'Poisonous Pi Psi' Chapter at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ⚡Since 1929
Pi Psi Chapter (ΠΨ) History
Pi Psi chapter, affectionately referred to as “Poisonous Pi Psi”, was chartered by Brothers Alonzo V. Mercer and George Sheffey in February of 1929. It was the 40th chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Members of the charter line were Birtill A. Lloyd, James P. Phinnie, Elmer E. Howard, A. Bartholemew Jones, Ralph-Lane Mabry, Edward Ferguson Jr., and Amos D. Stewart. The Omegas' choice of men was admittedly the best on campus. One of the chapter's earliest notable members, Bro. Birtill Arthur Lloyd, a chemistry major, was a Bronze Tablet honoree for graduating in the top 3% of his class in 1930. Lloyd would go on to receive his Master's Degree from the University of Toronto in 1934, the Rosenwald Fellowship Grant in 1939, and his PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1940.
Bro. Birtill Arthur Lloyd, 1930 graduate and bronze tablet honoree, Chemistry PhD, 1940
Bro. Ralph Vaughn (Alpha, 1924) transferred from Howard University to the University of Illinois in the Fall of 1926 to pursue architecture. After taking some time off from classes, he returned to Howard University in the Fall of 1928 to become an apprentice draftsman. Vaughn resumed his studies at Illinois and became a valued member of Pi Psi chapter in its infancy, serving as Keeper of Finance from 1930-31, and Basileus from 1932-33. Vaughn was the first African-American set designer employed by MGM Studios, in 1941, and he was the designer of the Benjamin Banneker Memorial Sundial gifted to Howard University by the 1929 Lampados Club of Alpha chapter.
Architect, Bro. Ralph A. Vaughn (Alpha chapter, 1924) - Benjamin Banneker Memorial - "Sundial"
On December 8, 1933 on a nationwide "tour" of all fraternity chapters, Bro. William Baugh, who would later be elected the 15th Grand Basileus, visited Pi Psi. Bro. Baugh made his visit to gain first-hand information concerning the establishment of a chapter house. Following the purchase of two chapter houses by Alpha chapter near the campus of Howard University, the third chapter house in the fraternity was purchased by Pi Psi chapter. Twelve members of the chapter, including five undergraduates and seven graduates, contacted the Grand Chapter to solicit help in purchasing the house located at 1203 W. Stoughton, Champaign, Illinois. In 1934, at the 22nd Conclave in St. Louis the brotherhood voted to aid the brothers of Pi Psi in their efforts to purchase the home with a loan of $600. The Grand Chapter provided an investigative committee to make sure the purchase was proper and sent a favorable recommendation to the Supreme Council.
Pi Psi Brothers at Frat House, 1934