Welcome
The Amazing Life and Times of Zachary C. Husser
Here we give honor and tribute to Brother Zach for his contributions to life during his 70 years with us!
AWARDS CEREMONY
The 2021 Zachary C. Husser Prize Virtual Event
After months of planning, coordinating and fundraising the first recipient of the Zachary Cornell Husser Prize was announced on Wednesday, October 20th! This virtual celebration of the
inaugural winner of the Zachary Cornell Husser Prize for Community Engagement and Empowerment is a dream come true for not only the organizers, but the community and current students that will benefit from this gift.
The prize honors Zachary Husser (CC ’70) who, as a student at Columbia, made critical and lasting contributions to the struggle for racial justice on campus and in Harlem during the 1968 student revolt and continued to work tirelessly for Black community empowerment until his passing in 2018.
The Husser Prize recognizes an undergraduate student registered at any school of Columbia University who has made enduring contributions to promoting social justice for Black people through political activism and community building on campus and beyond.
Congratulations to Haley Lucas - our 2021 Prize Winner!
Watch the video that was premiered at the event: https://youtu.be/3BAHDV8RZfk
Congratulations to HALEY LUCAS - our 2021 Prize Winner!
Scholarship
Donate to the Zachary Cornell Husser Prize
The Friends of Zachary C. Husser, Columbia University African American and African Diaspora Studies Department, along with Barnard College students and alumni and friends are working hard to raise funds for the endowment of a Prize in Brother Zach's honor!
The Prize for Community Engagement and Empowerment will be presented to annually to to students in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. The awarded student of African descent, will be one who's course of study and community engagement should reflect the vision of Zach that the University serves as an environment to foster Pan-African solidarity within the college and Barnard.
Brother Zach envisioned Columbia University and its students as resources and an asset to promote the empowerment of the Harlem Community and communities from which its students originated. As a young man from humble beginnings in Wilimington, DE, moving to the big city as a student athlete, on scholarship stretched himself to be a citizen of Harlem. It wasn't just the University life but the surrounding community that shaped Zach's life to keep pushing for inclusion, equal rights and cultural acceptance.
Please visit the Columbia University's Give Now page to donate today.
Donate at Givenow.Columbia.edu
FILM
#Rucker50
Released in 2016, #Rucker50 is a Netflix documentary that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Harlem sports program that has inspired countless city youth to become professional basketball players. Brother Zach was featured in the film - delivering poignant interviews of his experience playing in Rucker Park. Check it out with your family today!
ACTIVISM
Columbia University Non-Violent Protest of 1968
On April 23rd of 1968, Columbia University students occupied its buildings in a non-violent protest against campus research towards the Vietnam War as well as the construction of a gym - that would not be accessible to the Black student population. Due to failed negotiations, the administration sent in the police force, injuring many and arresting over 700 students. As a result, a campus-wide strike broke out, shuttting down Columbia University.
Hundreds of students came to the sundial on Columbia's campus to protest the gym, led by the SAS and SDS. However, some took more direct measures; some went to Morningside Park to stop construction, tearing down fences to fight the police. Their demonstrations lasted for six days with no demands accepted. Finally in early April 30th, the University president, Grayson Kirk summoned the NYC police force. They broke through the occupied buildings and arrested more than 700 students, beating many who opposed them. However, thousands of students and faculty became radicalized by the police attacks and went on strike, effectively shutting down the campus.
Read more about this demonstration here: CLICK
Credit: DWJ's History Parlour
Zach at the Columbia University non-violent protest, against the Vietnam War and gym project,1968.
FRATERNITY
Mighty Omicron Chapter, Omega Psi Phi - 1st Line, 1967
The photo above is our line at Riis Beach [The Peoples Beach at Jacob Riis Park, Queens, NY] performing in the Summer of 1967. The line included: Robert Godfrey, Darryl Pitman, Nat Jones, Larry Frazier, Charles Jones, Zach Husser, Alford Depsey and Marvin Kelly. Cicero Wilson (not captured) was our Dog Captain and was probably on the side giving commands. We had everybody gathered around. The Alphas and Kappas were there also but everyone left them to check us out even though we were only pledgees!
- Larry Frazier, Esq, 2020
Omicron Chapter History
Originally Chartered in 1921 at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, The Omicron Chapter was relocated to Columbia University in New York City in 1968. On November 5, 2010, Omicron was revitalized after 15+ years of inactivity. The Omicron Chapter now serves the Columbia University community as well as the New York City Community at large.
Learn More
The Mighty Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Omicron Chapter covers Columbia University and all 4 year Universities/Colleges in the Boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, & Staten Island.
About Us
Sharing His Legacy is Our Mission
Zach, Jr. and Najah partnered
to create this site in their Dad's honor.
The knowledge, opinions, friendship and kindness is our gift to share with everyone through our Dad's works.