Gamma Pi's Project ENRICH Uses Adversity of Last-Minute Relocation to Deliver a Powerful Opening Ceremony

There were no more seats in the room. Late-comers had to either stand in the back or borrow chairs from the nearby hallway or from an adjacent room. The sea of Purple and Gold worn by Omega men who were in attenance to assist and support the effort merged with the Purple and Gold apparel of Project ENRICH students who were adorning their brand new purple and gold "PE" monogrammed sweaters. This was the scene this morning as Gamma Pi Chapter's Project ENRICH program held its 40th year anniversary opening ceremony at the Greater Mount Nebo AME Church in Bowie, MD.

Earlier in the week, Project ENRICH found itself somewhat stalled as the federal government shutdown forced the closing of its usual meeting facility, the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, MD. As Omega men do, Bro. Rev. Dr. Gerald Folsom, pastor of Greater Mount Nebo and a longtime member of the Fraternity and currently Gamma Pi Chapter, stepped forward offering his church to the students to keep the 2025-26 program opening from being cancelled or relocated to a faraway place. Omega men do it all the time -- looking out for each other and the community.

"Project ENRICH, we are many things But we are one when it comes down to our motto, Excellence Without Excuses," said Director Bro. Dr. George Montgomery in opening remarks.

So, despite the last-minute change of venue and the lingering uncertainty about the continuing shutdown, Project ENRICH's staff of Gamma Pi men, along with students and parents, rallied to make the opening ceremony one of the best in memory. The situation was the perfect tee up for keynote speaker Bro. Dr. Edward Ryans, Associate Superintendent for Prince George's County, who lit a fire of expectation and excellence under the students with an uplifting message of understanding their "purpose, power and potential," and having a vision of the future.

"Life is about the choices you make. Every day you show up, you're not just telling the world about your dreams. Instead, you're creating it."

This year, 140 students registered for Project ENRICh from 50 area schools, mostly in Prince George's County, but also Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Charles counties as well as Washington, D.C. A total of 36 are seniors. The program is open to students in grades 9-12. 

The opening ceremony included a formal "pinning," a practice startedted last year, and the introduction of monogrammed cardans worn by each student.

The opening ceremony drew the interest of local media. NBC affiliate WRC-TV Channel 4 deployed a camera crew during the early part of the program. Bros. Rev . Dr. Folsom and Dr. Montgomery were interviewed by the reporter.

PHOTOS BY BRO. GEORGE DUBOSE

Links to more Project ENRICH articles:

Closing Scholarship Banquet (May 2025)

Black History Month Session (February 2025)

Project ENRICH featured on TV (November 2024)

Opening Ceremony for 2024-25 (October 2024)

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FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Gamma Pi's Prolific Charter Member Bro. Tim McIntosh Honored at 55th Anniversary for His Role in Founding Nearby Mu Nu Chapter

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Good of the Order is an occasional series highlighting the accomplishments of the men of Gamma Pi Chapter.

Gamma Pi Chapter's most distinguished member, Charter Member and first Basileus Brother Timothy McIntosh, was recognized and honored recently at neighboring Mu Nu Chapter's 55th Anniversary Celebration. He was presented a medallion as a 1970 charter member of Mu Nu, which is based in nearby Rockville, MD in Montgomery County. Brother McIntosh is a founding member of Mu Nu along with Former Vice Grand Basileus Brother Dr. Adam McKee. Brother McIntosh was also Gamma Pi’s ninth Basileus.

Brother McIntosh's recognition and award is really something that is shared with the entire community. As a result of his pioneering two Omega Psi Phi chapters in the DMV area, the local communities in Prince George's and Montgomery counties have benefited greatly from tens of thousands of hours of social action work that have come from both chapters that he helped start. He has tocuhed mroe lives than he can count from helping bring hundreds of Omega men together in two neighboring counties.

Omega Psi Phi Second District Representative Amir Shareef wrote in recognition of the celebration: “This anniversary is not only remembrance, but gratitude. Gratitude to the charter members and men like Brother Grand Adam McKee, whose spirit and service continue to shape the chapter’s path. Gratitude to men like Timothy McIntosh, whose contributions remind us that no progress is ever made alone."

In his anniversary remarks, Brother McIntosh, a retired senior federal employee, reflected on the fact that he was initiated in 1959 into Tau Psi Chapter at North Carolina Central University (then named North Carolina College). He stated that he never in his wildest dreams thought that he would be helping to charter a chapter in which one of his deceased Line Brothers’ son-in-law would be a financial member.

