Alpha Gamma Omega
Encyclopedia
Alpha Gamma Omega (or "AGO") is a national, Christ-Centered fraternity
. It was founded in 1927 at UCLA, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States
that has retained its Christian values. There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first president
. There are currently ten active chapters. AGO's Christian sorority counterpart is Alpha Delta Chi
and is considered the fraternity's "sister sorority."
Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we, as Christian young men of Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity, purpose that it shall be the aim of this fraternity:
However, it was later found that there was an organization in existence which had the same name. Therefore, the letter "Gamma" was chosen to be added since it is the third letter of the Greek alphabet, thus corresponding with the "C" in the Latin alphabet -- "C" being the initial of Christ. It was inserted between the Alpha and Omega to signify the oneness of Christ with God, and to remind us that He is to be kept at the center of our lives and our Fraternity.
During the pledge semester, pledges take part in activities designed to promote brotherhood among themselves. For example, in the Beta chapter at UC Berkeley, pledges usually gather for dinner with the active body on Mondays and later have a session of Bible study. A long held tradition in the Beta chapter is the "Pledge Sneak" event, in which instead of attending the Monday night dinner, the pledges sneak the president of the chapter away for the Monday. The active body try to find the president by following clues laid out by the pledges, which lead to a specific restaurant and time where the president is being held by the pledges. Other chapters have similar traditions, but with some distinctive variations.
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
. It was founded in 1927 at UCLA, making it one of the oldest national fraternities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that has retained its Christian values. There were 12 original charter members, with E. Harlan Fischer appointed as the first president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
. There are currently ten active chapters. AGO's Christian sorority counterpart is Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi
Alpha Delta Chi is a national Christian sorority founded at UCLA in 1925. Its brother fraternity is Alpha Gamma Omega.-History:Alpha Delta Chi was founded in 1925 at the University of California, Los Angeles by ten women...
and is considered the fraternity's "sister sorority."
The Preamble to the Constitution
The preamble to the fraternity's constitution is as follows:Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we, as Christian young men of Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity, purpose that it shall be the aim of this fraternity:
- To win others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ,
- To promote Christian Fellowship,
- To present Christian ideals in word and deed,
- To search reverently for the Truth,
- To uphold the traditions and ideals of the university,
- And to deepen the spiritual lives of the members.
Significance of the Letters
Alpha Omega, the first name chosen by the Fraternity, was taken from the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ where our Lord says, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending..." This name was chosen to show that we are a group which recognizes the sovereign majesty of God and His dominion and Lordship over all things.However, it was later found that there was an organization in existence which had the same name. Therefore, the letter "Gamma" was chosen to be added since it is the third letter of the Greek alphabet, thus corresponding with the "C" in the Latin alphabet -- "C" being the initial of Christ. It was inserted between the Alpha and Omega to signify the oneness of Christ with God, and to remind us that He is to be kept at the center of our lives and our Fraternity.
Fraternity-Wide Events
- Founders' Day - Celebrated on the last Saturday of February, the active and alumni members celebrate the founding of the fraternity. In 2011 the event was changed to a family picnic to encourage more participation from alumni.
- All-AGO Pismo Beach Flag Football Tournament. Every October, the Kappa chapter of AGO hosts the various chapters as they compete on the Pismo-Oceano Dunes against one another in 7 on 7 flag football for bragging rights and the trophy, followed by an evening of dinner with worship and a devotional in San Luis Obispo.
- Prayer at Noon
- Monday Night Meetings
- Annual alumni camping trip to Yosemite
- Mission trip to serve the people of the San Carlos Apache reservation in AZ
Membership Requirements
Pledges may become active members of an AGO chapter at the invitation of the current active members. To become eligible for activation, pledges must complete a pledge program, slightly unique to each chapter but governed by the National Executive Committee.During the pledge semester, pledges take part in activities designed to promote brotherhood among themselves. For example, in the Beta chapter at UC Berkeley, pledges usually gather for dinner with the active body on Mondays and later have a session of Bible study. A long held tradition in the Beta chapter is the "Pledge Sneak" event, in which instead of attending the Monday night dinner, the pledges sneak the president of the chapter away for the Monday. The active body try to find the president by following clues laid out by the pledges, which lead to a specific restaurant and time where the president is being held by the pledges. Other chapters have similar traditions, but with some distinctive variations.
List of Chapters
- Alpha - UCLA
- Beta - UC Berkeley
- Gamma - California State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
(Inactive) - Delta - California State University, Los AngelesCalifornia State University, Los AngelesCalifornia State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
(Inactive) - Epsilon - San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
- Zeta - University of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraThe University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
- Eta - California State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
- Theta - Arizona State UniversityArizona State UniversityArizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
(Inactive) - Iota - UC Davis
- Kappa - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Lambda - UC Irvine (Inactive)
- Mu - Illinois State UniversityIllinois State UniversityIllinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
(Inactive) - Nu - Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
(Inactive) - Xi - University of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Colorado at BoulderThe University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
- Omicron - University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
(Inactive) - Pi - University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
- Rho - Colorado State UniversityColorado State UniversityColorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
Famous Members of Alpha Gamma Omega
- Honorary Member - Evangelist Bill BrightBill BrightWilliam R. "Bill" Bright was an American evangelist. The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, he wrote The Four Spiritual Laws in 1952 and produced the Jesus Film in 1979.-Early life:...
, founder of Campus Crusade for ChristCampus Crusade for ChristCampus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries...
: UCLA Chapter - Percy CrawfordPercy CrawfordPercy Bartimus Crawford was an evangelist and fundamentalist leader who especially emphasized youth ministry. During the late 1950s, he saw the potential of FM radio and UHF television and built the first successful Christian broadcasting network...
, Founder of Kings College: UCLA Chapter - Sports newscaster, John Howard, CBS News: SDSU Chapter
- President of the independent record label The Militia GroupThe Militia Group-History:The Militia Group was founded in 1998 by Chad Pearson as a booking agency, booking for artists such as Slick Shoes, Craig's Brother, Dogwood, twothirtyeight, Acceptance, and Element 101. Rory Felton and Chad Pearson partnered in 2000 to turn the booking agency into a record company...
, Rory Felton: USC Chapter - Journalist / Documentarian Bobby Bailey of "Invisible ChildrenInvisible ChildrenInvisible Children: Rough Cut is a 2003 American documentary film. Its subject is the abduction and forced enlistment of children by the sectarian Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda.-Synopsis:...
": USC Chapter - Actor Beau WirickBeau WirickBeau Wirick is an American actor best known for his recurring role on the short-lived WB sitcom Raising Dad and appearances on the TV drama 7th Heaven, Arrested Development, The Office, and The Middle....
of "Raising DadRaising DadRaising Dad is an American television series that aired on the WB from September 2001 until May 2002. The series starred Bob Saget, Kat Dennings, Brie Larson, Riley Smith, Beau Wirick, and Jerry Adler.-Premise:...
" and "The MiddleThe Middle"The Middle" is a song by Jimmy Eat World. The song released as the second single of their fourth album Bleed American. It was a top five Billboard Hot 100 hit in 2002. The song was a breakthrough hit for Jimmy Eat World...
": USC Chapter - Benjamin WeirBenjamin WeirBenjamin Weir was an American hostage in Lebanon during the Iran-Contra Affair .Weir, who with his wife Carol served as missionaries in Lebanon with the Presbyterian Church for nearly 30 years, was kidnapped off the streets of Beirut in May 1984. The kidnapping was done by an Islamic...
, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)Presbyterian Church (USA)The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
1986, Missionary: UC Berkeley Chapter