Phi Iota Alpha

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ΦΙΑ - Phi Iota Alpha

Motto	Semper Parati Semper Juncti
Colors	Gold       Navy Blue       Red       White
Symbol	Lion
Flower	Red Carnation
Founded	December 26, 1931 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (42.7345° N -73.6692° E)
Type	Service
Scope	International  United States  Belgium  Cuba  Guatemala  Mexico  Puerto Rico  Switzerland
Headquarters	49 East 41 Street Suite 449 New York, New York, USA
Nickname	Phiota
Homepage	http://www.phiota.org

Phi Iota Alpha (ΦΙΑ), Established December 26, 1931 is the oldest Latino fraternity in existence.^[1] The brotherhood is composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional men internationally. Brothers of the organization commit themselves toward the empowerment of the Latino community by providing intensive social and cultural programs and activities geared toward the appreciation, promotion and preservation of Latin American culture. Membership is Phi Iota Alpha is open to all men regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.^[2]

The organization has roots that stem back to the late 1800's to the first Latino fraternity, and the first Latino student organization in the United States^[3]. The organization works to motivate people, develop leaders, and create new ways to unite the Latino community. Members challenge themselves to develop a strong network for the advancement of Latino people.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origins 1.2 Consolidation 1.3 Founding 1.4 Expansion 1.5 History: 1939 - 1983 1.6 History: 1984 - 2000 1.7 History: 2001 - present 2 Fraternal ideology 2.1 Beliefs 2.2 Mission 2.3 Pillars 2.4 Symbols 2.4.1 Pan-American Symbolism 2.4.2 Colors 2.4.3 Badge 2.4.4 Flag 2.4.5 Crest 3 Membership 3.1 Notable Members 3.1.1 Politics 3.1.2 Diplomacy 3.1.3 Business 3.1.4 Education 3.1.5 Media 3.1.6 Religion 4 Fraternal Dates of Celebration 5 Chapters 5.1 Colonies/Satellite Schools 5.2 Inactive Chapters 6 Affiliations 6.1 See also 7 Footnotes 8 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Origins

The roots of Phi Iota Alpha began at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (42.7345° N -73.6692° E), Troy, New York in 1898.^[4] A group of Latin American students organized the Union Hispano Americana as a cultural and intellectual secret society based on the ideology of Pan-Americanism.^[5] The immediate goals of the UHA was to provide a cultural environment for students of Latin America and Spain. The UHA was the first association of Latin American students ever founded in the United States.^[3] The UHA expanded to several colleges and universities in the United States. However, due to the secrecy imposed upon its members, not many records were kept.

The expansion and growth of the UHA was based on compromise and the ultimate need of similar organizations to unify and become more powerful. In the northeastern part of the United States, a group of Latin American students decided to organize a cultural and intellectual fraternity, as a result Pi Delta Phi fraternity was founded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1916. Shortly after its foundation, Pi Delta Phi initiated a search to expand to other colleges and universities where they became aware of the existence of other similar organizations.^[6]

[edit] Consolidation

Pi Delta Phi established communications with Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity, which had been recently founded in 1919 at the University of California, Berkeley. After some communication, these two organizations realized the existence of a non-Greek letter secret society, the Union Hispano Americana. As a result of intensive correspondence and various interviews, the three organizations merged. In their merger agreement, the three organizations adopted the name of Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity, with the distinctive emblem & constitution of Pi Delta Phi, and the goals & motto of the UHA. This new union was formalized in June 1921, in the City of New York.

Meanwhile, in the Southern United States, another similar organization was under development. In 1904, an organization with similar goals as Phi Lambda Alpha was founded under the name “Sociedad Hispano-Americana” at Louisiana State University. In 1912, this organization changed its name to Sigma Iota and became the first Latin American based fraternity in the United States.^[7] Between 1912 and 1925, Sigma Iota expanded very rapidly in the United States, South America, and Europe. As a result of this, Sigma Iota became the first international Latin American based fraternity.^[8] By 1928, Sigma Iota had lost many of its chapters and therefore sought to stabilize its operations by consolidating its chapters in the United States with a more stationary and well-rooted organization.

Phi Lambda Alpha was seeking to expand throughout the United States and to promote the ideology of Pan-Americanism. Sigma Iota Fraternity was in search of revitalizing some of its defunct chapters. Thus both organizations complemented each other and began to work towards the creation of the fraternity now know as Phi Iota Alpha.^[6]

[edit] Founding

In December of 1931 at Troy, New York, delegates from Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity and Sigma Iota Fraternity assembled with the objective of forming unified fraternity to address the needs of Latin American Students in universities in the U.S.

