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RHO XI CHAPTER HISTORY {1977 – 2017} 40 Years of Service 

I. The Birth of Rho Xi  

Rho Xi chapter was born August 31, 1977, at the Shrimp Hut Restaurant, in Surfside Tx.  Brother Samuel W. Prince, Ninth District Representative and Brother John Captain, South Texas State Representative presented Seven Mighty Omega Men with a charter for service to the Brazoria County Area south of Houston, Texas.The application for the Graduate Chapter Charter was made to the Supreme Council of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the Ninth District Representative, Brother Samuel Prince, on June 10, 1977 in Freeport, Texas.  Brother Samuel R. Shepard, was Acting National Executive Secretary of the fraternity at the time of the chapter Charter.Brother Prince made the following comments regarding the chapter charter application, “I recommend chartering of this chapter.  Most of these Omega Men, I am acquainted with and I feel that they will produce a chapter that Omega will be proud of. This city is located 60 miles south of Houston on the Gulf of Mexico, an industrial city, sea port and boating resort, with Dow Chemical Company as one of the major industries.   They are all young men and dedicated to the cause.”

II. Building the Foundation “ The Early Years”

 Rho Xi Chapter's First Executive Council 

Basileus: James Doss

Vice-Basileus: Donald W. Thomas (replaced by Louis Moore)

Keeper of Records And Seal: Thomas Green Jr.

Keeper of Finance: Winston Lucas

Keeper of Peace: Clifford Ward

Chaplain: Frank Lynch

Editor to the Oracle: Clifford Ward

Rho Xi Membership increased within a month with the addition of the following three Brothers. Bro. Terry Gordon (SP71 Sigma Sigma / Texas College & Phi Beta Jarvis Christian College Charter Member),  Bro. Joseph Bonner ( SP72 Phi Beta /Jarvis Christian College) and Bro. Donald Thomas ( SP72 Rho Theta / Prairie View A & M University). Our early members were all outstanding black men in the community with successful professions. Most met as employees at the Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas. In addition they sought out fraternal friendship through the recognition of  the shield, greek letters, and other forms of fraternal identification. Rho Xi's initiated its "First Line" in 1979 to include Bro. Kenneth McMillan, (Omega Chapter), Bro. Jerry Robinson (Omega Chapter) and Bro. David Tyler. These brothers immediately served the chapter in various capacities and were an essential element of growth in the early years.

III. Rho Xi Superior Service at Various Levels of the Fraternity

Rho Xi Chapter and its members have served the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and community in various capacities.

International Headquarters of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 

• In 1994, Bro. Wendle Van Smith was appointed by 35th Grand Basileus Bro. Dr. Dorsey Miller to chair the International Grand Tribunal. He served in this position from 1994 to 1998. 

• In 1998, Bro. Smith sat on the Supreme Council Internationally as Ninth District Representative to help make decisions in regards to the direction of the Fraternity. He is the first Rho Xi chapter brother to serve Internationally on the Supreme Council. He served in this position from 1998 to 2000. 

• For various years, Bro. James Doss (Omega Chapter) served as an International Talent Hunt Committee Member. 

• In 2002, Bro. Wendle Van Smith was appointed by 37th Grand Basileus Bro. Geroge H. Grace to chair the International Constitution and By-Laws Committee. Bro. Smith diligently chaired this committee from 2002 to 2006. 

• For various years,  Bro. Jeffrey Williams served Internationally as the Fraternities Life Membership Secretary. 

• In 2015, Bro. Alex Herman (Omega Chapter) was appointed to serve on the International Economic Development Committee by 40th Grand Basileus Antonio Knox, Sr as a representative from the Ninth District. 

• November 2016, Bro. Frank Watson was appointed to serve on the International Economic Development Committee by 40th Grand Basileus Bro. Antonio F. Knox, Sr. as a representative from the Ninth District. 

