Gamma Omega - Beta Omicron

May 27, 1957

63rd Chapter

1st Black Chapter

Texas Southern University Band under the direction of James Hill Lark, Jr. filed a petition with the National Office of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority for colonization.  The Tau Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Houston was assigned by the national office to assist the new colony.  The National President, Paula Cox Read, excepted the petition and initiated 12 Charter members April 12, 1958 as the Beta Omicron Chapter and the 63rd Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.  It was during Ms. Read’s term  in office that the Chapter gained recognition as the first black chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.  During the school year 1959 three new members were initiated.  In the 1960’s the position of band director changed from Jack C. Bradley during the school year 1961 when three new members were initiated.  Campbell A. Tolbert during the school year 1962 when one new member was initiated.  Then  David Peters during the school year 1963 when two new members were initiated.  During the school year 1964 one new member was initiated in the Spring and two new members were initiated in the Fall of the same year.  The changes in band directors had a great effect on the band and the sorority which attributed to the chapter becoming inactive.  The “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band under the direction of Benjamin J. Butler, II, filed a petition with the National Office of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority for reactivation.  The Tau Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Houston was assigned by the national office to assist in the reactivation.  The National  President, Sharon E. Lebsack, excepted the petition and initiated 15 Charter members of the “Main Ingredients to the Black Sea”.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1975.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1976.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1978.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1979.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1980.

The initiation class NAME was initiated 1981.

The initiation class NAME was initiated Spring 1983.

The initiation class NAME was initiated Fall 1983.

The initiation class NAME was initiated Spring 1985.

Nita Dupaty was elected Chapter President for the school year 1985 and the initiation class NAME was initiated Fall 1985 and NAME was initiated Spring 1986.  The Chapter hosed their first Southwest District Kappa Kappa Psi - Tau Beta Sigma Area Workshop in 1985 with over 100 registered fraternity and sorority members in attendance.  Janice Butler was elected Chapter President for the school year 1986 and the initiation class NAME was initiated Spring 1987.  Charlotte Slider was elected Chapter President for the school year 1987 and the initiation class NAME was initiated Fall 1987.  Daree Whiting was elected Chapter President for the school year 1988 and the initiation class “Melodic 10 minus 5” was initiated Fall 1988, “10 Sweet Sounds of Harmony” was initiated Spring 1989.  Trudy Walker was elected Chapter President for the school year 1990 and the initiation class “After 7” was initiated Spring 1991.  Nequita Lacayo was elected Chapter President for the school year 1991 and the initiation class “Morning Noon and Night” was initiated Spring 1992.  Genise Hurst was elected Chapter President for the School year 1992.  Alfredia Martin Foster was elected Chapter President for the school year 1993.  Teysheonna Ward was elected Chapter President for the school year 1994.  After several years of inactive status, the “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band under the direction of Richard F. Lee filed a petition with the National Office of Tau Beta Sigma for reactivation.  The Tau Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of Houston was assigned by the National Office to assist in the reactivation.  The National President Sylvia Halbardier excepted the petition and initiated 14 Charter members May 2, 2002 with Daniel Woods serving as President.  Joselyn Coats was elected Chapter President for the school year 2002 and the initiation class NAME was initiated Spring 2003.  Shanette Prince currently serves as Chapter President for the school year 2003.