Welcome
Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity Incorporated was founded in 1990 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Gamma is a Greek social and service fraternity.
Our Principles
Brotherhood
Scholarship
Service
Chapters
Gamma has twenty-six chapters nationwide. Chapters locations include Louisiana State University, Southern University, Grambling State University, Edward Waters College, Kent State University, and many others.
Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity History
In the fall semester of 1989 in Hatcher Hall, on the Baton Rouge campus of Louisiana State University, a strong bond grew between total strangers. The majority of these young men being freshmen and living away from home for the first time had been thrust into the abyss of life at LSU. Nightly, the Hatcher Hall game room would be filled with young men looking for entertainment. Whether it was around the pool table, television, or sitting at the card table, a group of these men became inseparable. As the semester progressed, the bond grew stronger. At socials, sporting events, even church, the men of Hatcher were seen everywhere together. But soon the semester came to an end, and the men went on their own ways for the first extended period time.
Upon returning to school, the men reunited. Although some of them had left Hatcher, they remained the best of friends, still doing everything and going everywhere together. Noticing this unusual bond, one of these men decided to take action to ensure the continuance of this union. Their goal was to produce an avenue for the men to exercise, collectively, the overwhelming sense of commitment to serve the community and to serve as positive role models to their young neighbors, which most of them were doing already. This avenue was to unite the men and their goals and ambitions into a collective and productive role.
So, on October 22, 1990, Troy W. Howard contacted Bud Richey at the LSU Office of Greek Affairs with the question: What will it take to start a new fraternity? As expected, Bud questioned the seriousness of this acquisition, but willingly provided all the necessary documents and applications for the initial steps towards a phenomenal dream!
Troy W. Howard said, "This fraternity is to take the best aspects of all student organizations and meld them into one productive, service-based social Fraternity, excluding the negativity that has become common among other Greek-letter organizations."
An outline for the fraternity was laid out, stating:
This Fraternity is formed in order to gather young men into an organization in which membership is not based on any particular race, creed, religion, or social background, but on the values of brotherhood. More specifically, the Fraternity is to promote and enhance the education of the brothers of the Fraternity, and to induce superior educational qualities into those who surround us. This Fraternity will provide service to the Brothers of Gamma Alpha Chi and to our universities, communities, and nations to our fullest capacity, and we will practice the highest forms of brotherhood amongst ourselves, our fellow fraternities and sororities, and the general public.
On November 5, 1990, Troy W. Howard took the idea of this fraternity to Alton A. Thornton, who was overwhelmed with supportive anticipation. The two of them set a date to offer this plan to the remainder of the men of Hatcher Hall. On Thursday, November 10, 1990, in number 324 of Contempo Apartments, Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Incorporated was born. Of the nineteen men present at the original meeting, thirteen held TRUE to the DREAM! They were: TROY W. HOWARD, ALTON A. THORNTON, PAUL C. BROWN, RAYE L. DANIELS, GERROD T. DESSELLE, RONALD K. GIBSON, ANTHONY D. KEY, FOREST L. PALMER, DEDRICK G. PERKINS, ORIN D. ROSS, MARSHALL M. SMITH, WILLIE J. SMITH JR., and WILLIAM L. THORNTON. The following two months would prove to be the biggest test of their young lives. The work and dedication it took for this bond to grow into Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc. by far surpassed anything any of the brothers had ever encountered. But with the collection of hard work, sweat, tears, and a prayer from everyone, Gamma Alpha Chi excelled.
On January 31, 1991, at 9:00 pm in the Red River Room of the LSU Union, the bond between the men of Hatcher Hall was sealed forever into the ALPHA CHAPTER of Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc. After the ceremony, each man received his first Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity Sweater commemorating the Birth of a New Fraternity.
The following day, February 1, 1991, Gamma Alpha Chi made itself known to the world. Each man proudly wore the BLACK and WHITE for the world to see. The reaction of the campus community was mixed; many questions were asked and answered about the Fraternity. Later that night, a grand celebration took place at a local dance club, Vibes and Visions. The establishment was filled with those who wished us well, as well as those who were just curious. On February 20, 1991, Gamma held its first official meeting as a Fraternity at which Troy W. Howard became the first President of Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc. with Alton A. Thornton serving as Vice-President. From that point on, the Brothers met twice a week to discuss and plan the future of the Fraternity.
