Phi Beta

Phi Beta Chapter 162

The very first undergraduate to become an Omega at Jarvis Christian College was Melvin Jefferson, Jr. He was initiated on November 6, 1970, through the Texas College Sigma Sigma Chapter. Jefferson soon encouraged two other young men from Jarvis Christian to make the pledge journey through the Sigma Sigma Chapter. On March 19, 1971 Terry Gordon and Roosevelt Woodard crossed the “Burning Sands of Omega.” These three young men made a daily 40-mile trip in order to complete their pledge period.

Brother Terry Borens who was an undergraduate of the Sigma Sigma Chapter served as a guiding light in establishing Phi Beta “Death” Chapter. Graduate Omega men on campus during this period who also played a vital role in establishing the chapter as well were: Charles Hodge, Simon Edwards (Omega Chapter), Dr. Martin Edwards, Dr. Robert Harper, Dr. Marshall Lanier, T.L. McGill (Omega Chapter), and D.L. “Danny” Brooks. Dr.(s) Martin Edwards M.D. and Dr. Robert Harper D.D.S. were the official campus health care providers. A Hawkins community leader, Brother Thomas “T.H.” Burton (Omega Chapter), also aided with the chapter’s arrival. All of these men were part of the founding of the Phi Beta Chapter.

With the help of above named Omega men, the three undergraduate Omegas began the “Charter Line” of the Phi Beta Chapter. On November 19, 1971, the following eight young men “Crossed the Burning Sands of Omega” and Jarvis Christian College birthed “Phi Beta” Chapter. Charter line members are Larry D. Connor, Woodrow Coleman, Arthur Morris, James Wilkerson, Ronald Howard, Joseph Bonner, Phillip Ferguson and Ray Brown. The official Charter was granted on October 18, 1971.

During the spring of 1972, the “Beta” line of the chapter was initiated in the Fraternity on May 4, 1972 by past District Representative warren Berry. The new six Omega Men were Dennis Mitchell, James Turner, Willie Hinchen, Andrew Pates, Robert Morris, and Clyde Clemmons. Beginning with the Fall of 1972, the “Gamma” line Brother Charles Holmes became the chapter’s advisor. Members of that line were: Bertram Garner, Thomas Oden, Gregory Young, and Ronnie Bennett. Brother Charles Holmes served as chapter advisor for 25 years until he entered the Omega Chapter in January 1996.

Brother Dr. Marshall Lanier, Brother Charles Holmes, Brother Harold Abney, Brother Larry Fagget, Brother Larry Everett, Brother Willie Hinchen serve as chapter advisors. In the Fall of 1987 “The 3 sons of Blood and Thunder” Troy Evans, John Barker, and Kahn McClendon entered into the folds of Omega. Passing on the Torch to Larry Allen, Rodney Davis, and Warren Bell of the, “3 Hot *****” line of Spring 1988. Brother Mark Brown was initiated in the spring of 1990, was called to duty and served in “Operation Desert Storm.”

On December 8, 1991 Brother William E. Watkins, Texas State Representative, initiated the following brothers: Corey Allen, Daryl Henry, Brain Cooper, Brain Moore, Leonard Burns, and James McBride, Jr. Their line was the 22nd line (Chi Pledge Class) to cross through the beloved chapter. James McBride was the first member of the chapter to be known as the two time National Scholar in the years 1993 and 1994. In the Spring of 1993 the chapter received three more loyal members Thomas Dotson, Frank Mosely, and Leonard Shelton.

In the Fall of 1994 five enthusiastic young men were initiated through this chapter by past Ninth District representative Brother James L. Wise who entered the Omega Chapter on May 20, 1995. These five young men: Eric Jordan, Kevan Hinchen, Jarrod Tubbs, Bryson Sheffield, and Cedric Higgs have continued to represent the Fraternity’s strive for scholastic excellence by producing two District Scholars in the years 1994 and 1995.

The Following semester (Spring of 1995) the chapter expanded by initiated two more members to its solid foundation Mike Landry and Kelan Jones. With the 90’s proving to be an opportunity for Phi Beta to enlighten young enthused men, 2 more lines were initiated into the folds of the Fraternity. Spring of 1996 Donnis Branch, Kenneth McCollums, Cornell Price, and Kenneth Shackelford. In the spring of 1997, the chapter closed a strong and rich history by the same way they began with Thaddeus Marine. Brother Marine is the last of the long list of brothers to serve this prestigious chapter and currently keeps constant watch over the chapter that was literally “built from the ground up.” The chapter has produced one GE Scholar Brother Sherard Lightbourne and two Texas Scholar of the Year Award recipients Brother Lightbourne and Brother Kendrick Crenshaw.

From Brother Melvin Jefferson Jr. to Brother Thaddeus Marine, every Phi Beta brother that has been initiated here at Jarvis Christian College has participated in officially recognized ceremonies and ritual practices of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. This is something all Phi Beta brothers pride themselves on. To date, 110 plus brothers have been initiated in the Fraternity through the Phi Beta Chapter. We are looking forward to our future. In April 2007, at the 70th 9th District meeting in Houston Texas, Brother Willie (Mercenary) Hinchen, a legendary brother of this beloved chapter, became the 21st 9th District DR. He was also elected Vice DR of the mighty 9th District in April 2004. Phi Beta Chapter is very proud of this extremely hard working, good brother and his tremendous accomplishments.