in the graduate chapter.

The Divine 9 are the nine fraternities and sororities created specifically for black students.

“We are the fourth of the Divine 9 to reach our 100-year centennial,” Hazelrig said.

The event had special meaning for the IU chapters because both currently have special honors, said Eddie Cole, keeper of records and seal for the graduate chapter.

“It’s a pleasure for us to be able to do this in this moment, because both chapters currently have chapter of the year for the Omega district,” Cole said.

The fraternity also had an awards ceremony.

“We have a number of awards we’re going to give out,” Hazelrig said. “We have a high school essay contest (award) we’re going to give out.”

Although the ceremony took place Sunday, Banks said his fraternity  hopes to celebrate year-round.

“For us, what we decided is, since we’re turning 100, this program is a kick-off for a year-long celebration,” Banks said.