ΥΨ Basic “Charter Day”

ΥΨ Basic “Charter Day”

The Mighty Melodic Bloody-Up Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated was chartered on Friday, May 13th 1932 on the campus of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University by Dr. Henry Manning Efferson.

A native of Statesburg (Sumter County), South Carolina, Efferson held an A.B. Degree from Atlanta University and an M.A. from Columbia University, where he studied under a General Education Board Scholarship. During his tenure at FAMU, he served as instructor, professor, and head of the Department of Mathematics, Assistant Dean of Men, Director of FAMU’s Summer School, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Acting Dean of Students, Dean of the University, and Dean of Administration.

However, H. Manning Efferson will be most remembered for coming to FAMU’s rescue during one of its most trying times. In the later 1940s, FAMU was in the throes of one of its most serious crises. One part of the turmoil had to do with FAMU President Dr. Gray’s exodus from the University during a tense atmosphere of internal problems and external pressures. FAMU was feeling the birth of a revolution as the political, socioeconomic, and psychological climate during the early post war years was coming to a head and giving way to what would later be known as the Civil Rights movement.

At this time (July 8, 1949), H. Manning Efferson took over the reigns of our institution as the Acting President. He began to reconstruct harmony among the faculty, staff, and student body. Shortly after H. Manning Efferson assumed the top post, college and state officials, alumni, faculty members and students came forth to pledge their support and loyalty to him as he endeavored to stabilize a confusing situation and keep the school alive.

As FAMU presently drifts through its own tides of transformation, we salute H. Manning Efferson for being an example of stability in the midst of turmoil, a Rattler with the true FAMU spirit, and a man who started a legacy that all of the Brothers of Upsilon Psi are a proud part of.

“When a boy chooses to work his way through elementary school, and his parents walk 24 miles every week to bring him fresh laundry, then one understands why such a boy spends the total of his adult life in service to others.” — Dr. Henry Manning Efferson

Dr. Henry Manning Efferson is not only known as one of the catalysts for bringing Omega to FAMU, he also served as chief supporter during the early years of Upsilon Psi.

One of the most notable things our venerable chapter founder accomplished was serving as the university’s Interim President during the civil rights movement. President Gray’s Exodus left the University in array and the bruhz stepped up from 1949-1950 and stabilized FAMU in times of turmoil.

This hat is to commemorate the rich legacy of this Chapter and bring back a lil Upsilon Psi Tradition.