Recently, representatives on the local, regional, and national levels of Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc. visited the campus of Coahoma Community College (CCC). The group
met with CCC administration to make a donation and to discuss partnerships that would
ultimately benefit Coahoma students and local communities.
CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner welcomed the support and shared that past Coahoma presidents were members of the 111-year-old organization.
“They are supporting students of Coahoma by their act of generosity. It is fitting that the Omega Psi Phi fraternity would support students who attend a college that was founded by an Omega (B. F. McLaurin), and the second president of our college (James E. Miller) also belonged to the brotherhood of Omega Psi Phi,” said Towner. “Yet, beyond the sentimental connections of Coahoma to Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the financial support given to our college is empowering as we continue to uphold the mission of serving as the College That Cares.”
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is a historically African American fraternity. The organization was founded on November 17, 1911, by three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, and Frank Coleman, and their faculty adviser, Dr. Ernest Everett Just. Since its founding, the organization has chartered over 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters. Omega Psi Phi is the first fraternal organization founded at a historically black university.
Terrance Course, senior special assistant to the Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Davis Marion, says that the organization is happy to support CCC and that this act is a part of a national effort to support every HBCU.
“One of the visions of Dr. Marion was the fact that he wanted to cover (support) every HBCU in this nation. So, he started this program One Thousand for One Thousand —picking out 1,000 people to donate $1,000, hoping to raise $1 million,” Course shared. “We are targeting every HBCU in this nation.”
Course shared that funding and support from the government are important for the lifeblood of HBCUs. He said that the organization is making bold moves to ensure that these colleges and universities are supported on all levels. “Not only do we give back financially, but we also give back in the fight for monies given through the federal government,” said Course. “There have been two visits from the Divine Nine to the White House, talking to Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden. We are fighting for the survivability and sustainability of our HBCUs.”
Located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Coahoma Community College is one of the youngest HBCUs in the state but arguably the most comprehensive two-year HBCU in the nation.
The institution offers a variety of career and technical programs, five short-term programs, and the university-parallel general education program with 61 areas of study. Classes are offered online, in the classroom, and at extension sites within its five-county service area of Bolivar, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, Tunica, and Quitman counties.
From pertinent class and program offerings to competitive athletic programs, Coahoma Community College exists as the lone HBCU in the Mississippi Community College System. CCC endeavors to support a need that exists in the state, serving those who strive to achieve better, especially this of socially disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
Course said that the organization hopes to grow the partnership with Coahoma, building personal interest from those who would seek to invest in the college to help it grow and sustain.
“This check which was rendered today to Coahoma Community College was given at our Seventh District Meeting in Atlanta, Ga,” said Course. “We wanted to make sure this check was personally delivered to Coahoma Community College.”
Towner hopes more partnerships can be forged to help sustain the 73-year-old institution.
“Support from groups, individuals, and organizations enhances the college’s capacity to keep students in school so that they can reach their educational goals,” Towner added. “We are grateful to our friends of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for supporting the most comprehensive, two-year, HBCU institution on the planet as we work daily to bring uplift to the state of Mississippi.”