Omega Phi Gamma (ΩΦΓ, also known as Omegas or OPhiG) is an Asian-Interest collegiate fraternity in the United States. It was established at the University of Texas at Austin in 1995 and has expanded to include eight chapters in Texas and California.

Omega Phi Gamma
ΩΦΓ
FoundedMay 21, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-05-21)
University of Texas at Austin
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAsian American
ScopeNational
Motto"Bound by Honor, Rise Above All"
Colors  Ash Grey,   Black, and   White
SymbolDragon
Chapters8
NicknameOmegas and OPhiG
Headquarters2818 Rio Grande Street
Austn, Texas 78705-3608
United States
Websitewww.omegaphigamma.com

History

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Omega Phi Gamma was founded at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 1995. It originated with the big brother program of the sorority, Sigma Phi Omega.[1][2] Its twenty founders were members of the Sigma Phi Omega big brother program and their close friends.[1][3][2] They envisioned was an organization that would "promote brotherhood, leadership and service within the Asian-American community".[4]

The founding fathers first meet on November 18, 1994.[1][3] The founding fathers were:[1]

 
Founder, Thomas Nguyen (Middle) and Alpha class, Aiki Tran (left) on CNBC's Restaurant Startup reality show
  • Alex Chang
  • Ting Chang
  • Tom Chang
  • Charlie Chang
  • Christian Fernandez
  • Michael Gong
  • Minh Ha
  • Jeff Ho
  • Nguyen Ho
  • Dave Lee
  • Matthew Lee
  • Michael Lee
  • Sung Lim
  • Hsin-Lei Liu
  • Thomas Nguyen
  • Andy Pan
  • William Reeves
  • Andrew To
  • Joseph Yu
  • Stephen Yuen

On December 2, 1994, the founders officially introduced themselves to the University of Texas at Austin campus with a step show.[1][3] In the spring of 1995, they visited already established Asian fraternities but were unimpressed with the quality of the fraternities.[1][3]

On May 21, 1985, the founders voted unanimously to start a new fraternity.[3][1][5] They named it Omega Phi Gamma.[1] The fraternity held its first rush in the fall of 1995.[3] The chapter became a member of the Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council at the university.[6]

Later, one of the fraternity's early members proposed the establishment of a brother fraternity, now the South Asian interest fraternity Delta Epsilon Psi.[1] Omega Pi Gamma, Sigma Phi Omega and Delta Epsilon Psi are called the Tri-family or Tri-fam.[1][2]

 
Omega Convention 20th Anniversary and Texas A&M Charter Class Crossing Ceremony

Symbols

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The motto of Omega Phi Gamma is "Bound by Honor, Rise Above All".[7] Its symbol is the dragon. Its colors are ash grey, black, and white.[8][9] Its nicknames are Omegas and OPhiG.[8][9]

Activities

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Omegas at Unity 2016

Each fall, the fraternity hosts the UNITY talent show, which showcases Asian American talent and features the Omegas step show.[7][10][2]

Philanthropy

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Members and alumni participate in the Livestrong bike ride

Omega Phi Gamma's annual philanthropic project is the Lance Armstrong Foundation, with members participating in the Austin LIVESTRONG Challenge.[8][11][9] In addition to this, Omega Phi Gamma members voleeteren including tutoring children at local schools,feeding the homeless at the University United Methodist Church, and repairing houses to be given to those less fortunate.[11]

In 2015, fraternity's alumni fund an endowed scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin, the Omega Phi Gamma Endowed Scholarship.[5] It is awarded to incoming freshmen who are pursuing degrees in business, engineering, geology, or natural sciences.[11]

Chapters

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Chapter Chater date Institution Location Status Reference
Founding chapter 1995 University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas Active [2][8][3][5]
Alpha Baylor University Waco, Texas Active [3][5]
Beta 2004 University of Houston Houston, Texas Active [4][3][5]
Gamma University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas Active [3][5]
Delta 2014 Texas A&M University College Station, Texas Active [12][5]
Epsilon Dallas Citywide Dallas, Texas Active
Zeta University of California, Irvine Irvine, California InActive
Eta 2024 Texas State University San Marcos, Texas Active [13][9]

Member misconduct

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In 2000, the founding chapter was placed on probation by the Universit of Texas for hazing.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Our History". Omega Phi Gamma. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e "About". Omega Phi Gamma The University of Texas at Austin. Archived from the original on 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2024-09-03 – via web.archive.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Omega Phi Gamma ΩΦΓ". Omega Phi Gamma @ UTSA. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  4. ^ a b "Omega Phi Gamma". University of Houston. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Omega Phi Gamma Endowed Scholarship | Endowments". University of Texas at Austin. September 25, 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  6. ^ "Member Organizations". Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  7. ^ a b "Home". Omega Phi Gamma. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  8. ^ a b c d "Omega Phi Gamma - Office of the Dean of Students - Sorority and Fraternity Life". University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  9. ^ a b c d "Omega Phi Gamma | Fraternity and Sorority Life". Texas State University. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  10. ^ "Unity". Omega Phi Gamma. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  11. ^ a b c "Philanthropy/Scholarship". Omega Phi Gamma. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  12. ^ "TAMU Omega Phi Gamma | Get Involved". Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  13. ^ "Organizations | Bobcat Organizations". Texas State University. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  14. ^ Jayson, Sharon (2001-07-20). "Fraternity Disciplined After Report of Hazing". Austin American-Statesman. p. 21. Retrieved 2024-09-03 – via Newspapers.com.
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