OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of this fraternity is to assemble college students in a national service fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts of America; to develop leadership, to promote friendship and to provide service to humanity; and to further freedom that is our national, educational and intellectual heritage.
NATIONAL HISTORY
Alpha Phi Omega, the National Coeducational Service Fraternity, was founded on December 16, 1925 on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania by fourteen men.
Based on his experiences in World War I, founder Frank Reed Horton resolved to do his best to "help young people get the right start in life, by holding up before them a 'standard of manhood' that would withstand the test of time!" He was inspired by Herbert G. Horton (no relation), a Boy Scout Executive, to begin a college organization that continued the ideals instilled in young people by the Scout Oath and Law.
With the Cardinal Principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service as a guide, Alpha Phi Omega was initially considered to be a collegiate fraternity exclusively for former members of the Boys Scouts of America. Later, the scouting requirement was dropped.
Chapters of Alpha Phi Omega were chartered on the East Coast, South, Mid-West, and West Coast by 1928, with membership growing exponentially since then. Alpha Phi Omega went international when the first chapters were established in the Philippines in 1950.
Women were officially admitted into the Fraternity by the National Convention of 1976. To preserve the integrity of Alpha Phi Omega's history and traditions, all members are referred to as "Brothers" on the National level.
Alpha Phi Omega is now considered the largest fraternity, with over 275,000 members performing service worldwide.
TRADITIONS
Alpha Phi Omega Toast Song
"Here's
to Alpha Phi Omega, Loyal Brothers we,
True to Self and to each other, firm in loyalty
Daily working, daily striving, ever more to be,
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, our Fraternity.
Brothers clasp the hands of Brothers, strong the circle we,
Ever mindful ever serving all humanity
Now we raise our grateful voices, in our song to thee
Men of Alpha Phi Omega, may we always be."
Symbols of the Fraternity
Colors: Blue and Gold
Jewel: Diamond
Flower: Forget-Me-Not
Bird: Golden Eagle
Tree: Oak