President J. H. White of Mississippi Vocational College, and Dr. N. Sisson of Greenville, Mississippi, occupied seats of honor as forty year men in the new chapter.

           

Under the dynamic leadership of most honorable Basileus  Emeritus Big Brother J.H. White, Big Brother Merle Banks, Basileus, Big Brother T.L. Johnson, Vice Basileus, Big Brother George. Twyner, Keeper of Records and Seals, Big Brother N. Sisson, Keeper of Finance, Big Brother J. Lee, Keeper of Peace, Big brother R. Love, Historian,  Big Brother Leroy Raife, Dean of Pledges, and Big Brother Olympia P. Lowe, Editor to the Oracle.  Beta Rho was already committed to a full program from the reminder of the 1962 school year and extensive plans were being formulated for 1963.

           

Following the luncheon, the Beta Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity met in the conference room of the student union building.  The chapter had the distinguished honor of having the charter presented to Big Brother Merle Banks by Grand Basileus Big Brother Cary D. Jacobs.  This was, the first time in the history of the fraternity that a Grand Basileus had presented a charter.  This is done, in most cases, by the District Representative (DR).  The Big Brothers were highly honored to have the Grand Basileus and the National Secretary Big Brother H. Carl Moultrie present.  They launched the chapter on the highest possible note. 

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Big Brother John A. James had been accepted to the Lampados club of the Iota Omicron chapter of Clarksdale, Mississippi.  Due to the civil rights activities going on at the time in Clarksdale, he was unable to be initiated by Iota Omicron.  Big Brother Paige of the Beta Rho chapter was advised to contact the ‘little brother’ (James) and have him contact the Dean of Pledges of Iota Omicron requesting a release in order that he be considered for initiation into the Beta Rho chapter.  Big brother James went on to become the first brother to be made by the Beta Rho chapter in 1962.

 

On Sunday, April 5, 1964, the Beta Rho chapter was called to order by the Basileus Big Brother Boone.  The order of business was a report by Big Brother Raife concerning the possibility and feasibility of the district meeting being held at Mississippi Vocational College in the 1966.  With the consensus of the nine (9) big brothers present, the chapter felt that they should extend a bid for the meeting at the upcoming state meeting in Jackson on April 19,1964.

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On May 3, 1964, Big Brother George Johnson reported to the state meeting held on the campus of Tougaloo College in Jackson, on April 19, 1964. The invitation extended for the district meeting to be held on Mississippi Vocational College campus in 1966 was accepted by the state body.  Big Brother George Johnson was appointed coordinator for planning the district meeting for 1966.
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In the next order of business, Big Brother Boone stated that the chapter must make available a scholarship program, prepare for a Talent Hunt and Social Action program.  “We shall make some definitive plans at our May meeting.” Big Brother Banks was appointed chairman of the scholarship committee.  Big Brother H.R. Smith was appointed to a committee of one to study the possibilities of talent hunt in the area.  Big Brother Twyner was asked to look into the Social Action program.  Big Brother Boone emphasized that in planning for the 1964-65 school year, each program should receive definitive and positive action.

Since this time, the Beta Rho chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity has gone on to become one of the leading chapters in the Mighty Seventh District and the state of Mississippi.