Pi Alpha Phi
| Pi Alpha Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΠΑΦ | |
 |
|
| Founded | February 1, 1929 UC Berkeley |
| Type | Cultural interest |
| Emphasis | Asian American |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "A Tradition of Excellence Since 1926" |
| Colors | Blue and Gold |
| Symbol | Brotherhood Links |
| Philanthropy | Jade Ribbon Campaign |
| Chapters | 15 Active Chapters, 6 Colonies |
| Nickname | PAPhi, Pineapples |
| Headquarters |
Berkeley, California United States |
| Homepage | http://www.pialphaphi.com |
Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. (ΠΑΦ, also Pi Alpha Phi or PAPhi) is an American university-level fraternity. It was founded in 1929 at the University of California, Berkeley and is the oldest active Asian-American Interest Fraternity in the nation. As of 2016, the fraternity has 15 active chapters, 6 colonies nationwide. Pi Alpha Phi Fraternity is a member the National APIA Panhellenic Association.
In 1928, three enterprising members of the Class of 1930 conceived the idea to form a fraternity to serve the several hundred students of Chinese descent at the University of California, Berkeley. Wing C. Chan, from the Central California town of Oroville; Dong Wing Tom, from San Francisco; and Elmer Leong from Berkeley, did much of the preliminary work towards the formation of the Fraternity. In the Fall of 1928, the three approached Tim Jang, a freshman starting his first year at the university to join.
On February 1, 1929, the six Founding Fathers signed the fraternity's Constitution in both Chinese and English and officially established Pi Alpha Phi at the University of California, Berkeley. The Six Founders were: D. Wing Tom, Wing Chan, Elmer Leong, Chack Chan, Tim Jang, and George Lee.
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.
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Wikipedia