The Birth and Expansion of Audacity
The motto of our illustrious fraternity, Omega Ps Phi, Fraternity Inc. is “Friendship is Essential to the Soul”. It was friendship and a tenacious duty to serve Omega that birthed a chapter so bold they dared to plant a flag in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania (PA) shortly following the civil rights era! The founding-charter members, Brothers Neil Simpson (66- Mu) and (John) Wesley Gumby (68-Beta Gamma), of this new lamppost of Omega were childhood friends that were raised in Harrisburg, PA. The light of Omega was shone upon them during their youth by men in their families and community that they admired and wanted to emulate. The influence of Omega followed each young man on their collegiate journeys and grew as they matriculated through Cheyney State Teachers College Brother Neil Simpson would be initiated through Mu chapter in 1966 upon graduating from Cheyney State. Brother Wes Gumby would pledge at Beta Gamma chapter in 1968 while enrolled at Cheyney State.
Upon graduating from Cheyney State Teachers College, Bro. Neil Simpson would teach in the Philadelphia and Chester, Pennsylvania school systems before taking an administrative role at East Stroudsburg State College (ESSC) in the early 1970’s. During Neil’s early years at ESSC the school began actively recruiting Black and Hispanic students. As a more diverse student body began to grow, Bro. Simpson thought the establishment of a Black Greek Organization on campus would unify and provide support and instill pride amongst the Black and other minority students during their matriculation. Further, the implementation of a dynamic and productive Black undergraduate organization would provide visibility and accessibility to the ESSC administration for minority students. Being the tail-end of the civil rights movement it was critical to establish a presence of upstanding and distinguished gentlemen on the campus of East Stroudsburg and Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity and it’s four cardinal principals of, Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift, were the perfect model. While visiting his hometown of Harrisburg, PA Brother Simpson share his idea of establishing a chapter of Omega at ESSC with his longtime friend and fraternity brother, Wes Gumby. By this time, Brother Gumby had graduated from Cheyney State and was working as linguist in Harrisburg, PA. However, the idea of spreading the light of Omega along with a burgeoning interest from young Black men at many State Colleges in Pennsylvania intrigued and inspired brother Gumby to leave his job in Harrisburg and take a position at ESSC to help his friend, Neil Simpson, establish a chapter of Omega Psi Phi.
With both friends now residing in East Stroudsburg, Brothers Simpson and Gumby were now in position to identify candidates suitable to pursue Omega. As an administrator of the Act 101 program, Neil Simpson had a unique and favorable position to identify young Black scholars with the character and qualities required to traverse the Lampados Club of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. Brother Simpson identified a diverse set of eight young men and wrote each of the prospective candidates a letter inviting them to join the quest for Omega. The following young men answered the call of Omega and formed the first line of Alpha Eta entitled “Genesis 8”: Samuel Jacobs, Kenneth R. Anderson (Omega Chapter), Raeford McIlwaine, Eli Smith, Raymond C. Smith, Blair Butler, Robert Dozier, and Ricardo Bowman. Genesis 8 included several members that span across athletics including gymnastics, basketball, martial arts, and a football coach. Additionally, the members of the line held various student administrative positions
managing facilities and community service programs. This group of young leaders began their journey as Omega Lamps at the onset of the semester and were initiated as Men of Omega sixteen weeks later November 17, 1973. Since this was new region in which Omega had initiated members, the National headquarters required Genesis 8 to facilitate the new initiates through an established chapter near East Stroudsburg. Using his resources and fraternal relationships, from his teaching days, Brother Neil Simpson was able to coordinate the administrative processes for Genesis 8 through Epsilon Pi chapter based in Chester, PA. During their pledge period Genesis 8 would visit and have a few joint sets with Lampodos of Epsilon Pi but Brothers Gumby and Simpson, and a handful of other brothers within the Pocono Area, established a separate pledge process based on the standards learned from their initiation chapters of Beta Gamma and Mu, respectively.
