California’s
Current History
In the Fall of 1999 there were five men
who heard the calling of Fuerza, Integridad,
y Amistad. These five individuals initially
researched other Greek organizations for
a few months and finally decided that Phi
Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc., offered far
more of what they were looking for than
the other Greek organizations. These men
were looking for history, professionalism,
the goal of uniting of our community, the
want for empowerment of our Latino culture,
and the Great Pride of Brotherhood. As the
oldest existing Latino fraternity and with
both a solid professional image and a strong
record of community involvement, Phi Iota
Alpha offered the complete package. After
the selection of the fraternity, the stage
was then set for communication with the
organization. Talks
began with the National Secretary General
of Phi Iota Alpha. Through links with
the alumni in the area, the foundation
was being set for the re-introduction
of Phi Iota Alpha into Southern California.
Luis "Galan" Mendoza from Harvard
and Ernesto "El Guason" Martinez
from Syracuse University further informed
these interested men on the fraternity’s
rich history and culture.
The
spring of 2000 would prove to be the most
arduous semester of these five individual’s
lives. After months of enduring the rites
and rituals of Phi Iota Alpha, glory had
bestowed itself on these individuals.
Out of the five that entered the Lion’s
Den, only four saw the light and entered
the distinguished realm of Phi Iota Alpha.
Destinado Manifestado was the name that
these individuals chose to represent their
endeavor. “The divine right to expand
to the western region of the United States”,
these individuals gave justice to the
original notion of Manifest Destiny.
The
following semester was instrumental in
the development of re-establishing a chapter
in California. Recognition by Cal State
Dominguez Hills was achieved within the
first thirty days of the Fall semester.
Today
Phi Iota Alpha has expanded into various
regions adding brothers from different
California Universities including CSU
Long Beach, CSU Fullerton, UCLA and UC
Santa Cruz. The establishment of brothers
at UC Santa Cruz and their recognition
as a Colony reinforced the fact that Phi
Iota Alpha will continue to grow and regain
it’s once established fraternity
dominance in the western part of the United
States.
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