| Alpha Kappa Lambda (ΑΚΛ) |
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| Founded | April 22, 1914 University of California, Berkeley |
| Type | Collegiate fraternity |
| Motto | "Αλήθεια Και Λόγος-Alethia Kai Logos" ("The Truth and the Word")
"Men of Character Committed to Making a Difference" |
| Colors | Purple and Gold |
| Symbol | Coat of Arms |
| Flower | Yellow Rose |
| Factoid | First national fraternity founded on the west coast |
| Headquarters | 4735 Statesmen Drive Suite F. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Homepage | http://www.akl.org |
Alpha Kappa Lambda (ΑΚΛ) is an American collegiate social fraternity for men founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1914. Today, it operates approximately 33 active chapters and colonies and boasts twenty three thousand initiated members.
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Philosophy
Alpha Kappa Lambda's cornerstone is its "Five Ideals":
- Judeo-Christian Principles
- Leadership
- Scholarship
- Loyalty
- Self-Support
Alpha Kappa Lambda teaches men that the commitments outlined in the Fraternity's Ritual are not merely remote ideals, but areas of discipline for daily life. AKΛs support, and in turn have the support of, their brothers in living these principles. Through Alpha Kappa Lambda, men with different backgrounds but similar ideals unite with a common purpose: to foster excellence in scholarship, leadership, individual growth, and involvement in community service. AKΛ is dedicated to Men of Character, Committed to Making A Difference.
"Of particular novelty is statement that the Ideals of the Fraternity are to develop the 'social, intellectual, moral, and religious welfare of it members, (and) to foster and encourage among its members Christian principles, service, higher education, culture, and refinement'," reported The Berkeley Gazette (April 27, 1914) a few days following the formal installation of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Lambda.
The original founding fathers of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity were William Floyd Barnum, Herman "Richie" "Dickie" Bergh, Charles Junius "Charlie" Booth,"Serious Minded" Gail Cleland, Leonard Harrington Day, Alan Holmes Kimball, Harry Levi Osborn, Charles Oscar "Oscar" Perrine, Ludwig Rehfuess, Harold Alonzo "Hal" Savage, Joseph Leon "Joe" Taylor.
Fraternity Motto
The motto of the fraternity is "Alethia Kai Logos," which in Classical Greek means "The Truth and the Word". Former National President William B. Herms explains, "The motto is a symbolic statement of our Ideals. We are seekers after Truth, the highest Truth, if you please . . . And the Word, which again lends itself to interpretation." AKL's seek through both their words and deeds to advance the spirit of Alethia Kai Logos, as well as strengthen both their individual chapters and their universities by living the ideals of the Motto.
Fraternity Badge
The official badge of the fraternity is made of at least ten carat gold. An alpha and a lambda rest in the background (covered with the flowers of a dogwood, representing Christian Principles) and the Kappa is raised, set with eleven whole pearls. The badge is to be worn only on collared shirts, sweaters, or suit vests, and in the traditional position over the heart. The badge may only be worn by initiated members of the Fraternity.
The Yellow Rose
The Souvenir de Claudis Pernet, described as a tantalizing yellow rose, was adopted as the Fraternity's Official Flower at the 6th National Conclave in 1927, because "it was not expensive, and its deep golden color matched well with the colors of AKΛ." The flower was a popular rose in early 1900s. While the Souvenir de Claudis Pernet itself is no longer widely grown, it has many hybridized descendants. The rose was originally bred by a famous French rose-breeder, Joseph Pernet-Ducher, who named the rose after one of his sons who died in World War I. 
National Service Projects
These Hands Don't Hurt
Alpha Kappa Lambda realizes that sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses and believes that it can be fought through education, service, and philanthropic projects. The philanthropic fundraising aspect is the most visible of the three. The fundraising is performed via a “Promise Wall.” The Promise Wall is displayed prominently in a high traffic area of campus. Students, faculty, and members of the community are asked to add their “hand” to the Promise Wall for a contribution of $1. By placing their “hand” on the wall they make a promise that their hand will not be used to harm others. These Hands Dont't Hurt was started in AKL by the Beta Zeta chapter in 1995.
Cystic Fibrosis
The fraternity adopted cystic fibrosis as a national philanthropy at the 1990 National Conclave. Chapters support the fight against Cystic Fibrosis in many ways. Chapter fundraisers provide financial support to local organizations, research, and individuals. Chapters provide manpower to help local organizations' events. Members can have holiday or birthday parties for children suffering from CF. There are countless ways to touch the lives of CF sufferers and their families.
