Gamma Omega - Beta Omicron

May 22, 1957

96th Chapter

1st Black Chapter of KKPsi

Texas Southern University Band under the direction of James Hill Lark, Jr. filed a petition with the National Office of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity for colonization.  The Beta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Baylor University was assigned by the national office to assist the new colony.  The Grand President, Donald I. Moore, accepted the petition and initiated 23 Charter members May 22, 1957 as the Gamma Omega Chapter and the 96th Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.  It was during Mr. Moore’s term in office that the Chapter gained recognition as the first black chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.  During the school year 1959 two new members were initiated.  In the 1960’s the position of band director changed from Jack C. Bradley, to Campbell A. Tolbert and then to David Peters.  These changes had a great effect on the band and the fraternity 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 Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity for reactivation.  The Beta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at the University of Houston was assigned by the national office to assist in the reactivation.  The Grand President, Richard Worthington, accepted the petition and initiated 28 Charter members of the “Black Sea”, October 29, 1972 with Ronald B. Thornton serving as president.  Ronald Thornton was reelected Chapter President for the school year 1973 and Initiation Class “Seven Minutes to Danger” was initiated Spring 1973.  Samuel Jackson was elected Chapter President for the school years 1974 and 1975.  Initiation Class “Diminished Fifth” was initiated Spring 1974, “New and Improved” was initiated Spring 1975.  The Chapter received their first Service Certificate from the National Office and has continued receiving this award throughout the years.  Tyron Starks was elected Chapter President for the school year 1976 and Initiation Class “First Inversion” was initiated Fall 1976.  Erwin Brown was elected Chapter President for the years 1977, 1978, and 1979.  Initiation Class “Third Movement” was initiated Spring 1978, “Maestros of Sound” was initiated Spring 1979, and “Melodic Nine Minus Four” was initiated Spring 1980.  Ronnie Alexander was elected Chapter President for the school year 1980 and Initiation Class “Blues Brothers” was initiated Spring 1981.  Aaron Georgetown was elected Chapter President for the school year 1981 and Initiation Class “Twelve Measures of Harmony” was initiated Spring 1982.  The Chapter received 1st Place for Best Decorated Car and 1st Place in the Tug-Of-War Competition at the 1981 TSU Homecoming activities. 

Eric Caldwell was elected Chapter President for the school year 1982 and Initiation Class “Triplets” was intimated Fall 1982, “The New Addition” was initiated Spring 1983.  Erwin Brown wash elected Chapter President for the school years 1983 and 1984.  Initiation Class “Dynamic Duo” was initiated Fall 1983 with Dr. Leonard H. O. Spearman as Honorary, “Dominant 7” was initiated Spring 1984, and “Major Ninth” was initiated Spring 1985.  The Chapter was appointed the Big Brother Chapter to Prairie View A&M University.  In 1983 the Chapter was represented on the District Council of Kappa Kappa Psi with one of its members, Erwin Brown, serving as District Treasurer.  The Chapter received the 1984 Southwest District Distance Award and the 1984 Southwest District Participation Award with a delegation of 26 chapter members.  The Chapter received 1st Place in the 1985 TSU Greek Show and was consistent winners in many other Step Shows.  The Chapter hosed their first Kappa Kappa Psi - Tau Beta Sigma Area Workshop in 1985 with other 100 registered fraternity and sorority members in attendance.  The Chapter presented the prestigious National A. Frank Martin Award of Kappa Kappa Psi to Benjamin J. Butler, II.  Michael Moses was elected Chapter President for the school year 1985.  Ronnie Wilson was elected Chapter President Spring 1986 with the Initiation Class “Command Performance” initiated Spring 1986.  Darwin Walker was elected Chapter President for the school year 1986.  Terrance Cannon was elected Chapter President for the school year 1987 and the Initiation Class “Dissonant 4th was initiated Fall 1987.  In 1987 the Chapter was represented on the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi with one of its members, Erwin Brown, serving on the National Advisory Committee.  Donald Wayne Black was elected Chapter President Spring 1988 and reelected for the school years 1988 and 1989.  Initiation Class “Take Four” was initiated Spring 1989.  The Chapter received a proclamation from the City of Houston for 31 years of service.  The Chapter received 1st Place for Best Decorated Car in the 1989 TSU Homecoming Parade and hosted their first Kappa Kappa Psi Non-Pan Hellenic Greek Extravaganza in 1990.  The Chapter sponsored majorette and flag tryouts and launched the first publication of the Gamma Omega Monthly.  The Chapter created a Black History Program that was used to tour local elementary schools.  The Brother of the Month Program was first introduced by the Chapter Sponsor to reward chapter members for their work in the organization.  Raynard Cockrell was elected Chapter President Spring 1990.  The Chapter hosted their second Area Workshop in 1990.  The Chapter then was appointed the Big Brother Chapter to Lamar University.  Ron Adolph filled the vacancy of Chapter President May 1990.  Ricky Georgetown was elected Chapter President for the school year 1990 and Initiation Class “Operation Psi Storm” was initiated Spring 1991.  Anthony Bennett was elected Chapter President for the school year 1991 and Initiation Class “Fortzondo” and initiated Spring 1992.  Ronny Hornback was elected Chapter President for the school year 1992.  Anthony Bennett filled the vacancy of Chapter President November 1992.  Eric Benton was elected Chapter President Spring 1993.  Garnet Foster was elected Chapter President for the school year 1993 and Initiation Class “Perfect 4th” was initiated Spring 1994.  Donald Greer was elected Chapter President for the school year 1994.  Anthony Bennett was elected Chapter President Spring 1995 and Initiation Class “4th Dimension” was initiated Spring 1995.  Keith Wheeler was elected Chapter President for the school year 1995.  Andrew Jones was elected Chapter President for the school year 1996.  Ollie Griffin was elected Chapter President Spring 1997 and school year 1997.  Initiation Class “Troppo” was initiated Spring 1997 and Initiation Class “Recapitulation” was initiated Spring 1998.  Ellis Williams was elected Chapter President for the school year 1998 and Initiation Class “Scherzo” was initiated Spring 1999.  Ellis Williams was reelected Chapter President for the school year 1999 and is now leading the chapter into the new millennium with the motivation of recapitulation, to go back to the beginning.

Jerimain Matthews was elected Chapter President for the school year 2000.  The Initiation Class “5 Notes of Arrhythmic” was inducted Spring 2001.  Vincent Williams was elected Chapter President for the school year 2001.  The Initiation Class “Toccata & Fugue” was inducted Spring 2002.  Robert Martin was elected Chapter President for the school year 2002.  The Initiation Class “Rubato” was inducted Spring 2003.  Stephen Green was elected Chapter President for the school year 2003.  Tannon Gilmore filled the vacancy of Chapter President March 2004.  The Chapter co-hosted the Southwest District South Area Workshop with our Sister of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.  The Initiation Class “Fugato” was inducted Spring 2004.  Ricardo Green was elected Chapter President for the school year 2004 and 2005.  The Initiation Class “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” was inducted Spring 2006.  Joseph Crump was elected Chapter President for the school year 2006.  He is directing the Gamma Omega Chapter with a goal for better leadership and more service.  The Gamma Omega Chapter will continue this effort through the “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band Program and we are still “Striving for the highest.”