Alpha Kappa Lambda

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2011)

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.

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. ΑΚΛs 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. ΑΚΛ 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 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 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 ΑΚΛ." 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 Don'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

This section may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may only interest a specific audience. Please help relocate any relevant information, and remove excessive detail that may be against Wikipedia inclusion policy. (December 2011)

• Alpha Colony - University of California Berkeley
• Gamma Chapter - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Delta Chapter - University of Kansas
• Eta Chapter - Washington State University
• Kappa Chapter - Purdue University
• Lambda Chapter - Emporia State University
• Xi Chapter - Truman State University
• Sigma Colony - University of Central Missouri
• Tau Chapter - Pennsylvania State University
• Upsilon Chapter - University of Northern Colorado
• 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 Tau Chapter - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Beta Phi Chapter - Auburn University
• Beta Psi Chapter - Missouri State University
• Beta Chi Chapter - George Mason University
• Gamma Beta Chapter - University of Alabama
• Gamma Gamma Chapter - Rutgers University
• Gamma Delta Chapter - University of Montevallo
• 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
• Gamma Nu Chapter - Mansfield University
• Gamma Xi Chapter - Clayton State University

Notable alumni

• Richard Rock, University of Idaho, Alpha Phi Chapter, eBay Executive
• Rian Lindell, Washington State University, Eta Chapter, Current NFL player, Buffalo Bills
• Joe Coulombe, Stanford University, Beta Chapter, Founder and CEO of Trader Joe's
• Allen Drury, Stanford University, Beta Chapter, Journalist/Pulitzer Prize Winner
• John Laurence Seymour, University of California Berkeley, Alpha Chapter, American Composer and Playwright

^[1]

• Steve King, Northwest Missouri State University, Alpha Zeta Chapter, U.S. Representative (2003–present)
• 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.
• Maj. Gen. Oliver Prince Smith, University of California Berkeley, Alpha Chapter, Korean War Hero
• Carl Rogers, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Epsilon Chapter, Influential American Psychologist
• Ryan Echols, Temple University, Gamma Lambda Chapter, Lamest person ever

References

External links

• Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity