Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. (ΩΔΦ), also known as ODPhi is a multicultural fraternity that was founded on November 25, 1987, at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The Fraternity has established itself on over 70 campuses and is predominantly centered in Texas and the Southwest. Although founded mainly by Latinos, the fraternity has traditionally always been open to men of different backgrounds.
Founded by the "Seven Men of Vision", these men wanted to create an organization to help students graduate and to serve local communities through community service. This initial organization became Omega Delta Phi Fraternity. Over the years, Omega Delta Phi was named Fraternity of the Year for 2003, 2004, and 2005 by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).[1] Although one of the Greek organizations that founded NALFO, Omega Delta Phi withdrew their membership in December 2008.[2]
History
Founding
Omega Delta Phi was founded by the following seven individuals in the fall of 1987 at Texas Tech University:[3]
Joe Cereceres
Eugene Dominguez
Arturo Barraza
Juan Barraza
Tommy Hurtado
Dwight Christopher Forbes
Elliot Bazan
Omega Delta Phi was the brainchild of founder Joe Cereceres. Cereceres, seeing how a male organization with a similar fraternal structure could be beneficial, began searching for others who would share in his vision. He found six men and they began to have weekly meetings. These meetings consisted of informal discussions about what they were going to do as a group. At the time not everyone was on board with starting a fraternal organization because of the negative stigma that surrounded fraternities. However, after many lengthy meetings, the group decided that they could change that stigma through positive actions such as a focus on graduation and service.
On November 25, 1987,[4] the group was officially recognized as a fraternity and granted charter status from Texas Tech University. In 1988, Omega Delta Phi initiated its first class with twelve members that would later be known as the Charter Class.
Early History
Much of Omega Delta Phi's early history dealt with finding an identity. It was at this time that many of the first traditions of the fraternity were born. Its crest, sacraments, and motifs were adopted during this time. It was also at this time that the practice of consuming any alcohol while wearing Omega Delta Phi paraphernalia was forbidden.
An identity issue that arose was whether or not the organization would identify itself as a social or service organization. In the end, the organization identified itself as a "service/social" organization. During this early history, word has spread about Omega Delta Phi to Jaime Mendez. Mendez started a chapter of Omega Delta Phi at the University of Texas at El Paso. The chapter was founded without the consent of the original Texas Tech chapter. After some minor controversy, the chapters reconciled their differences and set up an expansion strategy that spread across the country.[5]
Modern History
By the early 1990s, Omega Delta Phi chapters were established in Texas A&M University System, University of Texas System, New Mexico and Arizona systems. Later, the fraternity founded chapters in cities such as the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area, Houston, and Seattle. It established a short-lived international colony in Mexico City, Mexico.[6][7] In 2000, Omega Delta Phi founded an alumni association to provide a support group for its alumni base.[8] The fraternity now has several alumni chapters throughout the United States. The organization now has chapters, colonies, and clubs on both the west and east coasts and is still expanding to many universities and colleges in the United States.
Symbols
The primary colors of Omega Delta Phi are scarlet and silver, with black as a supporting color. Its flower is the Silver Rose. Its motto is ''Crescit Eundo'' or "It grows as it goes". The fraternity's slogan is "One Culture, Any Race".
On December 6, 2022, Omega Delta Phi announced a new philanthropic partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project that is set to begin in January 2023.[9] The philanthropy was chosen primarily due to the large number of veterans and servicemen within the fraternity.
Previous Philanthropies
In 2009, Omega Delta Phi became the second Greek letter lrganization to officially partner with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).[10] Omega Delta Phi provide CASA with manpower at local CASA events and raised funds for CASA.[11][12] Before CASA, Omega Delta Phi has also partnered with Boys and Girls Club and United Way.[13] By 2020 however, all partnerships with CASA, United Way and the Boys and Girls Club have been lost.
Annual conferences
National conference
Each summer, Omega Delta Phi hosts an annual conference. Brothers participate in meetings, workshops, networking sessions as well as showcases where teams from entities compete in various competitions. The National Alumni Association and board of directos also host meetings.
National undergraduate conference
Each winter, Omega Delta Phi chapters hold a summer conference summer known as NUC. The conference focuses on meetings and workshops to prepare for the upcoming spring semesters.
Recognition
Texas Tech Room
In the summer of 2002,[14]Texas Tech University honored the fraternity by dedicating a conference room to Omega Delta Phi.[15]
NALFO Awards
Before leaving the NALFO council (Omega Delta Phi is currently a member of NIC), Omega Delta Phi received the following awards from NALFO.[16]
2006
Campus Leadership Excellence- Undergraduate: Andrew Ortiz
Undergraduate Philanthropist of the Year: Andrew Ortiz (tie)
Rising Professional Alumni: Alex Alvarez
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year: Omega Delta Phi, Xi Chapter
Alumni/Graduate Chapter of the Year: DFW Alumni Association 2005
Alumni/Graduate Chapter of the Year: Omega Delta Phi, Dallas/Ft. Worth
Philanthropic Excellence – Alumni: Omega Delta Phi DFW Alumni Association
