Since we heard about Delta Xi Nu (ΔΞΝ) earlier this semester,  let’s talk about another Greek organization on campus, the black and red bulldogs known as Omega Rho fraternity (ΩΡ) here at Centenary University.

Today, Omega Rho boasts a bulldog brotherhood of five active Brothers. But you could say it’s come a long way over the years. Omega Rho was first founded at Kearny High School in 1957 by the “Original Ten.” However, the fraternity was disbanded in 1976 due to a lack of members joining the fraternity. Omega Rho was reestablished at Centenary College (original name at the time) on October 22, 1989. Again, however, the fraternity was disbanded in 2012. Omega Rho was again reestablished at Centenary University on January 28, 2018. 

We wondered what drew present and alumni CU students to become a Brother of Omega Rho and the impact this experience has provided.

Cool guy. A place to call home.

Senior Osaivbe Igebor, President

Ever since I was a kid, I have always seen frats and orgs on shows and movies. I just thought, that's really cool. When I was a kid, I thought if I joined a frat org, I would be a really cool guy in college and get all the girls. But as I got older, I realized, I actually want to be in it just to have a bond, have somewhere I can call home whenever I want. Even before I got to college, when I was taking tours, I was interested in Greek life and orgs which led me to want to join an org here when I first came to Centenary.

To start a new chapter in my life.

Senior Troy Sumper, Vice President

I joined Omega Rho to get out of my comfort zone and wanted to start a new chapter in my life, I didn’t get to do much in high school, but coming to Centenary and joining Omega Rho changed me for the better, and learning about the friends whom I call Brothers would have a huge impact on me.

Inclusivity and community service.

Junior Jayden Hall

What made me want to join Omega Rho was the feeling of inclusivity and community service. Ever since I’ve met my Omega Rho Brothers, I never felt ostracized or out of place. Despite being extremely introverted and stand-offish, I was still welcomed with open arms and treated with the same kindness as existing members.

Leadership and trust.

Sophomore Jacoby Stewart

Omega Rho gave me the growth and brotherhood I was longing for. I was able to trust and be trusted. Nowadays, it's become hard to fully trust people, but I've grown both in self and community. I became more involved and more able to uphold my leadership impact across campus.

Leadership and teamwork.

Alumnus Jason Toledo

Omega Rho was one of the biggest impacts during my time at Centenary. I knew I was always a leader, but being with the brothers and eventually being elected chapter president put my skills to the test. It taught me how to time manage and work with a team to achieve the goals that we had set out to achieve. Being in Omega Rho showed me the value of brotherhood and what it means to have people you truly love and care about, and to achieve greatness together. As much as I thought I was helping my brothers and pushing them to be great, in the end, they were the ones that pushed me the most and having people that always want the best out of each other was the biggest motivation and the biggest impact that I had with my time there.”

Becoming culturally aware.

Alumni Tyrese Fraser

Omega Rho helped me become more open-minded. We had so many different guys from different backgrounds, so it helped in teaching me about other cultures and ways of thinking. I believe the biggest skill I got out of it wasn’t just personality and business management, but talent recognition in others.”

Being a member of a fraternity (or sorority) has a lasting impact. Following are some thoughts on this from Omega Rho brothers, past and present.

Brothers for life.

Osaivbe Igebor

Omega Rho to me – which I didn't have before because this brotherhood – is people who I'll have for the rest of my life. Even though I met my brother Troy before I was in a frat, Omega Rho only strengthened our bond. I have other brothers who don't even go to school anymore, who I'm still in contact with, and will remain in contact with, hopefully until the day I die, because that's what Omega Rho does. Not  just Omega Rho but frats and orgs in general bring people together and make you feel at home. 

Growth.

Troy Sumpter

To me, Omega Rho means growth. When I started, I was a little shy and hesitant about joining. After I joined, my growth of character development and the confidence boost that I got over the years was incredible, including meeting a lot of brothers who I call family. Omega Rho has done a lot for me and still to this day I’m proud to be a part of Omega Rho.

Community.

Jayden Hall

Omega Rho is essentially what I wanted out of my overall college experience; a sense of community, chances to meet new and interesting people, and several opportunities to figure out the person I wanted to be by graduation.

