GAMMA MU OMEGA IOTAS (JACKSONVILLE ALUMNI)

Founded in 2007 by Nelson McCoy of Beta Chi, Brian Johnson of Beta Epsilon, Lenwood Bruce of Delta Phi, John Loyd-Montgomery of Gamma Omicron and Monwell Benson of the Ball State Colony, the Gamma Mu Omega (then Jacksonville Graduate Colony) of Iota Phi Theta was founded in the midst of a community lacking a youthful and motivated graduate chapter. Under the leadership of Brother McCoy (now former north Florida State Director from 2010 to 2017), the Gamma Mu Omega Chapter initiated their first line of brothers into the chapter in April of 2010 (Brandon Jacobs, Walter Brown, and Jay Nightingale) and never looked back; initiating new members, Hassan Tate and Justin Ewing in 2011 and 2012, respectively. 

     Along with growing their own chapter, the brothers of the Gamma Mu Omega Chapter have also assisted in the growth of Iota on an undergraduate level as well with Brother Nelson McCoy, Brother Mike Ranglin, and Brother Monwell Benson, all playing a pivotal role in the chartering of the colony of Iota Phi Theta (now the Theta Pi Chapter) on the Campus of the University of North Florida. In 2017, the Theta Pi chapter has celebrated 7 years as an active and influential chapter on UNF's campus and had transcended to unprecedented heights by winning Chapter of the Year, all due to their hard work and the assistance of the brothers from Gamma Mu Omega.

     In addition to expanding, Gamma Mu Omega has also worked alongside brothers from the Zeta Kappa Chapter at Edward Waters College in sustaining the deeply influential presence that their chapter has made on EWU’s campus and the presence of Iota in Jacksonville in general. Brother Josh Williams and Brother Brandon Chestnut are currently working together to continue to grow on the legacy that Zeta Kappa has built. In 2019, Bro. Brandon Jacobs returned to the chapter after moving back to Jacksonville after his departure in 2012, along with notable additions to the chapter like Delta Nu (University of Arkansas) initiate Mario Riley joining and Mark Harris (initiated from Theta Pi) becoming the chapter Polaris for Gamma Mu Omega to help move the chapter to the next level. Since 2020, Gamma Mu Omega has celebrated consecutive years adding new members and has begun the process of reclaiming brothers who have been inactive with the fraternity by creating quality programming and operating as a beacon of light for the Jacksonville community.

     Since 2010, the Gamma Mu Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta has made remarkable strides. Be it through being the first graduate chapter in all of the Jacksonville NPHC to successfully execute an annual week dedicated to community service, recognizing community leaders with their Brown & Gold Ball events, their annual Celebration of Fatherhood, their work with St. Jude's, or hosting Regional and Statewide Meetings, the impact of Gamma Mu Omega as a chapter simply cannot be overlooked. There's no question that this chapter is building traditions and will not rest until they are the reflection of the change they wish to see in the world.