The purpose of this Fraternity shall be 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.
Be a LEADER, Be a FRIEND, Be of SERVICE
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 strong men. Based on his experiences in World War I, 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, 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 Boy 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 truly 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”. Alpha Phi Omega is now considered the largest fraternity, with over 350,000 members performing service worldwide. For three-quarters of a century, APO has made a positive difference in the lives of college men and women and has helped to improve the quality of life for individuals in need. Nearly 350,000 students have been initiated into Alpha Phi Omega since our founding in 1925, and our current Membership exceeds 20,000 students at approximately 350 colleges and universities – this makes Alpha Phi Omega the largest active fraternity!
Throughout the years its brothers have continued to give countless hours of their time to their communities, colleges, and the nation in an effort to serve all mankind in need of help. Each brother gives at least 20 hours of service per semester – or 40 hours per year. That’s roughly 680,000 hours of service per year, 28,333 days, and 78 years worth of service performed in a single year – just imagine what is done in that time. And 40 hours is only the minimum – most brothers far exceed that number!
You too can be a part of this paramount of service – they say that one person can’t make a difference, but if one person does 40 hours of service a year, along with his fellow brothers, a lifespan of service can be done in a single year – now is your chance to make your difference in the world!
If you are interested in joining, please visit the Pledging Process page to learn what being a brother of Alpha Phi Omega really means…
For more information about Alpha Phi Omega on the national level, please visit www.apo.org
If you wish to find out more information about pledging our chapter or any questions email: apoiotaomega@gmail.com