History of Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega, the coed National Service Fraternity, was founded on December 16, 1925 on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania by fourteen undergraduates.
Based on his experiences in World War I, the Founder, 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 (no relation), 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 international when the first chapters were established in the Phillipines 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" on the National level.
Alpha Phi Omega is now considered the largest active fraternity, with more than 350,000 members since its founding.