The future of Gamma Alpha Chi was shining brightly with the chartering of two new chapters during the first year of existence, these being at Southern University-Baton Rouge Campus and the University of New Orleans. Gamma's expansion offered possibilities for chapters at many other institutions across the countries.
During the week of November 4th to 10th, Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity celebrated its First Annual G-Week and Founders Day to showcase the accomplishments of the Fraternity. G-Week was a tremendous success, with activities that included diligent service projects for the university and community as well as social activities for the members, friends, family and public. The accomplishments that were showcased included: The adoption of Park Elementary School, major contributions of service and money to the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the Baton Rouge Food Bank, recognition as a thriving young Fraternity by the President of the United States (President Bill Clinton) as well as the National Intrafraternal Conference, and the major feat of the chartering of two new chapters at Southern University and the University of New Orleans. Also during G-Week festivities, Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc. honored its first Honorary Brother, Mike Mallet, who before this was the faculty advisor for the Alpha Chapter.
Message from the President
Dear current and future brothers,
As an organization, Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc. has sought to raise the standard for Greek life among historically black fraternities in the United States by developing the leadership of our brothers and supporting in-depth outreach to our local communities. As you have read in our history, Gamma grew from an extraordinary bond among a group of young men committed to their academic development and to improving their community. This inspirational mission has transformed and spread from the Louisiana State University campus to college campuses across the United States.
Since its inception, Gamma Alpha Chi has placed emphasis on working with low income families and developing the academic and leadership capacities of at-risk children through volunteerism and development of community programs. Over the past 20 years, the brothers of Gamma Alpha Chi have clocked more than 100,000 hours of service in their local communities. Most of these hours have been at food banks that serve people from low income communities. Additionally, chapters nationwide have formed partnerships with school districts to mentor and tutor at-risk students through the fraternity's Phi G youth organization. Phi G was developed to provide a support system for young men in the middle and high school grades, particularly in communities where access to positive male role models are less accessible.
Akin to historically Black fraternities in the PanHellenic Council, Gamma is a social and service outlet for college men in undergraduate and graduate chapters (e.g. step shows and other social events). More importantly, our membership boasts a ninety-five percent graduation rate. This percentage is much higher than the national average for African American men in the United States, and it has been a catalyst for members to move on to successful careers as scientists, politicians, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, and many other pursuits.
Sincerely,
Richard Montgomery
Beta Chapter, 1992
President and CEO
Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Incorporated
National Programs
Phi Gamma (Phi G)
Phi Gamma is an organization consisting of high school juniors and seniors that was founded in 1991 as an auxiliary of Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc.
In a sense, Phi Gamma is a high school level fraternity. Phi Gamma (Phi G) was designed to be an alternative to the negative activities that could entrap our youth and prevent them from reaching their potential. The organization is also a vehicle for its members to savor the college experience before actually enrolling in order to compel the members to pursue and complete post-secondary education.
Together with social activities, Phi Gamma also offers aid to its members in the areas of college applications, locating financial aid, schedule preparation, and tutoring.
Gamma Alpha Chi Star Club (G-Stars)
The Gamma Alpha Chi Star Club (G-Stars) is an organization comprised of young college women who, like the brothers of Gamma Alpha Chi, have a commitment to service and the values of the brotherhood.
These young women offer dedicated service to the Fraternity as a whole and the communities in which we live.
G-Stars support and enhance all the endeavors taken on by the Brothers of Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, while maintaining the characteristics of true women and scholars. Members of the G-Star Club must maintain a G.P.A. of a 2.8 or higher.
Gamma Alpha Chi National Conference
November 10-12, 2010
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
If you have not already done so, contact Richard Montgomery for registration information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
(419) 205-5374
richard.montgomery_utoledo.edu
Membership in Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc.
Over the next ten years, Gamma Alpha Chi's focus is to maintain our legacy of value for Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service, and we shall begin to expand our mission to a greater number of colleges and universities. Gamma currently has twenty-six chapters nationwide; however, our strategic plan calls for an increase in the number of chapters. We are actively evaluating potential members, as well as new chapters. If you have a burning desire to transform the world and a commitment to personal and collective development, Gamma may be for you.
Complete the online membership application
To learn more about becoming a member of Gamma Alpha Chi Fraternity, Inc., contact Richard Montgomery by email at richard.montgomery_utoledo.edu or by phone at 419.205.5374.
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