Gamma Phi Explained

Gamma Phi
Letters:	Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΓΦ
Birthplace:	Wilberforce University
Affiliation:	Independent
Type:	Social
Flower:	White carnation
Scope:	National (US)
Chapters:	4 (defunct)
City:	Wilberforce
State:	Ohio
Country:	United States
Emphasis:	African American
Status:	Defunct

Gamma Phi (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: 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.^[3] 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, Gamma Phi existed at Wilberforce University on and off for many years. The last known documentation of Gamma Phi is from 1947. Ashley F. G. Norwood notes "It isn’t clear exactly when or why it ceased to exist."

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. Its flower was the white carnation.^[1]

Chapters

Following is a list of known Gamma Phi chapters.

See also

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

Notes and References

1. Book: Kimbrough . Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities . . 2003 . 978-1611472813 . Madison . 30 . 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. Book: Encyclopedia of African American Education . Sage . 2010 . 9781412940504 . Lomotey . Kofi . 1 . Los Angeles . 300 . Google Books.
5. Book: African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision . . 2005 . 978-0813123448 . Brown . Tamara . Lexington . 535 . Parks . Gregory . Phillips . Clarenda.