Pi Alpha Phi

Pi Alpha Phi

Overview

Pi Alpha Phi is an extraordinary Fraternity with a storied past and promising future. Pi Alpha Phi was founded in 1926 at the University of California, Berkeley. The Fraternity has been in existence longer than such organizations as McDonald's, Wonder Bread, and American Airlines. We are the first Asian American Interest Fraternity. Six visionary men created an organization based on the bonds of friendship, mutual experience, academic excellence, and Asian Awareness.

Members strive to excel in their respective fields of study. The Fraternity has given away tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship awards that recognize members for their outstanding dedication to academic excellence.

Pi Alpha Phi provides an excellent balance of academics and social life. The social calendar includes parties, road trips, exchanges with sororities, Little Sister Programs, formals, as well as other activities. Interchapter brotherhood events and exchanges with sororities provide an excellent and exciting opportunity to meet new people and to develop lasting friendships.

With our participation in community events and service activities, such as running a dragon in the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade or sponsoring events for the Jade Ribbon Campaign, members become enriched with community involvement and Asian American awareness. Our emphasis on community service has nurtured individuals dedicated to a life of involvement and a commitment to leadership.

For over seventy years, alumni of Pi Alpha Phi have pursued and established successful careers in virtually every profession and industry. Many of our alumni give back their time, money, and effort to our newer members. They also provide career guidance, as well as assistance in getting jobs and internships.

Today, the founding principles of the Fraternity are not only valued, but instilled through educational, service, and leadership opportunities. Pi Alpha Phi is proud of its role in developing tomorrow's leaders.

History of Pi Alpha Phi

Our long-established tradition of brotherhood was established in 1926 at the University of California, Berkeley. The fraternity of Pi Alpha Phi was founded by six unique individuals: D. Wing Tom, Wing Chan, Elmer Leong, Chack Chan, Tim Jang, and George Lee. Wing Chan was elected as the first President of the Fraternity. D. Wing Tom served as the Vice President and Elmer Leong as the Secretary. They wanted to establish an organization that would be based on the bonds of friendship, mutual experience, academic excellence and brotherhood. The name Pi Alpha Phi was derived from the initials of the Greek phrase meaning

"To advance through brotherly ties; the thirst for learning."

During this era, traditional Greek fraternities legally discriminated against all men of color. Since they were banned from joining a traditional Greek fraternity, the Founding Fathers wanted to ensure that Asian Awareness would always be an important part of the fraternity.

Pi Alpha Phi is the first Asian American interest fraternity. Since the founding of Pi Alpha Phi, our Fraternity has flourished with active chapters at campuses throughout the nation.

Today, the basic premise of the Fraternity remains largely unchanged. With brotherhood as our immutable asset, the lifelong bonds that we develop extend far beyond the university setting. Although the Fraternity is open to individuals of all ethnic backgrounds, it still retains its Asian American character. The basic goals of brotherhood achieved through shared experience, friendship and academic excellence remain unaltered. Although the organization evolves from generation to generation, the underlying vision and heart of the Fraternity is as solid today as it was for six young Berkeley men in 1926.

The Founding Fathers

The Founding Fathers of Pi Alpha Phi hailed primarily from the state of California. Elmer Leong, George Lee, and D. Wing Tom were from the San Francisco Bay Area. Tim Jang, Wing Chan, and his younger brother Chack Chan came from the Central Valley Region of California. All were born in America with the exception of Wing Chan, who came from China at an early age.

The men studied science and engineering, which was considered a better path to employment after graduation since discrimination prevented most Asians from entering into law, medicine or other graduate disciplines.

Their challenges grew as they found out that student lodging was often not rented to those of Asian heritage. It was especially difficult for Tim, Wing and Chack from the Central Valley for whom commuting was not an option. The problem was solved by the goodwill of a sympathetic German woman known as Mother Tusch, who also had been a victim of racism. The seeds of brotherhood were planted in the cabin she rented to Wing, Elmer and D. Wing Tom behind her house near Sather Gate.

The six men proceeded with their college careers, engaging in academic and social events, as well as athletics. Elmer Leong even joined the university track team. They found great comfort and camaraderie in their small group but felt compelled to turn their group into more than a circle of friends, more than a club, more than a social gathering. They decided to form a formal fraternity of brothers that would bind them forever; a fraternity that would break the status quo and seek recognition by the university system.

Following graduation in the early 1930's, the Founding Fathers found life difficult. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression and discrimination against those of Asian heritage for jobs was even more prevalent. Four of the six - Wing Chan, Chack Chan, D. Wing Tom and George Lee - went to southern China to find employment and new lives. Tim and Elmer decided to stay in America to continue their education and start a career despite the difficult circumstances. The four in China prospered, with Wing teaching chemistry at a university in Canton, Chack Chan working in the local aircraft industry, George Lee pursuing a medical degree; and all four found their wives and started their families

In 1937, with the advent of war in China, all returned home to America with the exception of Wing, who returned after World War II. During wartime, each of the founding fathers made contributions to their country. For example, Tim enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seebees. He served as a construction corpsman for the 132nd Naval Construction Battalion in the Pacific. Chack put his engineering skills to use as a draftsman at the famed Henry J. Kaiser naval shipyard in Richmond, California, where many of the country's great war ships were built.

All six men educated themselves, started families and followed their careers in support of a full and meaningful life. On the way, they created a brotherhood. Sadly, all but one have passed on and are survived by their families. Tim Jang, the surviving founder, currently resides in Sacramento, California.

Mission Statement

Pi Alpha Phi is Brotherhood. The Fraternity encourages mutual respect, trust and loyalty among its members. The Fraternity creates an extended family that nurtures life-long friendships through the shared bonds of tradition, common experience, and unity.

Pi Alpha Phi is committed to Academic Excellence. The Fraternity creates a studious environment and encourages each of its members to achieve his greatest academic potential. The Fraternity supports all educational endeavors and recognizes exceptional academic achievement.

Pi Alpha Phi is devoted to Philanthropy. The Fraternity is committed to its responsibility to serve others and encourages participation in activities for the betterment of the community.

Pi Alpha Phi inspires Leaders. The Fraternity provides opportunities to fulfill important duties within the organization and helps members develop leadership skills in preparation for their future careers and endeavors.

Pi Alpha Phi strives to promote Asian American Awareness. The Fraternity believes in learning Asian American culture, heritage and history. The Fraternity encourages its members to pass on this knowledge to others.

[www.pialphaphi.com]