Alpha Gamma Omega
Alpha Gamma Omega | |
---|---|
ΑΓΩ | |
Founded |
February 15, 1927 (89 years ago) University of California, Los Angeles |
Type | Social |
Emphasis | Christian |
Scope | National |
Motto | Fraternity for Eternity |
Colors | Gold |
Flower | Easter Lily |
Verse | 2 Timothy 2:15[1] |
Headquarters |
28000 Meadow Drive Suite 104 Evergreen, CO US |
Homepage |
ago |
Alpha Gamma Omega (ΑΓΩ, or AGO) was founded in 1927 at UCLA as a Christ-centered fraternity, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States that has retained its Christian values.[2] There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first president.[2] Alpha Gamma Omega hnow as several chapters at universities in California and Colorado.[3] AGO maintains a close relationship with its Christian sorority counterpart, Alpha Delta Chi, considered the fraternity's "sister sorority."
Constitution
The preamble to the fraternity's constitution is as follows:
Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we, as Christian young men of Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity, purpose that it shall be the aim of this fraternity to win others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, to promote Christian fellowship, to present Christian ideals in word and deed, to search reverently for the truth, to uphold the traditions and ideals of the university, and to deepen the spiritual lives of the members.[2]
Fraternity letters
Alpha and omega represent the sovereign majesty of God and His dominion and lordship over all things. These letters come from the book of Revelation, where Jesus Christ says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” The letter gamma represents Christ, who is the center and foundation of Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity.[2]
National fraternity events
- Founders' Day – Scheduled annually on the last Saturday of February, the active and alumni members come together to celebrate the founding of the fraternity.
- All-AGO Pismo Beach Flag Football Tournament – Every October, the Kappa chapter hosts all chapters as they compete on the Pismo-Oceano Dunes against one another in a 7 on 7 flag football tournament.
- Annual alumni camping trip to Yosemite – Every summer, the fraternity hosts a camping trip open to all alumni members.
Membership requirements
Pledges may become active members of an AGO chapter at the invitation of the current active members. To become eligible for activation, pledges must complete a pledge program, unique to each chapter but governed by the National Executive Committee.
During the pledge semester, pledges take part in activities designed to promote Christ-centered brotherhood with each other and with the active and alumni members. They have opportunities to plan and participate in bible studies, meetings, and social events. During this time, pledges are required to learn the traditions of the fraternity and the university, and are required to maintain a high scholastic average.
Individual chapters may have slightly differing traditions for their pledges. For example, a long held tradition in the Beta chapter at UC Berkeley is the "Pledge Sneak" event, in which instead of attending the Monday night dinner, the pledges sneak the president of the chapter away for the day. The active body try to find the president by following clues laid out by the pledges, which lead to a specific restaurant and time where the president is being held by the pledges. Other chapters have similar traditions, but with some distinctive variations.[4]
Chapters
Since its founding in 1927, Alpha Gamma Omega has chartered new chapters all over the United States.[3]
- Alpha – UCLA (founded 1927)
- Beta – UC Berkeley (founded 1938)
- Gamma – California State University, Long Beach (founded 1962)
- Delta – California State University, Los Angeles (inactive; founded 1964)
- Epsilon – San Diego State University (founded 1965)
- Zeta – University of California, Santa Barbara (founded 1987)
- Eta – California State University, Fresno (founded 1987)
- Theta – Arizona State University (inactive; founded 1989)
- Iota – UC Davis (inactive; founded 1992)
- Kappa – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (founded 1992)
- Lambda – UC Irvine (inactive; founded 1993)
- Mu – Illinois State University (inactive; founded 1994)
- Nu – Baylor University (inactive; founded 1996)
- Xi – University of Colorado at Boulder (founded 1997)
- Omicron – University of North Carolina at Charlotte (inactive; founded 1999)
- Pi – University of Southern California (founded 2001)
- Rho – Colorado State University (founded 2011)
- Sigma – University of California, Riverside (inactive; founded 2012)
- Tau – Santa Clara University (founded 2013)
Notable alumni
- Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, Honorary Member, UCLA Chapter
- Percy Crawford, founder of The King's College, UCLA Chapter[5]
- Benjamin Weir, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), UC Berkeley Chapter
- Beau Wirick, actor, USC Chapter
See also
References
- ↑ "Alpha Gamma Omega". Alpha Gamma Omega. Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Alpha Gamma Omega History". Alpha Gamma Omega. Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- 1 2 "Chapters of Alpha Gamma Omega". Alpha Gamma Omega. Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ↑ "Joining Alpha Gamma Omega". Alpha Gamma Omega. Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ↑ Crawford, Dan (August 1, 2010). A Thirst For Souls: The Life of Evangelist Percy B. Crawford (1902-1960). Susquehanna University Press. p. 66. ISBN 1575911485. Retrieved 24 February 2016.