The precise marching, oneness, discipline, and militaristic operation of Genesis 8 had set the campus and greater Stroudsburg region a blaze with a new energy that had not been felt before! Their artistic, eloquent, and powerful public greetings to their big brothers, along with a never-before-seen probate show, and the dedicated help from a beautiful court of Quettes, piqued the interest and solidified the desire of many young male students to join the dynamic organization of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. The foundation was set, and the evolution was primed and ready for a potent expansion, a distinctive addition, which would come to be known as the Funk 8. Like their Prophytes, the prospective Lamps hailed from various locations including the Greater Philadelphia area, New York City, and urban areas of New Jersey. The would be initiates continued to don an array of leaders and scholars that met and held up to the cardinal principles of Omega. This line of “funky” young men began with sixteen prospectives that were forged through the fires of Omega leading to a final eight that proved worthy to enter the gates of Omega Funky 8 consisted of baseball, track-and-field, and gymnastic athletes as well as academic leaders including: Robert Booker (Omega Chapter), Craig “Sack” Carter, Dwight Brooks, Melvin Davis (Omega Chapter), Leonard Poole, Gerald F. Parrish (Omega Chapter), Rick Canty (Omega Chapter), and John Shelton. These eight young initiates earned the moniker “Funky” due to their dynamic stepping and singing. They were innovative songsters recreating contemporary musical-hits from the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire or The Gap Band into new renditions of songs for Omega. After starting their journey in January, they crossed the burning sands on May 11, 1974 through administrative recognition of Epsilon Pi chapter. ESSC now had sixteen newly initiated Omega men. As a result, Brothers Simpson and Gumby and the acting basileus Brother Kenny Anderson (Omega Chapter) of the Genesis 8 line were able to facilitate and finalize the official charter for Alpha Eta (AH) chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc on September 7, 1974.
The fall of 1974 had a healthy number of Omega men ever showcasing their comradery, service, intelligence, and resistance to societal “norms” and racially motivated culture in northeastern Pennsylvania. The consistent and luminous beacon of Omega grew and persisted in the hearts and minds of young Black men seeking to change the circumstances of their families and communities. As a result, a line of nine started in the fall of 1974 to end with only one initiate standing! At the early age of nine years old Glenn “Duck” Ford knew he wanted to become a Que. He lived in a small town on the outskirts of Philadelphia and had at least five Omega men that lived in his neighborhood. Many of these men would be Duck’s coaches and teachers through his secondary schooling. However, there was one experience that he vividly
remembers which would seal his decision to pursue Omega. His next-door neighbor was a Que and having party. The neighbor and his frat brothers and sorority sisters were singing and chanting which drew young Duck to the backyard to see the commotion. He saw a sea of purple and gold that soon after moved from the backyard to the street. The brothers got into formation and began to “set-owt” a stepshow full of precise and unified marches with a thunderous cadence loud enough to bring out the entire neighborhood to enjoy this power display of Black pride and unification. It was this experience that set his desire to become a Que. Duck would grow to become a speedy football star that would be recruited to East Stroudsburg State College and witnessed Genesis 8 and Funky 8’s influence and greatness. He was even more determined to become a Que and got his opportunity in November 1974 with his then eight line brothers. The line of nine pledged until winter break and upon returning to school in January all others had dropped line. Disheartened yet determined to don his royal purple and old gold, Duck forged ahead on a solo quest. His big brothers made up their mind to dissolve this line since all others had ended their journey. Thus, the big brothers used all means available to make Duck end his pledge period. However, Glenn was resolute and defied all attempts to make him drop line for the remaining 12-week lonely journey. On March 16, 1975 the Defiant One was introduced to ESSC as the first line under the charter of Alpha Eta (AH).
Further hallmarks of 70’s
With the official establishment of the Alpha Eta chapter and tenacity of the chapter’s first solo line, more young, qualified men were drawn to the light of Omega. Following the initiation of the Defiant One, arguably one of Alpha Eta’s most dynamic and influential lines, Eight Evil Ways (EEW), crossed the burning sands. EEW was significant as they showcased their precision, ferocity, and adoration for Omega as pledgees to many schools across the East Coast. Ending any doubts as to whether this new chapter in the northeastern mountains of Pennsylvania would serve Omega at the highest of heights! The remaining years of 1970’s would result in Alpha Eta initiating five more lines including: Unlimited 1, Phase 4, Indestructible 2, and the Faithful 5. Several members of the early lines of AH would graduate from ESSC but wanted to remain in the Poconos to continue serving the cause their beloved fraternity. As a result, several members of AH, in conjunction with other Omega-Men living in the area, created the first graduate chapter of the Lehigh Valley, Omega Xi, in 1978 With this significant milestone Alpha Eta was primed to expand and serve Omega for decades within northeastern Pennsylvania.