Brotherhood. Loyalty. Commitment.

Jacoby Stewart

Omega Rho is brotherhood, loyalty, and community. Omega Rho is what brotherhood should be – no matter the distance, background, or beliefs – we come together and redefine greatness.

Kept me going.

Tyrese Fraser

The fraternity is what kept me going during my undergrad journey, and also enabled me to flourish as an individual, to better help the masses, so it has a special place in my heart. For me, Omega Rho means self-actualization.

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Omega Rho had fallen on tough times (lack of members) but in 2018, a group of young men decided to recolonize the fraternity.

“Our decision to revive the Omega Rho fraternity was driven by a desire to make a significant impact on campus,” said alumnus  Franklin Funez. “During our freshman year at Centenary, we noticed a lack of a strong Greek Life presence; only one other fraternity was active at the time. After researching Centenary's history, we discovered Omega Rho and its tradition of organizing events, fostering school spirit, engaging in community service, and connecting with local businesses. Inspired by this legacy, we contacted alumni and began the process of bringing Omega Rho back to campus.” 

Brandon Bundy, another alumni brother added, “We wanted to rebirth Omega Rho to create a space on campus where people from all walks of life could come together and build a true brotherhood. Growing up with my identical twin brother, Justin, I was always surrounded by close friends who felt like family. That sense of connection and belonging was something we valued deeply, and we wanted to extend it to others. Omega Rho was founded on the belief that brotherhood transcends backgrounds, ideologies, and personal journeys. No matter where you come from or where you’re headed, this organization exists to unite individuals and foster a bond that goes beyond differences. One of our core mottos is that brotherhood has no colors. That principle is at the heart of everything we do,” said Bundy.

“We wanted to rebirth the Fraternity to provide an opportunity for members to mentor younger peers while also learning to be mentees themselves,” said Justin Bundy, alumni brother. “This fraternity became something we could call our own—a legacy to nurture, grow, and eventually pass on to the next generation. Through Omega Rho, we aimed to promote positive values, uphold strong ethics and morals, and show that chivalry is still alive.”

“To me, Omega Rho represents unity—the idea that no matter our differences, we always come together and support one another,” continued Bundy. “In life, people will have conflicting ideas and beliefs, which can sometimes lead to discomfort or disagreement. But what truly matters is recognizing that, at the end of the day, we are still brothers.”

He added, “Brotherhood isn’t about always seeing eye to eye; it’s about standing by each other despite our differences. It’s about having each other’s backs, showing respect, and upholding the bond we share. That’s what Omega Rho means to me.”

Eunice Boyd, Advisor of Omega Rho

Eunice Boyd, associate director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), currently serves as advisor to the fraternity.

“I am so proud of these young men.  Over the years, they have made a huge impact on our community and others as well,” said Boyd. “One of the examples that comes to mind is, during Thanksgiving time, they went out and collected donations, including turkeys, stuffing, gravy, corn muffin mix, and more. to make the ideal Thanksgiving meal. Then, they collectively decided which community they were going to give the meals to.  Often, they also volunteer at the Trinity Church where they serve meals, and unload trucks of food to restock the food pantry.  Anytime EOP needs a helping hand, they go out of their way to ensure assistance is available, no questions asked. I believe these young men have big hearts and are solid human beings.  They are kind, polite, respectful, and truly dedicated to the cause.  I am so honored to be their advisor.”

Omega Rho and Community Service

Omega Rho is also known for their community service around campus and Hackettstown. 

According to Kathy Greco, Dean of Student Success, “Omega Rho has completed the highest number of community service hours of any group on campus from 2021-2024.  They have created community relationships that benefit the community, Omega Rho, and Centenary They were the first Recognized Student Organization to fully embrace the idea of community partnerships and commit to helping community partners on a regular basis.”

Understanding what Omega Rho means to both past and present brothers who are current members or have alum status, the impact that Omega Rho has on community service, the fraternity will always stay on campus, leaving a bigger mark than its predecessors left. Even though a few brothers are leaving, it’s safe to say Omega Rho’ legacy remains. 

Omega Rho brothers live by these words:

"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story" - Orson Welles