• August 2017, Rho Xi Chapter received a proclamation for forty years of service to the Fraternity from 40th Grand Basileus Bro. Antonio F. Knox, Sr.  The 40th Anniversary Celebration was chaired by Bro. Frank Watson and Bro. Vincent Manning served as vice chairman. 

The Ninth District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, & Texas) 

• In 1986, Bro. Wendle Van Smith was elected to serve the Ninth District as District Counselor becoming the first Rho Xi Chapter Brother to serve on the Ninth District Council. The Ninth District Council is the highest governing body for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity members within the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas with eight elected officers and various appointed members. 

• March 1991, at the Annual Ninth District Meeting, Bro. Terry Gordon was selected as the Ninth District Citizen of the Year. 

• In 1995, Bro. Wendle Van Smith was elected as the Ninth District's 1st Vice Representative. He served in this role for three consecutive terms until 1998. 

• In 1998, Bro. Wendle Van Smith was elected to serve as Ninth District Representative. He served in this position from 1998 to 2000. 

• April 2001, Rho Xi Chapter co-hosted the 64th Ninth District Meeting in Houston, TX. 

• April 2005, at the 68th Ninth District Meeting in Monroe, Louisiana Bro.  Robert Morgan Jr. was elected as Ninth District Keeper of Records and Seal becoming the second Rho Xi Brother to serve on the Ninth District Council. 

• July 2006,  Rho Xi Chapter Bro. James Doss (Omega Chapter) was appointed by Ninth District Representative Bro. Todd Clemons to serve as District Marshal. Becoming the third Rho Xi Chapter Brother to serve on the Ninth District Council. Through Brother Doss and the Houston Coalition efforts, Houston set a record breaking number of 950 registered attendees at the 70th Ninth District Meeting. 

• Rho Xi Chapter has had two brothers awarded Ninth District Omega Man of the Year. Bro. Robert Morgan won this prestigious award in 2007 and Bro. Omar Sesay received it in 2009.  

• Under the leadership of Bro. Rahsaan Cook (Basileus) and Bro. Omar Sesay (Vice Basileus) Rho Xi Chapter won its first Ninth District Chapter of the Year Award for service completed within the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

• In 2013, Bro. Jeffrey Williams was elected by a group of Ninth District International Life Members to serve as Region 9 Life Membership Director. 

• In 2014, Bro. Erick Powers was elected to serve in leadership on the Ninth District Council as District Chaplain becoming the forth Rho Xi Brother to serve on the Ninth District Council.  He served three consecutive terms filling the position from 2014 until 2017. 

• In 2015, Bro. Rahsaan Cook  was appointed as a sub committee chairman to the Ninth District Achievement Week Committee by Bro. Kenneth Terrell Ninth District Representative.  

• April 2017, The Ninth District Talent Hunt was named in honor of Bro. James Doss. 

• April 2017, Bro. Frank Watson was appointed to the Ninth District Assistant Keeper of Records and Seal Team by District KRS Bro. Avery Matthews. 

Texas 

• May 1986, Rho Xi Chapter charter member James Doss along with the Angleton Willing Workers are responsible for the re-birth of the Juneteenth Celebration in the Brazoria County Area. In the same year Bro. Terry Gordon established the Martin Luther King Celebration. These events were not organized and celebrated by the community at the time. Their efforts have created a great legacy of attendance and historical reflection within the local African-American community and the population as a whole.

• Bro. James Doss (Omega Chapter) served as Southeast Texas State Representative for various years. 

• May 1991, Rho Xi Chapter helped chartered Nu Delta Delta Chapter at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas 

• In August 1997, under the chairmanship of Bro. Wes Biggs , Rho Xi hosted its first Golf Tournament. This Golf Tournament has been an annual affair since its inception and has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships. 

• May 1999, Rho Xi Chapter helped reestablished Eta Mu Chapter at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas and assumed the role of Graduate Chapter Advisor.