Hallmarks of the 80’s
During the 1980’s Alpha Eta set its sights on expansion and establishing a footprint at other schools of higher education within the region. The first four Alpha Eta lines of the 80’s: Determined 2, Undisputed 1, Two Dedicated, and the Galactic 2 all pledged on the campus of the now renamed, East Stroudsburg University (ESU). These lines would foster several noteworthy and accomplished professional men and events including an Olympic qualifying gymnast, attorney, correction officer, and military professionals.
The year of 1984 would forge a new path to spreading Omega by way of Alpha Eta. On April 27, 1984 Alpha Eta would initiate the Hardrock 8 which consisted of two students from ESU and six young men from Lafayette College. The very next Alpha Eta line, Four Busted Nuts, would enter the gates of Omega in the summer of 1986. Consisting of three students from Lafayette College and one student from ESU. Interestingly, the remaining lines of the 80’s Two Brainless Wonders (spring 87) and Three Resurrected (spring 88) both pledged at ESU. The 80’s lines of Alpha Eta produced a number of remarkable events and brothers including the first black quarterback to start at ESU, an actor and singer in Germany, chemical engineer, and a Wall Street floor trader. At the tail-end of the 1980’s the number of initiates per line were consistently getting smaller and the rigors of the Omega initiation process would lead to a significant shift in the fraternity that would impact the presence of Alpha Eta on the campus of East Stroudsburg University for decades
Hallmarks of the 90’s
In the late 1980’s the fraternity started changing the administrative processes and policies associated with pledging traditions. Which would ultimately lead to the discontinuation of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.’s Lampados Club as of December 31, 1990. Alpha Eta remained resolute in its belief and vision of serving its community within the Pocono mountains and beyond through the traditions and principles of Omega. As a result, AH chapter would be able to usher in one more line before the Lampados Club would end at a national level. On May 17, 1990, The Thunderous Three line of Alpha Eta would make a resounding entrance on the campus of East Stroudsburg University. This line consisted of three young leaders- two football players and one basketball star. The Thunderous Three loomed large in stature and presence each standing over 6 ft and weighing more than 200 lbs. Apart from their physical makeup, they had large personas that would reverberate through any place they entered. Not only would they take ESU by storm, these three young men would make a thunderous presence at the surrounding universities and colleges. One university that would be branded with their presence would be Bloomsburg University.
The boldness and strength of the 1990 Alpha Eta line would catch the eyes, hearts, and minds of several young men on the campus of Bloomsburg University. There was a buzz about BU on the possibility of Omega Psi Phi expanding to its campus. There were ten or more prospects at Bloomsburg University in but, only seven met the scholarly requirements. They began the journey of traversing the 69 miles between BU and ESU in 1991 to build a relationship with the brothers of Alpha Eta. Over the course of the next year, the seven prospectives proved worthy of a chance to seek Omega. As a result, seven began the journey in October of 1992; however, early in the process the 69-mile trek proved too arduous for one young man. There were now six dedicated road warriors that would endure the journey to the gates of Omega. After eight long weeks of continuous back-and-forth between the 69-mile corridor between ESU and BU, the Six Souls of the 69 would explode onto the campus of Bloomsburg University on December 12, 1992. Similar to the genesis on ESU nearly two-decades earlier, The Six Souls of the 69 mesmerized the entire campus with a Probate Show that displayed melodic singing, thunderous marching, and sheer electricity never before witnessed in the town of Bloomsburg!
