GreekChat.com Forums - Article about Omega Psi Phi

Hi, sorry to crash, but our school newspaper had an article about an Omega Psi Phi exhibit on campus. I thought maybe some of you might be interested in reading the article.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive...06darts-03.asp

Exhibit showcases history of first black fraternity at PSU

By Lauren Seitz
Collegian Staff Writer

Greek life has been an important part of Penn State's history, but students may not consider this as they head to fraternity parties on the weekends.

A display of memorabilia commemorating the 85th anniversary of Omega Psi Phi -- Penn State's first black fraternity -- is on display in the Diversity Studies Room, 109 Pattee, from now until Aug. 11.

Andrew Jackson, academic adviser for the College of Education, is a life member of the fraternity and a former member at Penn State.

He has held an influential position in getting the exhibit started, as well as in soliciting items from other fraternity alumni.

"I think people need to know that all frats have people who have made major contributions to this university," Jackson said. "The public should be aware of this, and we should show some appreciation."

Lee Stout, head of public services and outreach for special collections at Eberly Family Special Collections Library, said there are at least 100 objects in the exhibit that come both from alumni of Omega Psi Phi, 217 HUB, as well as from the library's archives.

These include photographs, documents, fliers, sweaters that were owned and worn by members, ceremonial paddles and a variety of pamphlets picked up at national conferences and conventions.

"These items speak to the African-American experience at Penn State over the years," Stout said.

Historical photographs from the library's archives involve influential events in the history of black students at Penn State, including the barber shop protest of the 1950s.

"The number of African Americans enrolling was increasing, but it was difficult for them to carry on a normal existence. Barbers wouldn't even cut a black student's hair," Stout said. "Something so trivial became a protest point, because students need to be treated equally in all ways."

This exhibit is important to the education of students on campus because part of a university education is to broaden it, Stout said.

It also falsifies the perception that black students are recent additions to Penn State because there have been 100 years of students here, and Omega Psi Phi is the oldest student organization for African Americans.

"We may take for granted how life is today, but there are still some people who have a hard time accepting different people," Stout said.

In addition to photographs of Omega Psi Phi history, other pictures of influential people during this time are included, Jackson said.

"There are photos of the 1968-69 Old Main takeover, the 1988 telecom takeover, a 2001 takeover and sit-ins to improve conditions and curricula on campus," Jackson said.

The story told by the display is about the men involved with the fraternity and how it came about, Maryellen Murphy, the library exhibit coordinator, said.

"I wanted to have ephemera, personal items and momentos that are symbols and signs about the family of Omega Psi Phi," Murphy said.

Catherine Grigor, manager of public relations and marketing for University Libraries, said the goal of the exhibit is to educate students about what has happened at the university.

The purpose of the library display is to make people aware of the significant contributions that fraternities and sororities have made to Penn State, Jackson said.

"[Omega Psi Phi] doesn't play into the negativity we hear [about fraternities], and part of demonstrating that is the exhibit," Jackson said.

Murphy said a lot of assumptions are made about fraternities, and the exhibit is a way to present the organization in a positive light.

"What is important is that they have a voice and a presence, entrepreneurially and socially, and that we bring that out," Murphy said.