Omega Phi Gamma
Encyclopedia
Omega Phi Gamma, also known as Omegas or OPhiG, is an Asian-interest fraternity established in the Spring of 1995
at The University of Texas at Austin, with a second chapter founded at the University of Houston
in the Spring of 2004.
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.
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). 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 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. In addition, Omega Phi Gamma featured YouTube celebrities JustKiddingFilms to host its 2010 Unity Show.
at The University of Texas at Austin, with a second chapter founded at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
in the Spring of 2004.
The Founding of Omega Phi Gamma
The sisters of Sigma Phi OmegaSigma Phi Omega
Sigma Phi Omega ', also known as Sigmas, is an Asian American interest sorority.-Purpose:Sigma Phi Omega was founded at the University of Southern California in 1949, and is the oldest Asian American sorority at USC and UT Austin and third oldest in the United States...
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
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
Greek Life and Intercultural Education (GLIE). In addition, the Omegas are known for the strong bond they share within the Tri-Family between their sister sorority Sigma Phi Omega
Sigma Phi Omega
Sigma Phi Omega ', also known as Sigmas, is an Asian American interest sorority.-Purpose:Sigma Phi Omega was founded at the University of Southern California in 1949, and is the oldest Asian American sorority at USC and UT Austin and third oldest in the United States...
and brother fraternity Delta Epsilon Psi
Delta Epsilon Psi
Delta Epsilon Psi is a South Asian interest service fraternity. Delta Epsilon Psi was founded at the University of Texas, Austin in 1998 by 18 men that came together sensing the urgency of a unified South Asian voice at their university...
.
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
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, and was held for the first time at the University of Houston in December 2008. In addition, Omega Phi Gamma featured YouTube celebrities JustKiddingFilms to host its 2010 Unity Show.
Chapters
- Founding Chapter - University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
- Βeta Chapter - University of HoustonUniversity of HoustonThe University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...