The six pioneers of this line: Kim Carelock, Garrett “Bo” Hall, Terrance Jenkins, Bernard Richardson, Brian Twyman, and Jerry Jones were the catalysts and foundational components of Alpha Eta’s sustainable expansion across the northeastern territory of Pennsylvania. It was their audacious mindset and resolute determination, along with the vision and foresight of Big Brothers John Russell, Jr., Lawrence Henry, and Douglas Moore that enabled Alpha Eta to initiate 1995 (Apocalypse 3) and 1998 (Armageddon 4) lines.
Collectively, the Alpha Eta brothers in the decade of the 90’s continued the great tradition of fostering leadership and service. This decade resulted in a Lt. Colonel, four doctors, authors, and several educators, entrepreneurs, and activists. It was this consistent leadership as students and professionals that keep the light burning for Omega at Bloomsburg University (BU) as we entered the new millennium.
Hallmarks of the 2000’s
The first decade of the 2000’s kept the light of Omega shining brightly at Bloomsburg University with a few star football players. One of which would become a Super Bowl Champion and sixtime all-pro offensive linemen for the New Orleans Saints. Before a future Super Bowl Champion would join the ranks of this Audacious chapter. A hilarious student-athlete from Petersburg, VA would star as a fullback at Bloomsburg University that helped lead them to the Division II National Championship game. Between his prowess on the football field, service, and comedic skill Jameson K. MacLaughlin “Mac” would become The Audacious One! Mac would prove to be a bridge builder between his Prophytes and Neophytes of the 2000’s and beyond. He would dean the following lines Abominable 1, Jahari Evans, and the Tenacious 2 (Marcus “Dupree” Arter and Stevie Draper). Jahri would get drafted by the New Orleans Saints and would have a stellar career. The Tenacious 2 let their lights shine as fathers, entrepreneurs, and... Before the end of this decade Alpha Eta would initiate three more young men under the lines Disjointed Two, Sirron Carrector and Jerrell Fisher, and the Victorious 1, Vincent Browning. These young men would spearhead several campus initiatives and ultimately move on from BU and engage in careers as artists, educators, financial investors, and a Pennsylvania State Trooper.
Hallmarks of the 2010’s
The 2010 decade of Alpha Eta had been slowed and limited to one line, 4 of a Qind: Jordan Young, Timothy Rowe-Golden, Rashan Nelson, and Name missing. These young men would navigate the world of Omega at Bloomsburg University through the help of the Lehigh Valley graduate chapter Omega Xi. Ultimately, they would matriculate through BU and become pillars of their communities as counselors for at risk youth, businessmen, and activists. With a dwindling number of prospects at BU identifying themselves or lacking the requirements of Omega, Alpha Eta would once again cross that 69-mile corridor to keep the bloodline of Audacious Alpha Eta alive.
With the help of Omega Xi and the establishment of a newly formed graduate chapter at Bloomsburg University, Eta Mu Nu, new initiates on the campus of East Stroudsburg University would once again march, sing, and profess their love for Omega Psi Phi and the Audacious Alpha
Eta chapter. The first line on the campus of ESU in over two decades would become the Rebellious 2 (Ademola Adeleye and Cornell Dixon) crossing the burning sands on November 10, 2018.
Hallmarks of the 2020’s
The lamp wick was once again lit on the campus of ESU sparking the interest of a young track star, Dominic Walton. Dominic was an all-conference and Division II All-American at shotput The cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift resonated with this young student athlete so much so that he would pursue the gates of Omega by himself. Dominic would persevere through graduating, track-meets, and a global pandemic as the Foresaken 1 initiate of Alpha Eta on March 28, 2020. The Foresaken 1 would then pursue his master’s degree at ESU to further his professional goals while providing an opportunity for the legacy of Alpha Eta to continue. On….2022, Alpha Eta’s first intra-chapter legacy initiate would be born as the…(line name). John Russell III would follow in his father’s footsteps some twenty years later on the hallowed ground as his father.
Fifty years from the birth and chartering of Alpha Eta proves worthy of principals of Omega and the audacious vision of founding/chartering brothers of Neil Simpson and Wes Gumby. With young scholars and leaders within the chapter and young students with like ideas converging at the educational institutions of ESU and BU. The foundation is set and future is open to continue its audacious pursuits for another fifty years and beyond!