- Omega Phi Gamma
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Omega Phi Gamma ΩΦΓ
Founded May 21, 1995
The University of Texas at AustinType Social Scope Regional Motto Bound By Honor, Rise Above All Colors Black, Gray, and White Symbol Dragon Chapters 2 Colonies 1 Nickname Omegas Headquarters Austin, Texas, USA Homepage http://www.omegaphigamma.com/ Omega Phi Gamma (ΩΦΓ), also known as Omegas or OPhiG, is an Asian-interest fraternity established in the Spring of 1995[1] at The University of Texas at Austin, with a second chapter founded at the University of Houston in the Spring of 2004.
Contents
History
The Founding of Omega Phi Gamma
The sisters of Sigma Phi Omega took their fall 1994 Big Brother program and merged it with other close friends of the sorority to form the original fraternity, Beta Omega Phi. What was envisioned by the founding fathers was an Asian-American organization that truly promoted the principles of brotherhood, and an organization that provided a balance between community service and social activity.
The founding fathers came together for the first time on November 18, 1994 as Beta Omega Phi. On December 2, 1994, the Betas officially introduced themselves with a new fraternity tradition, the step show. During the Spring of 1995, the Betas began working on gaining a charter from other already established Asian fraternities. However, they were unimpressed with the quality of the fraternities they visited, and so the founders voted unanimously to start a fraternity from scratch, Omega Phi Gamma.
On May 21, 1995, the founders met for the first time as Omega Phi Gamma to create a new constitution. After meeting throughout the summer, a constitution was finally finished and adopted on August 29, 1995. Almost one year after the founding fathers met for the first time, a new era began for Omega Phi Gamma with the Alpha Class rush.
Omega Phi Gamma today
Omegas after the 2008 LIVESTRONG Challenge
Today, Omega Phi Gamma is one of two East Asian-interest fraternities officially recognized by the University of Texas at Austin Greek Life and Intercultural Education (GLIE).[2] In addition, the Omegas are known for the strong bond they share within the Tri-Family between their sister sorority Sigma Phi Omega and brother fraternity Delta Epsilon Psi.
As an organization, the Omegas often partake in service within the community. The Omegas have been volunteering at local schools tutoring children, at the University United Methodist Church feeding the homeless, and most recently at Project 2009, a community service project sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin, fixing houses to be given to those less fortunate. The Omegas have also adopted a street as part of the Keep Austin Beautiful project. Since 2008, the fraternity has raised funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation as part of their philanthropy, entitled Riding to Fight Cancer Week, and subsequently participating in the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge to raise awareness for the fight against cancer. The fraternity raised $2,550 in 2008 and $2,085 in 2009, thus raising nearly $5,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the fight against cancer [2].
UNITY talent show
The brothers of Omega Phi Gamma after UNITY 2009UNITY is hosted in September of each year and has been a popular annual fraternity tradition since 1995, with the show often filling up to capacity. The show is held at a venue on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, and was held for the first time at the University of Houston in December 2008. [3][4]
Notable Members and Alumni
Government
- Jason Hale (Iota Class - Founding Chapter) - Former mayor of Madras, Oregon. [5]
Chapters
- Founding Chapter - University of Texas at Austin
- Βeta Chapter - University of Houston
Colonies
- Gamma Colony - University of Texas at San Antonio
Affiliations
- Sigma Phi Omega - Sister Sorority
- Delta Epsilon Psi - Brother Fraternity
References
- ^ 10, 2010 "Omega Phi Gamma". http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/glie/chapter_orgpage.php?id=90=June 10, 2010.
- ^ "Sorority & Fraternity Information Guide 2009–2010" (PDF). The University of Texas Office of the Dean of Students. http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/glie/downloads/GrkGde09.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- ^ "Annual fraternity-hosted talent show promotes Unity". http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2006/09/11/University/Annual.FraternityHosted.Talent.Show.Promotes.Unity-2264667.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com&/. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
- ^ "Asian fraternity hosts 13th Unity Talent Show". http://www.dailytexanonline.com/university/asian-fraternity-hosts-13th-unity-talent-show-1.955313/. Retrieved May 2, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "Madras City Council - The Mayor". http://ci.madras.or.us/city_council/councilors_hale.shtml. Retrieved May 13, 2008.
External links
Categories:- Asian American organizations
- 1995 establishments
- International student societies
- Student societies in the United States
- Local fraternities and sororities
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