Chapter I: The Beginning
On the 15th of March 1980 seven Sigma men – James INGRAM, Ronald LOCKHART, Phillip MIDDLETON, Melvin STONE, Richard WALKER, Francis WILSON, and John N. WILSON met at the home of Brother Stone to form a chapter of PHI BETA SIGMA Fraternity in the Colorado Springs area. The seven brothers became the charter members of Eta Nu Sigma Chapter of PHI BETA SIGMA Fraternity Inc o
n the 20th June 1980. The following brothers were elected officers of the newly formed chapters:
PRESIDENT - J. INGRAM, TREASURER- R. Walker, DIR OF SOCIAL ACTION – F. Wilson, DIR OF BBB - P. Middleton , DIR OF EDUCATION – R. Lockhart, DEAN OF PLEDGEES – J. Wilson, HISTORIAN – J. Wilson
The chapter continued to progress throughout the year making contact with other Pan Hellenic members in the area and getting involved in community activities. In accordance with the Social Action Programs the meetings were moved from the rotation of the Brothers’ homes to a local Black-owned Club for the benefit of both. This club was known as the Shadow Glen Lounge and meetings were held on the second Sunday of the month at 4:00 PM. At this time Eta Nu Sigma was functioning as the only active Graduate chapter in the state of Colorado with the inactivation of Delta Delta Sigma Chapter in Denver. ENS continued in small strides maintaining the Brotherhood in the chapter with family picnics and firewood cutting expeditions. Three other military brothers became associated with the chapter – Randy Harris, Edward Jones and Ernest Starks. Brother Bobby Jones was the first brother from the Denver area to join our chapter opening the door to the reactivation of the Denver chapter.
1980 proved to be the year of Survival for ENS seeing the departure of one of its first charter members to Europe. This occasion was marked with the presentation of a plaque to Brother Ingram and the first picture of the charter members at Brother Middleton’s home. Brothers Ernest Starks and Edward Jones also departed the area around this time frame for stateside assignments.
1981 arrived with the chapter struggling to survive with five financial members. Working toward consistency, ENS held its second annual picnic during the summer of 1981. Brother Andre Williams from Western Illinois University became associated with the chapter that summer. Hoping for growth and additional exposure ENS held its first Smoker on the 12th of July at 4:30 PM at the Shadow Glen Lounge. As a result, Carl Bowman, Jerry Greenwood and Clyde Jackson became the first Crescents initiated into the chapter. During this summer Brother Edward Jones returned to Colorado Springs area and he along with Brother Harris were instrumental in the Pledge program directed by Brother John Wilson that led to the initiation of Brothers Bowman and Greenwood into the chapter on the 2nd September 1981. This event being a significant event in the Chapter’s history the event was celebrated with a Sunday Brunch at the Peterson Air Force Base Officer’s Open Mess. The day was concluded with pictures in the Garden of Gods with Pikes Peak in the Background. The success of this day was due to the efforts of Brothers Williams and Stone. With a larger group, ENS launched its first social event – A Halloween Dance at the Holiday Inn North in Colorado Springs with music by the Hollow Point Band. Representatives from all the Pan Hellenic member organizations were in attendance and the brothers. It was a success thanks to the talent of our Director of Social Action and his wife (Brother F. Wilson). The Brothers concluded the year with a Christmas party for the family and special guests at Brother Bowman’s home on the 20th December 1981, where flowers were presented to the wives of Brothers Walker and F. Wilson for their support of us and their husbands. Rebirth:
When: Fall of 2018, we met at Brother Walter Campbells home to watch football and break bread. In attendance: Bro. Walter Campbell, Bro. Isaiah Ball, Bro. Don Cross, Bro. Dan Saunders, Bro. Harry Knight, Bro. Van McGee (via phone call)
Reinstatement: Paid for 2019-year, President Bro. Van McGee / Bro. Dan Saunders took over in (Oct 2019), Vice President Bro. Dan Saunders / Bro. Don Cross, Secretary Bro. Isaiah Ball, Treasure Bro. Walter Campbell, Chaplin Bro. Anthony Learned, Sgt of Arms Bro. Tony Ausby, member Bro. Harry Knight, member Bro. Sentwali Bakari, member Bro. Kenny O’Neal
