Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΓZΑ) was founded on December 3, 1987 at California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico is the second-oldest campus in the twenty-three-campus California State University system. It is located in Chico, California, about ninety miles north of Sacramento...

 in Chico, California

Chico, California

Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...

. It is a Latino Interest Fraternity that emphasizes Latino culture and the success of Latino males in higher education. Although Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is Latino

Hispanic and Latino Americans

Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...

 by tradition, membership in the fraternity is open to all college males and includes members from various ethnicities including Black

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

, Asian

Asian American

Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...

, Middle East

Middle East

The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...

ern, White

White American

White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...

, European

European American

A European American is a citizen or resident of the United States who has origins in any of the original peoples of Europe...

, and others. Following its founding principles, the fraternity encourages and creates programs that assist disadvantaged and low-income communities. Its goals are to promote scholarship for Latinos in higher education while instilling a sense of pride in Latino heritage.

Beginnings

In 1987, fifteen men came together to found what would later become Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Recognizing the difficulties facing Latinos in high education, the founders sought to create an organization aimed at developing leadership, instilling academic scholarship, and creating an environment of support that integrated Latino heritage. After realizing that other student organizations would not be able to provide all of these to its members, the founders decided that creating a fraternity, something that was new in Latino culture, would be the best opportunity for achieving its goals. From their first meetings, the founders decided that the principles of their new organization would be Academic Excellence, through which they could encourage and support Latino males in higher education; Community Service, with which they could give back to the communities that shaped their lives; and the Maintenance of Latino Culture through Brotherhood, by which they saw their heritage shaping their views and personal values.

Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has upheld a tradition of cultivating leaders and strengthening the Latino community for over two decades. Each chapter produces a sustainable membership that brings forth quality programs that benefit their collegiate institutions and the surrounding communities.

Founding Fathers

• Alex Calvario
• Gustavo Camacho
• Hector Curiel
• Andres Favela
• Ernesto Govea
• Michael Martinez
• Ramon Martinez
• Gerardo Munoz
• Ramon Munoz
• Octavio Pimentel
• Rick Ramirez
• Jose Silva
• Harry Vacaflor
• Ray Villar
• Don Williams

Mission Statement

"The mission of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc, a not-for-profit corporation built on the foundation of respect and brotherhood, is to establish and promote a nurturing environment at the university level and beyond, through academic excellence, community service, and the celebration of the diverse Latino Culture."

Principles

Academic Excellence - Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has a 97% graduation rate with a growing number of brothers continuing onto graduate and professional degrees. Each year brothers gain admission into and receive graduate degrees from Ivy League institutions and other highly selective universities across the United States.

Community Service - As an organization, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. not only produces graduates but community leaders as well. It believes that this is a positive avenue towards improving the educational attainment levels, especially for Latinos and people of color. It improves neighborhoods, campuses, and towns by sending leaders and influential professionals where they are needed the most. Bound by a common goal, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. comes together to serve our local communities, and it welcomes anyone with the desire and the passion to provide help to those in need.

Latino Culture - Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is deeply involved in the promotion of the rich and diverse Latino Heritage. By sharing their history and culture with each other and with the community in general, brothers gain a better understanding of themselves and raise awareness within the general public as well. Maintaining the Latino culture and acknowledging the pan-ethnic origin of the Latino community is of crucial importance to the brotherhood. For this reason, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. promotes events that reinforce and celebrate Latino culture. Its chapters participate and organize cultural events on their campuses that include Semana de la Raza, Noche de Estrellas, Noche de Cultura, posadas, bailes and many others.

National Programming

Understanding the diverse needs of the Latino community, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has developed philanthropic partnerships with three distinct organizations: the American Diabetes Association, the California State Academic Decathlon, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. In addition, each undergraduate chapter has individual mentoring and/or other service programs to support communities in their respective universities.

American Diabetes Association

Each fall, all collegiate chapters participate in a nationally sponsored Diabetes Prevention and Awareness Week. Brothers throughout the state sponsor a series of events, including healthcare workshops, screenings and nutrition classes with the purpose of increasing awareness within the community.

All chapters work closely with their local ADA office to provide awareness workshops at their local campuses, community centers, schools, churches and parent centers. Workshops inform people about Diabetes, its causes, and reasons as to why Latinos are more prone to the disease than others. Topics include nutrition, lifestyle, diet and other prevention practices.

