Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region

he Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region (OSSR) is a chapter for brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. who are members of a chapter in the Southern Region (Alabama, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi) and have rendered outstanding service in the fraternity and community. Since 1981, 123 Phi Beta Sigma men have been inducted in the OSSR. Of the 123 men, three have served as International President of the fraternity and sixteen have received the highest individual honor of the fraternity, the Distinguished Service Key. Fifteen members of the OSSR have served as Southern Regional Director of Phi Beta Sigma.

The genesis of The Distinguished Service Chapter of the Southern Region of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. began during the early stage of Regional Director Brother William “Bill” Stanley and Vice Regional Director Brother Earl Davis administration in 1980. Brother Stanley asked Brother Davis to choose a special project that he would like to develop for the membership of the Southern Region. Having worked on the Southern Region Executive Board as State Director of Florida and having observed how hard many of the brothers from each State of the Region worked and their high level of community involvement, there needed to be a way to give these brothers the highest recognition that could be received at the regional level. Brother Davis also felt that this would be an avenue for choosing brothers for the Distinguish Service Key Chapter at the National Level. Brother Stanley felt this was a great idea and asked him to develop the idea so it could be presented to the Regional Board for approval

First, Brother Davis wanted to come up with a name that would not be in conflict with the National Distinguish Service Key Chapter. Several names came to mind before he came up with the name “The Distinguished Service Chapter of the Southern Region”. He presented the name to Brother Stanley, and he thought it was great. The next step was to develop the program so it could be presented to the Executive Board.

At the next scheduled Executive Board Meeting, Brother Davis presented the idea of establishing a special chapter. The chapter would be for deserving members to be inducted into, that would not conflict with the existing Distinguish Service Key Chapter at the National Level. After a lengthy discussion and some changes, the Board approved the program including the Membership Guidelines

“THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CHAPTER OF THE SOUTHERN REGION”

The induction into the Distinguish Service Chapter of the Southern Region is the highest honor given to a brother at the regional level. This honor is granted to a deserving brother by members of his State, pending approval of the Southern Region’s body, during the annual Regional Conference. For a member to receive this honor, he must be recommended by his Alumni Chapter in writing and to his State’s Distinguished Service Chapter Committee. The program requirements followed this presentation.

This program was ratified by each State of the Southern Region. Brother Davis worked with each State Director in choosing brothers who met the program requirements. At the 1981 Regional Conference, the first ten (10) brothers were inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter of the Southern Region.

CHAPTER FOUNDER: Brother Earl Davis 1981 FIRST INDUCTEES/CHARTER MEMBERS Brothers:

Jerome Auls

L.D. “Doc” Bussey

Earl Davis

John Duncan

George Ellis

William Fails

David Hickman

Walter Hurns

Damon Miller

Roswell O. Sutton

These 10 charter members represented the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. Each year, State Directors bring to the Regional Conference, names of brothers to be inducted into this very special chapter.

Years later, the name was changed to “The Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region”.

There are many recognizable names in the OSSR. The late congressman and civil rights activist, Honorable John Lewis was inducted in 2018 Another civil rights activist, Hosea Williams is the only member of the OSSR to be inducted posthumously in 2001. A third key figure in the civil rights movement, Hon. Demetrius C. Newton is one of three International Presidents to become members of the special chapter. Newton is a civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was also the first American of African descent to hold the position Speaker Pro-Tempore for the Alabama State House of Representatives. Seventeenth International President, Hon. Roswell O. Sutton and 28th International President, Hon. William E. Stanley, Jr are the other two presidents. Sutton, like two Hon. Charles W. Moore and Hon. John Turner are three OSSR members who gained emeritus status for the General Board positions of President, Treasurer, and General Counselor respectively.

O.S.S.R

Sutton, Moore, Turner are also members of the Distinguished Service Chapter (DSC), the highest individual honor obtained by a Phi Beta Sigma man. The DSC key has been earned by 16 members of the OSSR. Those include the previously mentioned John Lewis, Roswell O. Sutton, Charles W. Moore, and William Fails, who is a member of the inaugural OSSR class.

Outside of civil rights activists, International Presidents, and DSC members, the OSSR has members who have held key positions in the fraternity and National Panhellenic Council (NPHC). Marco McMillan served as the 5th International Executive Director of Phi Beta Sigma while Rev Julius C Simmons served as the National President of the NPHC. Simmons is one of five Phi Beta Sigma men to hold the position. Current International Historian, Mark “Mallet” Pacich, and International Director of Bigger and Better Business, Terrance Gibson have earned their places into the OSSR chapter. Sixteen Southern Regional Directors are member of the OSSR including current Southern Regional Director, Dr. Errick Farmer.

Perhaps one of the more unique fact about the OSSR is only brother has been inducted as a member of a collegiate chapter. Reginald Turner was a member of the Eta Beta (University of Mississippi) Chapter when he was inducted into 1991.

All members of the Outstanding Sigmas of the Southern Region have rendered noteworthy service to the fraternity and community. Many have held several chapter positions when included president and have grown their current alumni to four or five times the size of the previous ten years. Several brothers placed their stamps at the state level and set items in place that are the standards and rules today. A few more brothers loaned their time and talents to advance the Southern Region to become the “Premier” region. A select few brothers have extended a hand to make an impact on the international level of the fraternity. All of the brothers in the OSSR have left an everlasting effect on the communities as a whole.

WELCOME