• Also in May 1999, under the Chairmanship of Bro. Melvin Henderson, Rho Xi started the  Memorial Day Boat Ride.  Nu Phi Chapter was invited to Co-sponsor this highly successful annual event. The Boat Ride has been a successful fundraiser for the chapter since its inception. 

• In 2000, Bro. Robert Morgan was appointed to serve as Southeast Texas State Representative . He served in this position from 2000 to 2005. 

• February 2000, Rho Xi served as Host Chapter for The Lone Star State Ques (LSSQ) Annual Meeting. Rho Xi Chapter Bro. Kenneth McMillan (Omega Chapter) served as State Secretary and Bro. Melvin Henderson as State President.  

• On February 17, 2009, Rho Xi was selected as “New Group of the Year” by the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. After hosting successful blood drives which in turn help save over 600 lives.

• In 2010, Bro. Omar Sesay was appointed to South East Texas Membership Selection Process Chairman by Bro. Willie F. Hinchen 21st Ninth District Representative.

• In 2010, Bro. Raylon Haley was elected to serve as President of the Houston Area Coalition of Chapters.  He served within this position from 2010 to 2014. 

• In 2015, the South East Texas Talent Hunt Program was named in honor of Bro. James Doss. 

• In 2016, Bro. Frank Watson was elected to serve as Vice President of the Houston Area Coalition of Chapters. 

• February 2017, Bro. James Doss was inducted into the Lone Star State Ques Hall of Fame.

The Rho Xi Chapter is known for its hard work and dedication to the Brazoria County and Houston communities. With a rich history of service, and a proud legacy of accomplished members, we have contributed greatly to fraternal and community advancement. Long live the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Mighty Rho Xi Chapter. We hope to continue to live our creed and be a shining light in the community for years to come.

 IV. Rho Xi Chapter Lineage

From 1979 to 2015 forty four brothers have been initiated as graduate members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through Rho Xi Chapter. 

Spring 1979 - 

1. Kenneth McMillan (Omega Chapter) 

2. Jerry Robinson (Omega Chapter) 

3. David Tyler   

Spring 1983 - Front And Back Page

1. Curtis Deal

2. Mark Harkness

Spring 1990 – Three the Hard Way

1. Ernest Cain (Omega Chapter) 

2. Wes Biggs

3. Lloyd Choice

Spring 1997 -

1. Charles Dunn III

2. Rodney Goodie

Fall 1997 – Three to the Heart / December 6, 1997

1. Clyde Jackson

2. Christopher Mathis  

3. Roosevelt Leday (Omega Chapter)

Fall 1999 – Dynamic Duo / December 4, 1999

1. Rahsaan Cook  

2. Clarence White III

Fall 2000 - Three Degrees / December 9, 2000

1. Willie Smith III

2. Joseph Washington

3. Jaffar Milledge

Spring 2003 – The Mercenary Three / March 27, 2003

1. John Crockett 

2. Christopher Eckford 

3. Elijah Barefield III  

Fall 2003 – The Ferocious Five / November 22, 2003

1. Rodney D. Butler  

2. Jason Johnson  

3. Terrance Johnson

4. Curtis Harris 

5. Freddy Blanks  

Spring 2004 – The Trilogy / April 3, 2004

1. Desnick McCullough

2. Reginald Moore

3. Jeffrey Goston

Summer 2008 – Terrible Two / June 28, 2008

1. Nate Grace  

2. Courtney Linvel 

Fall 2009- EΩSive Three / October 31, 2009

1. Joel McMillan 

2. Frank Watson  

3. Jakarta Edwards 

Spring 2011- One Son of Perseverance / April 2, 2011

      1. Emanuel Uwajeh

Fall 2015 – Prime Nine Ωpostles / November 28, 2015

1. Michael Evans  

2. Jordal Gipson  

3. Craig Jones

4. Eric Woodard

5. Kevin Wanzer

6. Derrick McWilliams Sr. 

7. Calvin Greene II

8. Jerome Ryans

9. Benjamin Coleman