Adopt-A-School
The Adopt-A-School program was endorsed by the National Executive Council during their 1994 Winter meeting. The goal of the program is to provide for the formation of one-on-one relationships between local college students and local elementary students. This program provides an opportunity for college students to give something back to their host communities while devoting time and energy to be a role model for young children.
Active Chapter and Colony List
- Gamma Chapter - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Delta Colony - University of Kansas
- Eta Chapter - Washington State University
- Kappa Chapter - Purdue University
- Lambda Chapter - Emporia State University
- Xi Chapter - Truman State University
- Tau Chapter - Pennsylvania State University
- Upsilon Chapter - University of Northern Colorado
- Phi Colony - Oregon State University
- Chi Chapter - California University of Pennsylvania
- Psi Chapter - Iowa State University
- Alpha Zeta Chapter - Northwest Missouri State University
- Alpha Lambda Chapter - Northern Illinois University
- Alpha Rho Chapter - University of Texas at El Paso
- Alpha Phi Chapter - University of Idaho
- Beta Nu Chapter - Virginia Commonwealth University
- Beta Omicron Chapter - James Madison University
- Beta Tau Chapter - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Beta Phi Chapter - Auburn University
- Beta Psi Chapter - Missouri State University
- Beta Chi Colony - George Mason University
- Gamma Alpha Chapter - University of Missouri
- Gamma Beta Chapter - University of Alabama
- Gamma Gamma Chapter - Rutgers University
- Gamma Delta Chapter - University of Montevallo
- Gamma Zeta Chapter - University of Georgia
- Gamma Theta Chapter - Boise State University
- Gamma Iota Chapter - Eastern Michigan University
- Gamma Kappa Chapter - Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Gamma Lambda Chapter - Temple University
- Gamma Mu Chapter - Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
- Georgia Beta Colony - Clayton State University
- Pennsylvania Zeta Colony - Mansfield University
- South Carolina Beta Colony - Clemson University
Notable alumni
Athletics
Derrick Peterson, University of Missouri, Gamma Alpha Chapter, 2004 Olympic Athlete
Scott Paffrath, University of Missouri, Gamma Alpha Chapter, Former NFL player
Rian Lindell, Washington State University, Eta Chapter, Current NFL player, Buffalo Bills
Business
Jack Cakebread, University of California Berkeley, Alpha Chapter, Founder and CEO of Cakebread Cellars
Joe Coulombe, Stanford University, Beta Chapter, Founder and CEO of Trader Joe's
Rich Miletic, University of Illinois, Gamma Chapter, CEO of ZK Celltest
Kevin Parrish, Auburn University, Beta Phi Chapter, Founder/CEO Parrish Saddle Co.
Entertainment & Media
Dan Williams, University of Northern Colorado, Upsilon Chapter, Sports Journalist/Emmy Winner
Allen Drury, Stanford University, Beta Chapter, Journalist/Pulitzer Prize Winner
Irving Dilliard, University of Illinois, Gamma Chapter, Journalist/Pulitzer Prize Winner
John Laurence Seymour, University of California Berkeley, Alpha Chapter, American Composer and Playwright
Frayne Rosanoff, California University of Pennsylvania, Chi Chapter, Actor, Star of 'Python'
Chris Long, University of Missouri, Gamma Alpha Chapter, TV Sports Anchor WBBH-TV
Government
Gary Sherrer, Emporia State University, Lambda Chapter, Former Lt. Governor of Kansas
Steve King, Northwest Missouri State University, Alpha Zeta Chapter, Member of Congress (2003-present)
Vern Swanson, Emporia State University, Lambda Chapter, Current member of the Kansas House of Representatives
Religious
Bishop James Chamberlain Baker, Gamma Chapter, Educator, Pastor, and the organizer and head of the first Wesley Foundation in the United States, at the University of Illinois.
Rev. James G. Emerson Jr. PhD, Beta Chapter, National Volunteerism Award recipient (1971), Former Interim President of San Francisco Theological Seminary, Former Director of Community Service Society of New York, author, missionary and pastor.
Military
Maj. Gen. Oliver Prince Smith, University of California Berkeley, Alpha Chapter, Korean War Hero
Other
Carl Rogers, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Epsilon Chapter, Influential American Psychologist
External links
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