"Fuerza, Integridad, y Amistad." —Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Creed

On December 26, 1931, the first day of a three-day convention, Phi Iota Alpha was born as both groups agreed to the merger. ^[9] They resolved to unify under one name, one banner, one organization and one ideal. The next day of business was dedicated to preparing the details of revising the constitution, working on the creation of a shield to represent the newly formed national Latino brotherhood. On December 28^th, by the end of the three-day convention, the majority of the merger was completed. Now the last step in the merger was the ratification of some of the chapters of Sigma Iota that were not represented at the convention.

The Fraternity was incorporated as a national organization on October 28, 1936, under the laws of the State of Louisiana, under the name and title of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity.^[10]

[edit] Expansion

After unification, Phi Iota Alpha expanded nationally as well as internationally. At the international level, the Fraternity sponsored the 1932 convention in New York City with the purpose of forming the Union Latino Americana (ULA).^[11] The ULA was a Pan American governing body of Hispanic fraternities that organized Latin America into 22 zones. Each of the 21 Latin American countries constituted a zone. Phi Iota Alpha represented the 22^nd zone in the United States. The ULA, was a framework for the implementation of Pan-American ideology. All the zones were bonded by the same constitution and internal rules and regulations. By 1937, the ULA had several well-established and functional zones including:

• Phi Kappa Alpha in  Cuba
  
• Phi Sigma Alpha in  Puerto Rico
  
• Phi Tau Alpha in  Mexico
  

In September of 1939, the Phi Sigma Alpha zone decided to separate from the ULA and eventually, to form Phi Sigma Alpha Fraternity of Puerto Rico which exists to this day.^[12]

[edit] History: 1939 - 1983

The outbreak of World War II, greatly hindered the growth Phi Iota Alpha in the United States. After the war the Fraternity drafted and implemented a new expansion strategy. As a result, the post war period saw positive internal growth for the Fraternity. In the early 1950's, Phi Iota Alpha eradicated any remnant of its political agenda. With only a few chapters, the Fraternity continued to pursue it's mission.

"Semper Parati, Semper Juncti." —Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Motto

The Fraternity was again incorporated as a national organization on January 9, 1953, when the Secretary of State of New York accepted the incorporation of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity.^[13]

The 1960s proved to be very challenging years for Phi Iota Alpha. The effects of the Vietnam War and the 60’s counter-culture created an anti-institutional atmosphere amongst many college students. In addition, this drastically reduced the enrollment of Latin American students to American universities. This in turn hindered potential membership to the organization. As a result, by 1968, after many years of struggle, the only active undergraduate chapters were at LSU and at RPI. The chapter at RPI closed its doors in 1973 with the graduation of its Secretary General. The Secretary General took with him the chapter's official fraternity documents. By 1976, the last active brother from the chapter at LSU graduated, thereby marking the closing of the undergraduate chapter at LSU.

From 1977 to 1983, the Fraternity witnessed a period of inactivity at the undergraduate level. Some efforts were made to re-establish Phi Iota Alpha at the undergraduate level, but these efforts were not successful. Throughout this period, brothers continued to maintain communication, and continued to accomplish the mission of the organization. The history, ideals and goals of the Fraternity never diminished; they simply did not have active undergraduate members to cultivate them. Phi Iota Alpha continued to exist with the many Alumni members, and chapters as they continued to develop their professional lives mostly in Latin American countries and in the United States.^[6]

[edit] History: 1984 - 2000

In 1984, a group of young men at RPI, upon learning about the Latino based fraternity that once existed on their campus, re-established Phi Iota Alpha. After the re-emergence of the Fraternity, the last Secretary General instituted the members of the RPI chapter as the Alpha Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha. In the 1980's the Fraternity dedicated its efforts to rebuilding the organizational infrastructure and to expand to several universities in New York State. By 2000, Phi Iota Alpha had chartered chapters across the United States.^[6]

[edit] History: 2001 - present

Phi Iota Alpha has declared 2006-2007 its Diamond Jubilee Celebration as it readies for its 75^th Anniversary. These preparations will consist of nationwide activities and events, including the commissioning of intellectual and scholarly works, presentation of exhibits, lectures, artwork and musical expositions, the production of video presentations. The celebration will be culminated with the upcoming Demisesquicentennial Anniversary Convention on the weekend of July 27^th-29^th 2007, in the City of New York. The 75^th Anniversary Celebration was launched with a pilgrimage to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on October 13, 2006.^[14]

[edit] Fraternal ideology

[edit] Beliefs

Members of Phi Iota Alpha share a life-long commitment to Latin American culture. It involves intellectual development, cultural consciousness, personal growth, personal achievement and social awareness.

