Viking_Yearbook_95

January 25, 1995 Daily Vanguard Olga Kharif National Fraternity olonizes L amda Chi Alpha International Fraternity, the fourth largest in the nation, announced its colonization of PSU, choosing existing Alpha Gamma Phi as its new chapter. Alpha Gamma Phi closed and reopened as an official colony of Lambda Chi Alpha, striving to become a chapter of the national fraternity. "We are extremely pleased to be colonizing at Portland State," said Thomas Helmbock, chief executive officer of Lambda Chi Alpha. "Lambda Chi Alpha knows that Portland State is a very competitive school academically, and we have been impressed with the hard work and dedication of the Alpha Gamma Phi members to start their own fraternity," he said. The official colonization at PSU took place January 10-17, 1995. Staff members from the fraternity's headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, came to the campus to start the colony. Alpha Gamma asked Lambda Chi Alpha to consider PSU as a colonization site. Lambda Chi Alpha looked at the grades and activities of Alpha Gamma Phi. "They really had been contacting us for the last eight months or longer to see if we'd be interested," said Andy Olenik, regional leadership director. A person from national headquarters of the fraternity visited Alpha Gamma Phi and recommended them. Olenik said the most important reason for joining the fraternity now is that the members will have an opportunity to shape the chapter for the future. Usually, the colonization period takes 18-24 months to complete, but Olenik said that for PSU it might take only one year. "These guys have a pretty good start on these standards," he said. On Sunday the new colony had its first Associate Membership Ceremony, which takes potential members and brings them into a high status. After this ceremony, associate members have six weeks to learn more about the fraternity before they go through the initiation ceremony and become full members, said John Hall, president of the colony. The colony now has 14 associate members and expects another 11 in two weeks. Since colonization. Alpha Gamma Phi has ceased its existence, and some of the members of the fraternity will enter membership of the new colony. "We don't have a house yet. It'll probably be one year down the road," Hall said. Now the colony strives to achieve the requirements which would make the colonization complete. Requirements include having 40 members within one year, GPA higher than in other fraternities and engaging members in activities on campus. The colony feels that its members will benefit by acquiring leadership skills and doing better in scholastic achievements. Hall said. Its members play football together and engage in many other activities. ■99