Honoring the second chapter in the Mighty Second District

on their 90th year of service

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The Birth of "Mighty" Epsilon Chapter

Founded:  April 18, 1919

In 1919, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity bestowed upon New York City, her fifth chapter.  On April 18, 1919, at the home of Brother A. Merral Willis, located at 24 W. 140th Street, nine Omega man gathered, and chartered the "Mighty" Epsilon chapter.  Epsilon Chapter was organized for students attending Columbia University, New York University, City College of New York, and other institutions of higher learning in New York City.  The charter members of Epsilon Chapter were Brothers A. Merral Willis, (charter member of Beta Chapter), Raymond George Robinson (7th Grand Basileus and charter member of Beta Chapter), Hastings E. Tompkins (Beta Chapter '16), John Gordon Dingle (Alpha Chapter '13), James Burnett Ford (Alpha '12), Osceola E. McKaine (Des Moines, Iowa War Chapter '16/Gamma Chapter '17), Henry M. Marlowe (charter member of Beta Chapter), W.P. Stanley (Beta Fall '14), and J. Herd Huddleson.

With the foundation in place, the brothers now had to select the men who would lead her in the right direction.  Epsilon's first officers were Brothers A. Mrral Willis, Basileus, Osceola E. McKaine, Keeper of Records, J. Herd Huddleson, Keeper of Seals, and Hastings E. Tompkins, Chaplain.  These were the first of many loyal sons of Omega who would lead Epsilon Chapter.