Omega Delta Phi
From OSU Wiki
The Omega Delta Phi Fraternity (also know as O D Phi) was originally a Hispanic-based student organization, but has grown and expanded to become one of the most diverse fraternities in the United States, truly being a multicultural fraternity. Established in the November 25, 1987 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, the fraternity drew seven members who desired to establish a service-social fraternity for the minority student body at Texas Tech.
The fraternity pushed itself to serve the needs and concerns of the community. The original intent of the fraternity was to provide support for students to pursue a higher education degree and to experience a fraternal lifestyle. The sacraments of combining Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership to make a difference was quickly adopted as the organization's motto and traditions. The fraternity soon began to spread to other colleges and universities, mainly in Texas and the southwest, during its first five years.
Growth continued in the early 1990s including establishing chapters in well known universities including the Texas A&M University System, University of Texas System, New Mexico and Arizona systems. During the middle to late 1990s and because of the internet, the fraternity experienced tremendous growth. Omega Delta Phi chapters began to be founded in larger cities including North Texas ( University of Texas at Arlington and Dallas and Southern Methodist University chapters) Houston and Seattle, Washington. The fraternity established a short-lived chapter in Mexico City. The organization's strengths, including adopting a pro multicultural support base and pushing academic success among its members, has helped continued its growth in the 2000s.
Omega Delta Phi founded an alumni association to provide a support group for its alumni base in 2000 and now has several alumni chapters throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Over the past decade, chapters across the nation have honored and amplified the image of Omega Delta Phi and of their respective universities by making many contributions to the community and to the uplifting humanity. The organization continues to grow beyond the southwest and midwest and now has clubs and colonies in both the west and east coasts. It's success has grown to include being named Fraternity of the Year for 2003, 2004, and 2005 by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.
Alpha Theta Chapter
The interest started with two gentlemen by the names of Leo Ruiz and Victor Perfecto. They both worked at the Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez during the school year of 1998-1999 and saw how many Latino’s did not have a family away from home or someone to ask questions to in confidence. Another concern shared by both men was having more Latino’s stay in school, getting involved and being supported. They began looking for an organization that would have deep beliefs and stand for what they believed in.
While looking and searching for information on organizations, they met Leonardo Gonzalez and Timothy Barajas on Sunday June 6, 1999. Both men worked at Boeing and are part of Omega Delta Phi Chapters. After discussing and asking many questions about what Omega Delta Phi stood for and what it had to offer the gentlemen and community of Corvallis. Leo and Victor were still not sure of starting a fraternity, because of what they had seen other fraternities do and stand for. However after hearing Leo G. and Tim out, they decided that Omega Delta Phi was not like the other fraternities they had known.
Victor and Leo decided to inform others and planned to get Omega Delta Phi started. The first meeting took place on June 9, 1999, where Leo and Victor gave out general information on what Leo G. and Tim had told them about Omega Delta Phi. About 10 students attended this meeting and decided on an unofficial name, which was “Latinos Unidos”. During the summer of 1999 Victor and Leo kept in contact with Leo Gonzalez through e-mails in order to get all the information on starting and understanding Omega Delta Phi. Through their deep interest they did everything they could to be ready to start the vision in the fall.
A group of 12 men had the vision and dedication to bring the first Latino-based fraternity to Oregon. Also beginning the first Omega Delta Phi group to ever go through a fifteen week Founders Program. With this solid foundation anything can be accomplished.
Quick Facts
Nick Name: O D Phi
Founding Date: November 25, 1987
Founding Place: Texas Tech University, Lubbock Texas
Mascot: Knight
Colors: Scarlet Silver
Supporting Color: Black
National Motto: Cresit Eundo – “It Grows as it Goes”
Ideal: One Culture and Race
Sacraments: Unity, Honest, Integrity, and Leadership
Goals:
- To graduate our brothers
- To serve the community and promote higher education
- To excel academically, athletically and socially
One Culture Any Race
"Race is a limiting concept that forces people of a nationality and/or color in preconceived roles and expectations. However, any man will tell you that people of the same nationality can be as different as day and night in their beliefs and ideals. A culture, however, is defined by a shared ideals, traditions, and values. The Men of Omega Delta Phi is founded on the concept that in order to truly grow as an individual, one must experience view which can challenge preconceived perceptions to foster growth and enlightenment.
'One Culture any Race'. This is a completely new way of looking at ourselves and the world we live in.
'One Culture any Race'. A challenge to the closed minded to look beyond what they believe to be truth and realize the truth is largely dependent on one's perspective.
'One Culture any Race'. A philosophy that suggests the coexistence of various races can be a win-win situation if we are willing to learn from one another."
National Website OSU Chapter http://omegadeltaphi.com http://oregonstate.edu/groups/odphi
Template:National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
