Alpha Iota
Texas A&M Commerce

National History:  November 25th, 1987.


In the fall of 1987, seven distinct men of vision:

 
Joe Cereceres

Eugene Dominguez

Arturo Barraza

Juan Barraza

Tommy Hurtado

Chris Forbes

Elliot Bazaan ...


came together at Texas Tech University to form a brotherhood.

The purpose of this Brotherhood, a Service/Social fraternity dedicated to the needs and concerns of the community, is and shall be to promote and maintain the traditional values of Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership. This Brotherhood was founded in order to provide, to ANY man, a diverse fraternal experience which coincides with a higher education.

Since founding in 1987, Omega Delta Phi has been an organization perpetually dedicated to the idea of constant growth and improvement. We must work to form an organization which not only challenges the traditional perception of fraternities, but also deals with the issues of culture and race in a completely new perspective. Thinking out of the box is no longer an acceptable plateau; the box must now be removed completely.



 

Chapter History: June 22nd, 1999.


The Alpha Iota chapter recently celebrated it's 10th year of existence at Texas A&M University - Commerce. Our chapter Founders were Men of Vision who decided to explore the idea of a bringing a different fraternal organization to their campus. While the existing fraternities at TAMU-Commerce each had their unique characteristics, these Men of Vision wanted more. 

Research is essential to academic success, and with this mindset, these Men of Vision set about looking at the various fraternities in and around Texas. The administration at Texas A&M University - Commerce was, and has always been very supportive of these Men of Vision. On a school sponsored trip to Texas A&M University - College Station, the Founders of the Alpha Iota chapter visited with the fraternities at A&M in hopes of deciding on a fraternity they could invite to TAMU-Commerce. Some of the fraternities simply were not up to the standards, vision, and expectations of the Founders. That all changed when they had the opportunity to meet with the Delta chapter of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Founding members were immediately impressed with the level of professionalism displayed by the Delta chapter members, and a unanimous decision was immediately reached.

In June of 1999, with the help and guidance of the Tau chapter (at The University of Texas at Arlington), the 7 Knights of Kreation helped to lay the foundation for the TAMU-Commerce Colony of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Commerce Colony applied for and recieved the chapter designation ALPHA IOTA at the 2003 Omega Delta Phi Fraternity National Conference held in Seattle, WA.

The Alpha Iota chapter has had the best guidance and mentorship along it's 10 year history through Brother Dr. Maximino Plata (First Faculty Advisor/Mentor and Honorary Brother), Brother Frank Perez (Faculty/Staff Advisor and Honorary Brother) , Brother Alexis J. Rivas (Faculty/Staff Advisor and Founding Father of the Chapter),  Mrs. Gwen Smith (Greek Advisor at TAMU-Commerce for over 25 years), and Mrs. Cathy Haynesworth (Greek Life Staff member for over 15 years).

The Alpha Iota Chapter continues to have a strong tradition of involvement and leadership at TAMU-Commerce. Whether it's serving as a Resident Assistant in one of the Residence Halls, serving on a University committee, or participating in Lion Athletics (we've had several Lion Football team members/coaches over 10 years), our members are dedicated to giving back to the University that has given them so much over the years. It is, after all, their HOME chapter.