Members of Phi Iota Alpha believe that the Latin American community here in the United States and in the Latin American countries are in need of new sources of intellectual capital to identify, address and solve the difficult challenges they face. Therefore, the organization is dedicated to developing in its members an awareness of the common values and traditions of the nations of Latin America and to preparing them to become active participants in the process of advancing the social and economic conditions of all Latin Americans.

The Fraternity instills in its members a Global Latino perspective. This is an orientation that transcends the existing national boundaries that have separated Latin America. It builds on the spirit and traditions of Pan-Americanism, and supports and promotes actions leading to an eventual unification of all the countries of Latin America.^[15]

[edit] Mission

• Promotion of personal, community, and Pan-American development through the ideals of Simón Bolívar and José Martí as well as other Pan-American intellectuals and their philosophies;

• Creation of a Latin American consciousness,

• Intensification of education with a Latin American character;

• Economic and social mobilization of Latin American communities globally;

"The Unification of Latin America" —Fraternal Vision of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity[15]

• Intensification of contact between Pan-American Countries with the intention of forming a unified network of professional and economic contacts in order to ultimately achieve the unification of Latin America;

• Conservation of the integrity of the Latin American character.

• Rejection of war and violence as a means to achieving unification.^[15]

[edit] Pillars

The organization has five pillars, respected historical figures from Latin America:

don Simón Bolívar

don José de San Martín

don Bernardo O'Higgins

don Benito Juárez

don José Martí

[edit] Symbols

[edit] Pan-American Symbolism

Phi Iota Alpha chose to use Pan-American symbolism as more representative of the goals and ideals of the organization. Phi Iota Alpha utilizes motifs from the Pan-American revolutionary period and uses images and colors depicting the time of Latin American revolutionaries and thinkers to represent the organization. This is in contrast to most other Latino fraternities that traditionally echo themes from the Pre-Columbian period of Latin American history. Phi Iota Alpha's constant reference to Pan-American ideals in hymns and poems are further examples of Phi Iota Alpha's mission to imbue itself with a Pan-American cultural perspective.

[edit] Colors

The Colors of the Fraternity in Spanish Heraldry are Oro, Azur, Gules and Plata.
The Colors of the Fraternity in English Heraldry are Or, Azure, Gules and Argent.
The Colors of the Fraternity in Spanish are Oro, Azul [Marino], Rojo and Blanco.
The Colors of the Fraternity in English are Gold, Navy Blue, Red and White.                         ^[16]

[edit] Badge

The badge is the most prominent symbol of membership. The Official Badge of the Fraternity is a gold pin in the shape of a Roman fasces topped with a double-edged ax and crowned in the superior of the fasces of six stars, each star with an argent pearl at its center. The fasces are held together by two ropes in gold that tie the fasces at the top and at the bottom and in which the middle is tied in the form of an x-shaped cross. In the middle of the fasces, above the ropes lies an argent riband in which engraved to it are the Greek Letters Phi Iota Alpha. The badge dies at the bottom with a golden sphere that culminates the fasces.^[16]

[edit] Flag

The official flag consists of three bands in Or, Azure, and Gules of equal height. The Greek letters ΦΙΑ in Or are located on the Azure field at the center outlined with white. The chapter letter is carried on the Gules band sinister in argent.^[16] The flag is modeled after the flag of Simón Bolívar's Republic of Gran Colombia. The short-lived republic that consisted of present-day  Colombia,  Venezuela,  Ecuador, and  Panama.

