PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY INC.
Mu CHAPTER
Est. 1922
Mu Chapter History
Mu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. was chartered on May 11th, 1922 by twenty-one elite and worthy college-educated men looking to make a difference in their community. The efforts of Mu Chapter, however, have extended far beyond the boundaries of Lincoln University’s campus. In 1923, the chapter hit the ground running with the birth of the “Clean Speech” program. This program served as one of the earliest platforms advocating for black men in the community. It provided a scaffold for how Black men should present themselves, exude gentlemen qualities, and refrain from using explicit language. Throughout the years, Mu Chapter constantly found ways to evolve while making constant efforts to cater to the needs of the Black community. In the mid-1930’s, Mu Chapter produced the adaptation of “Bigger and Better Negro Business”, an annual on-campus program comprised of men who by virtue of their experience and achievement, could impress upon students the importance and extent of the progress made by Black male role models in the business field. In doing so, this program aided in promoting another national program that now goes by the strikingly similar name, “Bigger and Better Business.” By the end of the decade, Mu chapter worked with the National Body of Sigma to conduct “Bigger and Better Negro Business Week.” This week helped create employment opportunities for Black people during World War II. Mu chapter helped show students that there were still business opportunities for black people even during such a difficult time in history.
Whether it be Better Negro Business Week or other events such as “Punk Rock” or “Sleep Out for the Homeless”, growth and caliber have been Mu Chapter’s most fundamental characteristics for more than 98 years. Serving on Student Government Association, Royal Court, Student Life, and Pan Hellenic Council, members of our chapter have served Lincoln University’s campus in leadership positions throughout history. As Men of Mu we pride ourselves on fighting the good fight as our sacred cause advances to prevail. We raise our voices as Sigma Men of old and sing its chorus with our founders
"Our Cause Speeds on its way."
Notable Members
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe
(November 16, 1904 - May 11, 1996)
First President of Nigeria
Nnamdi Azikiwe, usually referred to as "Zik", was a Nigerian statesman who was Governor General of Nigeria 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 - 1966 (when Nigeria became a republic.) Considered a driving force behind the nation's independence, he became known as the "father of Nigerian Nationalism". He arrived in the United States in 1925 where he attended several schools. Azikiwe earned multiple certificates and degrees, including a bachelor's and master's degrees from Lincoln University in 1930 and a second master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania also in 1930. He pledged Mu Chapter in the Spring of 1929. He was a mentor to Kwame Nkrumah and returned back to Nigeria in 1937. After his return to Africa he started his own newspaper called "The West African Pilot". According to records his newspaper was the most influential native paper on the continent. Azikiwe's influence was so potent that he sent 15 of his proteges to study at Lincoln in 1938. In 1946 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws along side the celebrated scientist Albert Einstein.
Kwame Nkrumah
(September 21, 1909 - April 27, 1972)
First President of Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian politician and revolutionary. He was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, having led the Gold Coast to indolence from Britain in1957. An influential advocate of pan-Africanism, Nkrumah was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity nd winner of the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962. When Nkrumah arrived to the United States, he sought entry to Lincoln University some time before he began his studies there. On March 1, 1935, he sent the school a letter noting that his application had been pending for more than a year. When he arrived in New York in October of 1935, he traveled to Pennsylvania, where he enrolled despite lacking the funds for the full semester. He soon won a scholarship that provided for his tuition at Lincoln. He remained short of funds through his time in the US. To make ends meet, he worked in menial jobs, including as a dishwasher. On Sundays, he visited black Presbyterian church in Philadelphia and New York. Nkrumah pledged Phi Beta Sigma in the Spring of 1937 and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and sociology in 1939. He also gained a Bachelor of Theology degree from Lincoln in 1942 as the top student in the course. After he earned a Master of Arts degree in philosophy and a Master of Science in education at University of Pennsylvania.