California Academic Decathlon

Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is proud to be the first and only official Greek sponsor of the California State Academic Decathlon. By coordinating with local Academic Decathlon offices, all chapters facilitate county competitions. Brothers aid in event logistics and serve as speech and interview judges for the competition.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Each year prospective members have the opportunity to manage, develop and coordinate a state-wide Bowl-A-Thon. All proceeds are then donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation to fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Membership

Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is a family away from home, providing a support network for each of its members. United through Brotherhood, they support one another in their academic, social and work environments. The expectations and demands that come with being a brother is a trademark of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Being a part of the fraternity is a life-long commitment; Graduating from college is, by no means, the end of our members' involvement. Rather, it marks the entrance into a new phase of our brothers' hermandad, as they enter the professional world and begin to form their families. Their roles may change, but the spirit and the bond that unites them never do.

Order of the Pyramid

The Order of the Pyramid was created in 2007 to honor brothers who have shown the highest standard of leadership to the organization, Greek Community and their own community. It brings these brothers together and creates an atmosphere where they continue to share ideas and serve as role models for our organization and the community. All inductees have played key role in the organization's history and success; they exemplify the Principles that the fraternity was founded upon. More importantly, these brothers have reached the Top of the Pyramid; yet continue to provide a helping hand to other brothers. The order of the pyramid is the fraternity's highest honor and is by far the most exclusive.

Anniversary Gala

Every five years, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosts an Anniversary Gala. Brothers from all over the US come together to celebrate the rich history of the organization and its many accomplishments. Chapters and individual members are recognized for their philanthropic and professional work as well as their service to the organization. Among these accolades is the induction of five new brothers into the Order of the Pyramid.

On December 1, 2007, over a thousand brothers from 15 chapters celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Paradise Point Resort in San Diego, CA.

Chapters

Alpha Chapter: Chico State University Est. 1987

Beta Chapter: San Jose State University Est. 1989

Gamma Chapter: University of California at Berkeley Est. 1992

Delta Chapter: California State University, Northridge Est. 1993

Epsilon Chapter: Fresno State University Est. 1997

Zeta Chapter: San Diego State University Est. 1997

Eta Chapter: University of California at Los Angeles Est. 2000

Theta Chapter: University of California at Davis Est. 2000

Iota Chapter: Stanford University Est. 2000

Kappa Chapter: University of California at Santa Barbara Est. 2000

Lambda Chapter: California State University, Monterey Bay Est. 2002

Mu Chapter: California State University, Sacramento Est. 2003

Nu Chapter: University of California at San Diego Est. 2004

Xi Chapter: California State University, Los Angeles Est. 2005

Omicron Chapter: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Est. 2005

Pi Chapter: Arizona State University Est. 2008

Rho Chapter: University of Southern California Est. 2010

Sigma Chapter: California Polytechnic State University, Pomona Est. 2010

Tau Chapter: California State University, East Bay Est. 2011

Omega Chapter: Reserved

NALFO

Established in 1998, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 19 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998...

(NALFO) is an umbrella council for 21 Latino Greek Letter Organizations across the United States. The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino Fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education. As a founding member, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is proud to set a positive example for other organizations.

NALFO Awards

As a member of NALFO, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has earned the following awards:

• Fraternity of the Year
• National Philanthropic Organization of the Year
• Undergraduate Philanthropic Chapter of the Year
• Alumnus Philanthropic Chapter of the Year
• Undergraduate Chapter of the Year
• Alumnus Chapter of the Year
• Rising Professional of the Year
• Undergraduate of the Year
• National Website of the Year

Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was recognized as the National Fraternity of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)

Expansion

Since its founding, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has expanded to include chapters at schools throughout California, and most recently in Arizona. It is the only NALFO fraternity that has never had an inactive chapter due to lack of membership. Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strives to ensure the potential for growth for all of its chapters once they are established. By teaching prospective members organizational knowledge and valuable skill sets to run a successful chapter, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. sets a foundation that promotes the success of its chapters within the university and surrounding communities.

Requirements

To begin the membership education process of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc, every prospective member must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a full time undergraduate or graduate student at a four-year college or university
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

External links

• Gamma Zeta Alpha The Official Website of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc.