Alpha Gamma Omega
This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (March 2016) |
Alpha Gamma Omega | |
---|---|
ΑΓΩ | |
Founded | February 25, 1927 University of California, Los Angeles |
Type | Social |
Affiliation | Independent |
Status | Active |
Emphasis | Christian |
Scope | National |
Motto | "Fraternity for Eternity" Verse: 2 Timothy 2:15 |
Colors | Blue and Gold |
Flower | Easter Lily |
Mascot | Medieval Knight |
Chapters | 10 (active) |
Members | 1,000+[1] active |
Headquarters | 968 S. Coastal Highway, #1927 Laguna Beach, California 92651 United States |
Website | ago |
Alpha Gamma Omega (ΑΓΩ, or AGO) is an American Christian fraternity. It was founded in 1927 at University of California, Los Angeles and now has chapters at universities in California, Colorado, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.[2]
History
[edit]Alpha Gamma Omega was founded in 1927 at University of California, Los Angeles as a Christ-centered fraternity.[3]
The preamble to the fraternity's constitution is as follows:
Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we, as Christian young men of Alpha Gamma Omega Fraternity, purpose that it shall be the aim of this fraternity to win others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, to promote Christian fellowship, to present Christian ideals in word and deed, to search reverently for the truth, to uphold the traditions and ideals of the university, and to deepen the spiritual lives of the members.[4]
Alpha Gamma Omega has chartered chapters across the United States.[3] It maintains a close relationship with its Christian sorority counterpart, Alpha Delta Chi, considered the fraternity's "sister sorority."[5][6] Its headquarters is located in Laguna Beach, California.[3]
Symbols
[edit]Alpha and Omega represent the sovereign majesty of God and His dominion and lordship over all things. These letters come from the book of Revelation, where Jesus Christ says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." The letter Gamma, the third letter in the Greek alphabet, represents Christ, which itself begins with "C", the third letter of the English alphabet. It is in the center to represent Christ being at the center of the fraternity and the lives of its members.[4]
In addition, the Greek letters ΑΓΩ spells the word "ago", which means "I lead, I bring, I go."[7]
The fraternity's colors are blue and gold.[6] Its flower is the Easter Lily.[6] Its mascot is the medieval knight.[7] Its motto is "Fraternity for Eternity".[8][6] The fraternity's Bible verse is II Timothy 2:15: "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline".[6][7]
Activities
[edit]- Founders' Day – Scheduled annually on the last Saturday of February, the active and alumni members come together to celebrate the founding of the fraternity.[9]
- All-AGO Pismo Beach Flag Football Tournament – Every October, the Kappa chapter hosts all chapters as they compete on the Pismo-Oceano Dunes against one another in a 7 on 7 flag football tournament.[10][6]
- Annual alumni camping trip to Yosemite National Park.[11]
Membership
[edit]Pledges may become active members of an AGO chapter at the invitation of the current active members. To become eligible for activation, pledges must complete a pledge program, unique to each chapter but governed by the National Executive Committee.
During the pledge semester, pledges take part in activities designed to promote Christ-centered brotherhood with each other and with the active and alumni members. They have opportunities to plan and participate in bible studies, meetings, and social events. During this time, pledges are required to learn the traditions of the fraternity and the university and are required to maintain a high scholastic average.
Chapters
[edit]Following is a list of Alpha Gamma Omega chapters.[2][3] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.
Notable members
[edit]- Bill Bright (Honorary), evangelist who founded Campus Crusade for Christ as a ministry for university students[6]
- Percy Crawford (Alpha), founder of The King's College[12][6]
- Harold Lindsell (Beta), founding faculty member of Fuller Theological Seminary, editor of Christianity Today[13]
- Benjamin Weir (Beta), moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Beau Wirick (Pi), actor [6]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Alpha Gamma Omega Members". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ a b "Chapters of Alpha Gamma Omega". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (April 6, 2024) "Alpha Gamma Omega". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed May 19, 2024
- ^ a b "Alpha Gamma Omega History". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Alpha Gamma Omega - CalLink". University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Alpha Gamma Omega". Davis - LocalWiki. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c "About". Alpha Gamma Omega Knights. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "About AGO". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "96th Annual Founder's Day". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Pismo Flag Football Tournament (26th Annual)". Alpha Gamma Omega. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "8th Annual Alumni Camping Trip". Alpha Gamma Omega. July 5, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Crawford, Dan D. (2010). "UCLA: "Atheism Was Rampant"". A Thirst For Souls: The Life of Evangelist Percy B. Crawford (1902–1960). Susquehanna University Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-1575911489. LCCN 2010007945.
- ^ Kucharsky, David E.; Johnson, Heather L. (March 2, 1998). "Obituary: CT Editor Emeritus Lindsell". Christianity Today. Vol. 42, no. 3. p. 67. Archived from the original on October 28, 2006.