Welcome to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Omicron Chapter at Northeastern University.

On the 9th of March in 1973, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, the first Black Greek Men’s fraternity, was established on the campus of Northeastern University in Boston, MA, and the fraternity’s first expansion into the New England Region.

The charter line, ‘Lost Colony”, was a city-wide line comprised of thirty-two members; twentyfive members from Omicron Chapter at Northeastern, six from Pi Chapter at Boston University, and one from Massachusetts of Art College. In fact, Lost Colony still holds the record for the largest line in the fraternity’s history.

Omicron’s founding in New England led to the chartering of Delta Omega Alumni Chapter in 1973, Boston College; Chestnut Hill, MA, Sigma (1974), American International College; Springfield, MA, Tau Chapter (1974), Boston State College, now UMASS-Boston, Chi Chapter (1976), and the growth of chapters in western Massachusetts; Western New England College, Omega Chapter (1976), CW Post/LIU Alpha Zeta Chapter (1978) was the first in NY state, Alpha Iota chapter in Wilberforce University (1979). the first chapter in Ohio, Westfield State College; Westfield, MA, Alpha XI (1981), University of Massachusetts-Amherst, MA, Beta Beta Chapter (1983), and Pi Omega Alumni Chapter (1983) in New York City. In Connecticut, Tau Omega Alumni Chapter (1985), University of Hartford; Beta Zeta Chapter (1986). This summarizes the North Star of Iota expansion of the New England region to the MidAtlantic Region that is now called the Atlantic Coast Region (ACR) and the Ohio Valley Region (OVR).

The credit for the growth of the New England chapters and Region goes to Bro. Clyde Travis (Nu Chapter, University of Maryland), Former Grand Polaris Bro. Thomas ‘Tex’ Dean and Former Grand Polaris Bro. Edgar A. Johnson along with the support of two Founding members, Honorable Founders John Slade and Webster Lewis.

The first black Greek women's origination on the campus of Northeastern University was Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Many other black Greek and non-Greek organizations formed a collaboration to support many initiatives at the University as well as to support a variety of local community organizations.

Omicron chapter collaborated with and supported other black Greek organizations citywide. Locally on campus, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity and other black organizations endowed essential black student activities at the African American Institute. The African American Institute provided the essential support of all black studies and student activities. The Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

The brothers of Omicron and Pi have long served with distinction throughout the Fraternity’s history, such as National Iota Foundation Board Members, Regional Polaris, Grand Historian, Grand Vice-Polaris, and International Grand Polaris.

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity at Northeastern University was a diverse group of men majoring in many disciplines, such as Engineering, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Journalism, and Political Science. For example, Bro. Michael Williams (CJ Major and charter member) Bro. (JM) James F. Martin, (Engineering Major and member of the first line in 1973) integrated into the school radio station, WRBB Boston. The name of the new show was named "Soul's Palace." WRBB supported many school initiatives and community activities around the greater Boston area.

Besides the radio station, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. was involved in many other aspects of the University and ensured fair representation throughout the school. It was essential for us to be able to help students at the local high school by showing them the achievements of Black students at the university level.

We were fortunate to meet one of the Founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., the Honorable Founder Webster Lewis who was a professor of music at the New England Conservatory of Music (located next to Northeastern University). We were fortunate to collaborate with Founder Lewis on the history of Iota. In 1975, Omicron Chapter hosted the first fraternity Conclave convention in New England 1975. A large number of brothers from across the country attended this first Conclave. We were fortunate to have our Founder, the Honorable Founder Webster Lewis to conduct and dedicate a concert named as "A salute to the Black Recording Companies of America."

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary, we look forward to a monumental celebration of the founding of Omicron Chapter. Our plan is to enjoy this historical accomplishment, and I look forward to many brothers who attended Northeastern University to attend who are now professionals who have made a significant impact to society with their expertise while continuing to support the fraternity’s initiatives at communities across the country.

We thank Northeastern University for their extended hospitality to host this celebration and The African American Institute Director, Dr. Richard O'Bryant, has committed his support for our 50th Anniversary celebration.

Sincerely,

The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Omicron chapter planning committee.
Bro. JM (James Martin)
Bro. Irving Bell
Bro. Keith Motley
Bro. Shelley Stewart
Bro. Cosby Smiley