In 1914, Reverend Leonard F. Morse founded Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated along with A. Langston Taylor and Charles I. Brown on the campus of Howard University. Now, 105 years later, Morse is being honored with his very own day in his hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
"We're looking forward to the celebration on Jan. 12, knowing it it Rev. Morse's birthday and knowing it is to proclaimed his day, " Richard P. Farmer II, Massachusetts Area Deputy Director told South Coast Today.
Morse was the president of Phi Beta Sigma's first chapter, as well as the author of the fraternity's constitution. A year after founding one of the oldest and largest African American fraternal organizations, Morse graduated with a bachelor of arts and bachelor of education, becoming the first person to graduate with two degrees in three years.
His educational journey continued at Wilberforce University, where he earned a bachelor of divinity degree. He then obtained a master's degree from Northwestern University, and a degree of doctor metaphysics and doctor psychology from the College of Metaphysics in Indianapolis.
As a minister and teacher of a number of religious and academic institutions, Morse spent his life dedicated to upholding Phi Beta Sigma's motto of "Culture For Service and Service For Humanity."