[edit] Crest

The Fraternity Insignia, Coat of Arms or Crest, consists of a blazon composed of an Or (gold) Shield, Gules Chevron lowered a third charged with six argent Stars, three dexter, three sinister. At the fess point, under an oval azure field, the Latin American Map in Or, surrounded by a steel chain made of twenty-one links. The Greek Letters Phi Iota Alpha in azure in dexter, fess point and sinister of the chief, occupying a third part of the canton. At the base, a Phrygian Cap in gules facing dexter. The principal bordure is double in azure and argent, respectively. The shield is crowned with a frontal steel helm with nine bars and adorned with argent lambrequins falling at dexter and sinister. The crest is formed by a Roman fasces in Or, in vertical position, and a Double-edged Ax. A pair of Lions Rampant with sanguine tongues supports the shield. The riband for the motto at the Lions' feet, in argent, with azure letters: Semper Parati Semper Juncti.^[16]

[edit] Membership

Phi Iota Alpha's membership is predominantly Latino/Hispanic American in composition. Brothers come from the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. As Phi Iota Alpha expanded, the ranks of its membership grew to include a plethora of prominent and accomplished, educators, politicians, businessmen, and four former presidents of Latin American Countries.

[edit] Notable Members

"I only want Lions in my regiment" —Don José de San Martín[17]

[edit] Politics

• Eric Arturo Delvalle^[18] - Former President of  Panama
• Carlos Roberto Flores^[19] - Former President of  Honduras
• Mariano Ospina Pérez - Former President of  Colombia
• Carlos Lleras Restrepo - Former President of  Colombia
• Miguel Hernandez Agosto - Former President of the Popular Democratic Party of  Puerto Rico
• Alfonso Robelo Callejas^[20] - Founder of the Democratic Movement Party of  Nicaragua
• Emilio Bacardi - Former mayor of Santiago,  Cuba and son of Bacardi Founder Facundo Bacardi

[edit] Diplomacy

• Eduardo Vallarino Arjona - Former Ambassador to the US from  Panama
• Guillermo Chapman - Former Ambassador to the US from  Panama

[edit] Business

• Manuel J. Cutillas^[21] - Former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Bacardi Ltd.
• Manuel Gaetan^[22] - Former President Emeritus of the Bobbin Group of Miller Freeman
• Orlando A. Gutierrez^[23] - Former President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

[edit] Education

• Tomas L. Lopez-Gottardi - Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Miami School of Architecture
• José Luis Solache - President of Lynwood, California School District

[edit] Media

• Jose Sanchez^[24] - Author of From Hell to Hell
• Omar Cabrera - Sports Anchor for Univision New England, Boston.
• Jorge Avellán - Reporter and News Director for Univision Detroit, Michigan
• Adam Ramirez aka DJ Rami - Radio Personality/DJ on WMUA

[edit] Religion

• Juan Alfredo Arzube^[25] - Former Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, California

[edit] Fraternal Dates of Celebration

• April 14^th (Pan-American Day)
• October 12^th (Day of the Race)
• December 26^th (Founding Day Anniversary and Day of the illuminated Latin Americans)
• September 15^th – October 15^th (National Hispanic Heritage Month)^[16]

[edit] Chapters

Chapter	University	Chapter	University
Alpha	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Rho	Marist College
Beta	State University of New York at Stony Brook	Sigma	City University of New York
Gamma	State University of New York at New Paltz	Tau	Baylor University
Delta	State University of New York at Albany	Upsilon	University of Miami
Epsilon	State University of New York at Binghamton	Phi	Michigan State University
Zeta	Hofstra University	Chi	University of Dayton/University of Illinois at Chicago
Eta	Union College	Psi	Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
Theta	State University of New York College at Old Westbury	Omega	Reserved for Deceased Brothers
Iota	State University of New York at Oswego	Alpha Alpha	Reserved
Kappa	Syracuse University	Alpha Beta	University of Maryland, College Park
Lambda	State University of New York at Buffalo	Alpha Gamma	St. John's University (New York City)
Mu	Columbia University	Alpha Delta	State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Nu	Boston University	Alpha Epsilon	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Xi	Harvard University	Alpha Zeta	St. Thomas Aquinas College
Omicron	New York University	Alpha Eta	University of Texas at San Antonio
Pi	Rochester Institute of Technology	Alpha Theta	University of California, Santa Cruz

[edit] Colonies/Satellite Schools

Buffalo State College California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State University, Monterey Bay Northeastern University Pace University Rutgers University Siena College Texas Woman's University Texas State University

University of Alabama University of California, Los Angeles University of Houston University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Michigan University of North Texas University of Rochester University of Texas, Austin Utica College Villanova University

[edit] Inactive Chapters

Louisiana State University (1912) University of Geneva (1913) Alabama A&M University (1913) University of Guatemala (1914) University of Lejia - Belgium (1914) University of Louvian - Belgium (1914) University of Pennsylvania[26] (1915) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1916) University of California, Berkley (1919) Tulane University (1924)

