Gamma Phi

For the society founded at Colgate University, see Gamma Phi Society.

Gamma Phi
ΓΦ
Founded	March 1, 1905; 119 years ago (March 1, 1905) Wilberforce University
Type	Social
Affiliation	Independent
Status	Defunct
Defunct date	c. 1950
Emphasis	African American
Scope	National
Colors	Blue and   White
Flower	White carnation
Chapters	4
Headquarters	Wilberforce, Ohio United States

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.

History

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]

Symbols

The colors of Gamma Phi were blue and white.[1] Its flower was the white carnation.[1]

Chapters

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]

See also

• History of North American fraternities and sororities
• List of African-American Greek and fraternal organizations

References

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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Lomotey, Kofi, ed. (2010). Encyclopedia of African American Education. Vol. 1. Los Angeles: Sage. p. 300. ISBN 9781412940504 – via Google Books.
5. 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.