Brother McIntosh's admonition to the group was highlighting just how swiftly time passes, seemingly with the blinking of an eye. He mentioned that it has been 66 years since his initiation, 55 years since the chartering of Mu Nu Chapter and he is currently enjoying a healthy and happy life at the ripe "young" age of 86.

Mu Nu and Gamma Pi chapters and the Montgomery and Prince George's communities appreciate the contributions of this 66-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Maryland Football Coach Bro. Locksley of Gamma Pi Featured in National Media

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Good of the Order is an occasional series highlighting the accomplishments of the men of Gamma Pi Chapter.

Last year, Maryland football coach Bro. Michael Locksley of Gamma Pi Chapter persevered through a challenging 4-8 season. In 2025, it's a different feeling. Bro. Coach Locksley has gotten the Terrapins off to a fast start as he watches the national spotlight brighten each week on a supremely talented freshman quarterback he recruited from in-state. Bro. Locksley and the Terrapins' fast start is featured in a September 25 article in USA Today.

The article, "Maryland Was Lost, Found Its Way Back Behind Freshman QB, 64 New Players," talks about the Terrapins' struggles in 2024 and outlines how Bro. Coach Locksley regrouped and reshaped the team for this season where the team now stands at 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten) on a bye week break. Omega men are specially equipped to confront and overcome adversity.

In addition to his on-the-field success, Bro. Coach Locksley actively supports Gamma Pi's annual scholarship golf fundraiser by recruiting sponsors. In the broader community, he is a devoted advocate for mental health awareness. He was Gamma Pi Chapter's Omega Man of the Year in 2024.

Learn more about Bro. Coach Locksley's mental heath awareness leadership by viewing the current episode of Gamma Pi's long running "Community UPLIFT" community access TV show, which broadcasts on channels 42 (Verizon FiOS) and 76 (Comcast) in Prince George's County on Fridays (8 p.m. ET) and Saturdays (4 p.m. ET).

If you are outside of the broadcast viewing area, you can watch from anywhere in the world by viewing the livestream at www.pgctv.org.  This show and past episodes are also available on-demand on YouTube.

 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER: Gamma Pi Brother Puts His Money Where His Heart is for Black Scholarships

EDITOR'S NOTE: For the Good of the Order is an occasional series highlighting the accomplishments of the men of Gamma Pi Chapter.

Gamma Pi men have long arms of leadership that reach into the local community in many capacities. Sometimes, the reach extends even farther. One Brother, Lindsey Montgomery, Jr. (Chi Sigma Spring ‘83), continues to show leadership at his alma mater many years after graduating from Indiana State University. Brother Montgomery, a retired auditor, has been selected for the 2025 John P. Newton Spirit Of ISU Award at Indiana State University. This award was established in 2010 to honor an alumnus and emeritus administrator who gave longstanding service to Indiana State. The award recognizes outstanding alumni for their deep commitment to their alma mater.

Bro. Montgomery, who joined Gamma Pi in November 2018, will receive the honor in person on November 7, 2025, at the 2025 President's dinner honoring transformational philanthropy and Distinguished Alumni in Terre Haute.

Part of Bro. Montgomery’s recognition is attributed to his many years of leadership and enthusiastic support for scholarships for Fraternity Brothers and Black students at Indiana State. In 2018, Brother Montgomery donated $25,000 to establish the Chi Sigma Student Leadership and Alumni Memorial Endowed Fund to support members of Chi Sigma chapter matriculating at Indiana State.

At the time, Bro. Montgomery said: "We have several chapters in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. that have already established an endowment account at their respective universities, and this was the right time to give back to the university. We hope that each undergraduate brother will receive a stipend from the interest gained only and help with tuition, books, room and board cost as they work towards a degree."

In addition to the Chi Sigma scholarship, Brother Montgomery also established the Divine Nine $1,000 Annual Scholarship. A third scholarship, the Paul Cooper Memorial Scholarship, which is named for a Chi Sigma Brother who perished in a 1972 car crash, was established at the school and Bro. Montogomery will become the principle for that initiative when the scholarship is endowed.

Bro. Montgomery, representing Omega Psi Phi, is also leading the construction of the D9 National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza at Indiana State. Groundbreaking will take place at this year’s upcoming Homecoming 2025 during the weekend of October 10.

The Cincinnati native earned his degree in business administration and worked for 25 years as an auditor for the Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Washington, D.C. Bro. Montgomery attended Indiana State on a football scholarship and is a Past Basileus of Chi Sigma from his days on campus.

Omega’s bright light shines in our communities along the path lit by brothers like Lindsey Montgomery, Jr.