Loyola University New Orleans (1927) Colorado School of Mines (1927) University of Iowa (1928) University of Florida (1928) Cornell University (1929) Tri-State College (1931) University of Detroit-Mercy (1932) Juarez Institute - Mexico (1950) Indiana Institute of Technology (1954)

[edit] Affiliations

Further information: North-American Interfraternity Conference, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

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The fraternity maintains dual membership in the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). NALFO is composed of 23 Latino Greek-letter sororities and fraternities, of which Phi Iota Alpha is the oldest member. The association promotes and fosters positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.^[27] The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience; advancement and growth of the fraternity community; and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions.^[28]

[edit] See also

Phi Sigma Alpha
Union Latino Americana

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

• Phi Iota Alpha National Website

• Alpha Chapter, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
• Beta Chapter, State University of New York at Stony Brook
• Gamma Chapter, State University of New York New Paltz
• Delta Chapter, State University of New York at Albany, Utica College
• Epsilon Chapter, State University of New York at Binghamton
• Eta Chapter, Union College, Siena College
• Theta Chapter, State University of New York at Old Westbury
• Iota Chapter, State University of New York at Oswego
• Lambda Chapter, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo State College
• Mu Chapter, Columbia University
• Nu Chapter, Boston University
• Xi Chapter, Harvard University
• Omicron Chapter, New York University
• Pi Chapter, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester
• Tau Chapter, Baylor University
• Phi Colony, Michigan State University
• Chi Colony, University of Dayton (Ohio Colony)
• Psi Chapter, Long Island University at C.W. Post
• Alpha Gamma, St. John's University, Queens College
• Alpha Zeta, St. Thomas Aquinas College
• Alpha Eta, University of Texas at San Antonio

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

Alpha Pi Sigma • Alpha Psi Lambda • Chi Upsilon Sigma • Gamma Alpha Omega • Gamma Zeta Alpha • Gamma Phi Omega • Kappa Delta Chi • Lambda Alpha Upsilon • Lambda Pi Chi • Lambda Pi Upsilon • Lambda Sigma Upsilon • Lambda Theta Alpha • Lambda Theta Phi • Lambda Theta Nu • Lambda Upsilon Lambda • Nu Alpha Kappa • Omega Delta Phi • Omega Phi Beta • Phi Iota Alpha • Sigma Iota Alpha • Sigma Lambda Beta • Sigma Lambda Gamma • Sigma Lambda Upsilon

North-American Interfraternity Conference

Acacia  • Alpha Chi Rho  • Alpha Delta Gamma  • Alpha Delta Phi  • Alpha Epsilon Pi  • Alpha Gamma Rho  • Alpha Gamma Sigma  • Alpha Kappa Lambda  • Alpha Phi Alpha  • Alpha Phi Delta  • Alpha Sigma Phi  • Alpha Tau Omega  • Beta Chi Theta  • Beta Sigma Psi  • Beta Theta Pi  • Chi Phi  • Chi Psi  • Delta Chi  • Delta Kappa Epsilon  • Delta Phi  • Delta Psi  • Delta Sigma Phi  • Delta Tau Delta  • Delta Upsilon  • FarmHouse  • Iota Phi Theta  • Kappa Alpha Order  • Kappa Alpha Psi  • Kappa Alpha Society  • Kappa Delta Phi  • Kappa Delta Rho  • Lambda Chi Alpha  • Lambda Phi Epsilon  • Lambda Sigma Upsilon  • Lambda Theta Phi  • Phi Gamma Delta  • Phi Iota Alpha  • Phi Kappa Psi  • Phi Kappa Sigma  • Phi Kappa Tau  • Phi Kappa Theta  • Phi Lambda Chi  • Phi Mu Delta  • Phi Sigma Kappa  • Phi Sigma Phi  • Pi Kappa Alpha  • Pi Kappa Phi  • Pi Lambda Phi  • Psi Upsilon  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon  • Sigma Alpha Mu  • Sigma Chi  • Sigma Lambda Beta  • Sigma Nu  • Sigma Phi Delta  • Sigma Phi Epsilon  • Sigma Phi Society  • Sigma Pi  • Sigma Tau Gamma  • Tau Delta Phi  • Tau Epsilon Phi  • Tau Kappa Epsilon  • Theta Chi  • Theta Delta Chi  • Theta Xi  • Triangle  • Zeta Beta Tau  • Zeta Psi