Pi Gamma Omicron

Pi Gamma Omicron (ΠΓΟ) was one of the first documented black collegiate fraternities which was founded in 1905.

History
The group was founded at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The group had 12 members. The group was not known by the Ohio State's registrars office but was known to the Chicago Defender newspaper which wrote an article about Pi Gamma Omicron. This article about Pi Gamma Omicron took the interest of Alpha Phi Alpha founder Robert H. Ogle who was inspired to transform Alpha Phi Alpha from a literary society into a fraternity.

It was reported that Pi Gamma Omicron initially desired to become a national fraternity by establishing chapters in Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana according to the Beta Theta Pi correspondent at Ohio State University, but this expansion did not occur.

One member, Elmer Shackelford, went on to earn his law certificate in 1906, then the equivalent of today's law degree.

Founders
The Founders of Pi Gamma Omicron were:
 * Leroy Barnett
 * William Berry
 * W. E. Davis
 * Richard Pettiford
 * Elmer A. Shackelford
 * John Shavers
 * Norman Thorne
 * H. A. Turner
 * C. C. Underwood
 * Walter Williams
 * William Woodward