10,000+
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Eternal Brotherhood
THE START
Lambda Phi Epsilon was founded on February 25, 1981 by a group of nineteen dedicated men led by principal founder Mr. Craig Ishigo. The goal of the founders was to transcend the limitations faced by traditional Asian-interest organizations on campus.
While these organizations were often split along lines of national origins, the founders sought an establishment that drew its membership equally from the different segments of the Asian American community. Their vision was that the members would eventually become the leaders of their respective ethnic communities, and thus, bridge the gaps fragmenting the Asian American community through their affiliation with a common organization.
COMING TO PURDUE
On October 18th, 2000 an organization called AIFA was established with hopes to form an Asian interest fraternity at Purdue. AIFA stood for Asian Interest Fraternity Association and was principally founded by Alex Chen and Wonhee Oh. In the Fall of 2000 the two principle founders of AIFA set out to find other Asian men on campus who shared the same dreams and aspirations as them. Not long after, 8 more members were recruited and AIFA was officially started. Sebastian Thong, Donny Theanchai, Miguel Su, David Ly, Li Liang, Alex Chen, Kuan-Ren Su, Victor Lau, Dohyung Shim, and Wonhee Oh made up the members of AIFA.
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During the semester of Fall 2000 AIFA worked hard to make a packet to present to all the chapters of Lambda Phi Epsilon. The packet is purpose was to give the brothers a chance to get to know AIFA and essentially was like their interview. AIFA sent out their packet to the respective chapters on December 6th, 2000. When the members of AIFA went on their Christmas break they all waited eagerly for an answer of whether a bid was given or not.
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Returning to Purdue, AIFA got together for one last time, for they were given a bid to pledge for Lambda Phi Epsilon. On January 19th 2001, the 10 men were no longer known as AIFA but as Purdue University Charter Pledge Class.
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Chi Chapter University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, was to be the host chapter of Purdue Charter Pledge Class. Under the guidance of Feleo Lady Jaye Tuazon Jr. 10 men worked hard for 12 weeks to learn about what Lambda Phi Epsilon truly stands for, Brotherhood. On April 22, 2001 at 10:45:39 am a new chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon was founded at Purdue University. For the 10 men of the Purdue Charter Class, a long journey had just come to an end, and another was just only beginning.
MISSION
To guide men on a lifelong discovery of authenticity and personal growth.
"To become leaders among men."
VISION
A world where Lambda men live authentic, fulfilling lives and contribute through the pursuit of their noble purpose.
CORE VALUES
Authenticity: willingness to show our true selves to the world, despite the pressures and expectations that are placed on us by society.
Courageous Leadership: acting with integrity, especially in times of adversity, in the pursuit of a more humane and just world.
Cultural Heritage: ever changing values, ideas, and experiences of a people, transcending generations.
Love: care and respect for ourselves, our brothers, and our world.
Wisdom: pursuit of understanding and its positive application towards our lives and the world.
NATIONAL HISTORY
Ethnic fraternities first developed as a result of the need to share and celebrate diversity of cultural experiences. In 1916, the first Asian fraternity was founded at Cornell as Rho Psi, which now exists as an alumni club with chapters in New York, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Hong Kong. While the concept of brotherhood and unity isn't new, our dedication and commitment towards promoting it is. A new dynasty has arrived - this is our story.
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Traditional Asian campus organizations were often split along lines of national origins. The lack of continuity among the memberships in those organizations meant that at best, student associations provided a circle of friends spanning the years of undergraduate study and at worst, a group of familiar strangers encountered during periodic social functions. The yearly turnover of most organizations'officers made it extremely difficult to pursue any extended project as each new officer core set its own agenda. A solution to this dilemma was the adoption of a fraternal social structure.
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Not satisfied with the single Asian fraternity on the campus of University of California, Los Angeles, Lambda Phi Epsilon was founded on February 25, 1981, by principal founder Mr. Craig Ishigo and a group of eighteen other dedicated men.
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Noticing that Asian fraternities and sororities at the UC campuses were recognized as only service organization due to their memberships focus on Asians and to the exclusion of other ethnic groups, the goal of the founders was to transcend this limitation. The founders hoped to set new and higher standards of excellence for all Asian-interest organizations to follow, while feeling a need to offer a fraternity that would be recognized by the IFC and the Greek system. While the original charter focused on Asian-Pacifics, people from all ethnic backgrounds were welcome to join and support the brotherhood of Lambda Phi Epsilon. Their vision was that the members would eventually become the leaders of their respective communities and bridge the gaps that divided the Asian American community through the affiliation with a common organization.