Rhomeo
The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo Inc. | |
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ΣR | |
Type | Social |
Emphasis | Scholarship, Brotherhood, Community, and Service |
Mission statement | to empower collegiate men to build stronger families and communities in an effort to produce a positive impact on society. |
Slogan | “We Strive Today for Tomorrow’s Success” |
Colors | Antique Gold |
Symbol | Knight |
Publication | The Eternal Knight |
Chapters | 5+ |
Also Known As | Rhomeos, F.O.C.G., Sigma Rhomeos, Classy Gents |
Headquarters |
701 Commerce Street, Suite 620 Dallas, Texas United States |
Homepage | http://www.sigmarhomeoinc.org |
The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Incorporated. ( F.O.C.G. ΣR ) has its beginnings in the late 1920s. Then known as Sigma Gamma Rhomeos at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana; a chivalrous group of friends, boyfriends, and husbands to the sorority of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. Over the years The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen have taken various forms. On the campus of Prairie View A&M University on March 24, 1980 a group of men were organized to form a separate and independent social fraternity. By the mid 1990s F.O.C.G. had incorporated themselves and continue to grow and strive for success. The organization is made up of multicultural men from all walks of life and are known as simply “Rhomeos”.
The Beginning
In the early 1920s in Indiana, a time and location filled with racial discrimination and hate, a group of young men, girded the shield of the guardian. Their first assignment was to protect a group of school teachers that sought to form an organization that developed a platform for the black female educator. This organization is known as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. These men, known as Rhomeo's did not aspire to build their own legacy but rather protect the vision and dreams of those that were unable to do so themselves. As the time progressed and the climate changed so did the purpose of these men. They transitioned from guardian to builder. It was the job of Sigma Rhomeo to become whatever Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. could not, we walked side by side building a legacy that provided: service to the helpless while stressing the importance firm educational foundation.
On March 24, 1980, six newly inducted members of Sigma Gamma Rhomeo serving on the campus of Prairie View A&M University made a decision that would alter the perception of the affiliate. The decision was to organize a fully functional fraternity with an independently sovereign government. The men sought not only to offer services to their community but also to extend the right hand of brotherhood to all undergraduate students. The men known as "The Elites," aspired to bring forth a new fraternity from amongst their current choices based on the ideals of dedication, responsibility, and scholarship. A member from Prairie View A&M, Tony Stewart, created a new name to represent the fraternity's ideals, The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo.
In the fall of 1990, all Greek organizations disbanded their affiliates. As a result the fraternity’s name was changed to The Fraternal Order of Sigma Rhomeo Fraternity, Inc., in order to continue functioning as a social and cultural vehicle at universities. The purpose of the organization for their young men was to enhance brotherhood, social awareness, participation, and development, through social programs. This was prepared to strengthen the University's educational and cultural objectives.
The Classy Gentlemen of Sigma Rhomeo Fraternity, Inc. has marked well in changing the University's atmosphere and controversial nature of the fraternal system. The organization had realized the necessity for responsible behavior and sincere contributions for combined objectives of public image and personal growth. The fraternity established itself as an instrument of intellectual attainment, creativity, and academic excellence. The social function of the organization provides a variety of social situations to prepare its members for social awareness and maturity, which in return provides the vehicle whereby lasting friendships are built through fraternity life. Today, The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc., who are also known as "Rhomeos," are establishing more chapters each year. The social function of our organization provides a variety of situations in order to prepare its members for social awareness and maturity, which in return provides the vehicle whereby lasting friendships are built through fraternity life. Hence their slogan "We strive today for tomorrow's success." The fraternity is a non-profit whose aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and the education of youth are the hallmark of the organization's programs and activities. The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc. has over 1500 members with currently only 5 active undergraduate and alumni chapters throughout the United States. On November 4, 2011 the fraternity voted its third National President Minister Jason O. Alexander. President Alexander began his term with an aggressive approach towards rebuilding the fraternity’s structure, image, and community presence, awareness of brotherhood, graduation, membership relations, as well as chapter retention and growth.
The Founders
Reverenced as "The Elites" these young men sought to uphold the standards: Character bearing Personality, Friendship, Enthusiasm, and Justice and vowed to help the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to the best of their ability and promised never to bring shame to the illustrious names of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Rhomeo Fraternity These young men were:
- Charles Burleson
- Lowell Washington
- Fredrick Wells
- Algie Armstead
- Lance Wyndon
- Jimmy Williams
The Presidents
- 1999-2007 Most Honorable James L. Cook
- 2007-2011 Most Honorable Tahleb K. Shabazz
- 2011-2013 Most Honorable Jason O. Alexander
National Service
The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc. gives its service and assistance towards several of foundations, national and community events. The principles set forth was the bring the surrounding communities together and to sponsor as well as mentor young men by placing value in character, professionalism and service.[1] http://www.sigmarhomeoinc.org/
Membership
The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc. includes graduate and undergraduate men from a variety of fields and ethnicities.
Notable members
There are several notable members of The Fraternal Order of Classy Gentlemen: Sigma Rhomeo, Inc.
First Elected President and Fraternal Program Developer of the Sigma Rhomeo Fraternity. Brother Kevin Dennis, First pledge line "Aqua 10@Ten" Spring 81' Delta Alpha Chapter,Prairie View A&M University,Texas 1981-1984
Chapters
Below are lists of Undergraduate chapters that are current or once current as of 2001
- Savannah State College Alpha Iota
- Texas Southern University Alpha Lambda
- Lincoln University Alpha Mu
- Texas A&M University Alpha Mu
- Huston Tillotson Alpha Omega
- Texas Wesleyan University Alpha Psi
- Middle Tennessee State University Alpha Upsilon
- Alabama State University Beta Chi
- Temple University Beta Delta
- Wiley College Beta Gamma
- Grambling State University Beta Omega
- Florida A&M University Beta Upsilon
- Prairie View A&M University Delta Alpha
- Lamar University Delta Beta
- Texas College Delta Delta
- Florida State University Delta Epsilon
- Cameron University Delta Eta (Active)
- McLennan Community College Delta Gamma
- Emporia State University Delta Iota (Active)
- Edward Waters College Delta Kappa (Active)
- Ohio State University Delta Phi
- Elizabeth City State University Delta Tau
- Southern University Delta Theta
- Bethune-Cookman University Delta Zeta (Active)
- Knoxville College Gamma Gamma
- Paul Quinn College Gamma Iota
- Ramapo College Gamma Theta
- Langston University Iota (Active)
- Sam Houston State University Kappa Mu
- Jarvis Christian College Kappa Upsilon
- University of Oklahoma Lambda Upsilon
- University of Texas at Austin Mu Upsilon
- McMurry University Theta Iota
- University of Houston
- Waco (Colony)
Below are lists of Graduate/Alumni chapters that are current or once current as of 2001
- Houston Area Alumni
- Dallas Area Alumni
- Austin Area Alumni
Notes
- ↑ F.O.C.G. Sigma Rhomeo Inc. Official National Website