On December 3, 1987, the West Coast of the United States saw a new movement the beginning of Latino Fraternities. Brought together with the purpose of addressing the shortcomings that Latino Students faced in higher education, Fifteen young men came together to form a student organization far beyond their time. With a vision of Academic Excellence, Community Service, and the Maintenance of the Latino Culture through the bonds of brotherhood, these gentlemen brought an institution onto their campus that has become one of the leading Latino student organizations on the West Coast of the United States.
On December 3, 1993, at Cal State Northridge 15 young men gathered to start the First Latino Fraternity in Southern California and the First Latino Fraternity at CSUN. For 15 years and counting the Delta Chapter has participated in many community service events such as College Making it Happen, The Annual Turkey Drive, the Aids Walk in conjunction with our Southern Region I.
Since 1987 at Chico State University we have expanded our organization across the Nation to include 16 chapters into our family. We would also like to take the time to welcome our newest addition to the family, the PI Chapter at Arizona State University.
The following are the Principles which this Fraternity was founded upon.
The importance of our academic success is one of our prime motivating factors. Our graduation rate is higher when compared to the total graduation rate of Latinos and we continue to pride ourselves with maintaining our academic standards. With a membership of over 1,300 college educated brothers from some of the most prestigious schools on the West Coast, we are committed to ensure that our brothers not only graduate, but that they take their successful habits into the workplace. Today, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has produced many leading professionals and scholars who are working and studying the main industries that compose the National economy such as: education, business, politics, law, medicine, information technology, construction, architecture and microelectronics.
As an organization, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity not only produces graduates but also community leaders. We believe that this is a positive avenue towards improving the educational attainment levels, especially for Latinos and people of color. We improve our blocks, our neighborhoods, and our communities by sending leaders and influential professionals where they are needed the most. Bound by a common goal, our fraternity comes together to serve our local communities, and we welcome anyone with the desire and the passion to provide help to those in need.
Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. dedicates its endeavors in the promotion of the rich and diverse Latino Heritage. By sharing our history and our culture with each other and with the community in general, we feel that we gain a better understanding of ourselves as well as to raise awareness within the general public. Maintaining the Latino culture and acknowledging the pan-ethnic origin of our community is of crucial importance to our brotherhood. For this reason, we make our greatest attempts to involve our organization in events that will reinforce and celebrate our founding principles. Our chapters participate and organize many of the cultural events on their campus including Semana de la Raza, Noche de Estrellas, Noche de Cultura, posadas, bailes and others.
For each of its members, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. also serves as a family away from home. There are many Latino students that feel disconnected in the university environment, especially those living far away from home. Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. feels that is much easier and beneficial to deal with the burdens and trials of college-life with the support of a familiar environment. That is why we are there for each other, regardless of our heritage, supporting one another in our academic, social and work environments.
The expectations and demands that come with being a brother of this fraternity are what distinguish Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from the rest. Being a part of our family is a life-long commitment; Graduating from college is, by no means, the end of our involvement with this fraternity. Rather, it marks the entrance into a new phase of our hermandad, as we enter the professional world and begin to start our families. Our roles may change, but our spirit and our bond never do.
