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THE FOUNDERS

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On Friday evening, November 17, 1911, three Howard University undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty adviser, gave birth to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. This event occurred in the office of biology Professor Ernest E. Just, the faculty adviser, in the Science Hall (now known as Thirkield Hall). The three liberal arts students were Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman. From the initials of the Greek phrase meaning “friendship is essential to the soul,” the name Omega Psi Phi was derived.

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DR. ERNEST E. JUST (1883-1941)

  • 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.

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PROFESSOR FRANK COLEMAN (1890-1967)

  •  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.

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DR. OSCAR J. COOPER (1888-1972)

  • Oscar J. Cooper was born in Washington, D.C.

  • Graduated from the M Street High School, 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

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BISHOP EDGAR A. LOVE (1891-1974)​

  • Edgar A. Love was born in Harrrisonburg, 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

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