In doing my research on the rich and diverse history of Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity, Inc., the one consistent I have seen is that our founders Most Honorable Brothers A. Langston Taylor and Leonard F. Morse always provided mentoring support to collegiate chapters throughout the United States.
I have seen numerous photos of Bro. Leonard F. Morse in old Crescent magazines and other publications meeting with collegiate brothers in formal and informal settings. Bro. Morse had made his transition by the time I joined Phi Beta Sigma in 1985, but his impact on the brotherhood is forever captured in the research numerous brothers have conducted.
In 1961, our esteemed founder Bro. Morse had a sit down dinner with the 12 neophytes of Gamma Phi Chapter, Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL. (See attached picture from the Spring 1961 Crescent) I can only imagine how these neophytes felt after personally speaking and breaking bread with Bro. Morse. To study the history of Sigma; to hear the history of Sigma; and to meet Sigma history could only leave a brother with a sense of Sigma pride! This kind of mentoring by our founder gave greater awareness of the structure and commitment that our leaders were capable of providing collegiate brothers.
This had to be one of Bro. Morse’s last opportunities to mentor Sigma brothers. Soon after the publishing of this Crescent magazine, Bro. Morse made his transition.