Gamma_Phi
Gamma Phi
African American collegiate fraternity
Gamma Phi (ΓΦ) was an African American fraternity founded on March 1, 1905 at Wilberforce University. It went defunct sometime before 1950. Gamma Phi is notable as being one of the forerunners in the African American collegiate fraternal scene.
| Gamma Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΓΦ | |
| Founded | March 1, 1905; 119 years ago (March 1, 1905) Wilberforce University |
| Type | Social |
| Status | Defunct |
| Emphasis | African American |
| Scope | National (US) |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Flower | White Carnation |
| Chapters | 4 (defunct) |
| Headquarters | Wilberforce, Ohio United States |
Edward Clark, D. R, Lackley, and Gus Williams formed Gamma Phi at the historically black college Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio on March 1, 1905.[1][2] It was the second or third African American collegiate fraternity in the United States and was the first to survive for more than a short time.[2][3][1] Gamma Phi group was the sole fraternity on campus until 1912.[4]
After operating as a local fraternity, the Gamma Phi grew into a national fraternity with at least three additional chapters,[1] Gamma Phi existed at Wilberforce University on and off for many years.[4] The last known documentation of Gamma Phi is from 1947.[1] Ashley F. G. Norwood notes "It isn’t clear exactly when or why it ceased to exist."[2]
Gamma Phi is notable as being one of the forerunners in the African American Collegiate Fraternal scene.[5]
The colors of Gamma Phi were blue and white.[1] Its flower was the white carnation.[1]
Following is a list of known Gamma Phi chapters.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | March 1, 1905 | Wilberforce University | Wilberforce, Ohio | Inactive | [1] |
- Kimbrough, Walter M. (2003). Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Madison: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-1611472813 – via Google Books.
- Norwood, Ashley F. G., "The Fly In The Buttermilk: The History, Perceptions And Principles Of Black Greek Lettered Organizations At Ole Miss" (2016). University, MS: University of Mississippi. Electronic Theses and Dissertations. p. 3-4.
- Darbonne, August J., "A Space of Their Own Color: Black Greek Letter Organizations at the University of New Orleans" (2019). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. p. 19.
- Lomotey, Kofi, ed. (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Education. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: Sage. p. 300. ISBN 9781412940504 – via Google Books.
- Brown, Tamara; Parks, Gregory; Phillips, Clarenda, eds. (2005). African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. p. 535. ISBN 978-0813123448.