Alpha Phi Gamma
aphig@lamar.colostate.edu
www.lamar.colostate.edu/~aphig
Although Asian-Interest Greek organizations date back to 1929, most were founded in the 1990s. In Colorado, one of the younger organizations is Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.
Nicknamed APhiG, the sorority’s mascot is the baby panda, and it was established in 1994 at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Alpha Phi Gamma has one chapter in Colorado, which was founded in 2008 by eight students at Colorado State University.
Represented in nine states, the sorority has over 600 sisters nationwide, with 27 at CSU and currently eight active in CSU’s Theta chapter.
Such small numbers promote a tight-knit sisterhood. Simrik Neupane, Theta chapter’s Recruitment and Publicity Chair, said that despite coming from a tight-knit family, she found a home away from home in APhiG.
“What I quickly discovered was that most of the relationships that you make in college are quite superficial. I wanted something deeper than that,” said Neupane. “Here, I have found people that truly understand me, my family, my heritage and my values.”
Alpha Phi Gamma promotes academic achievement, leadership, service, personal development, and Asian awareness at the university and within the community. Alpha Phi Gamma’s philanthropy is the fight against domestic violence towards woman.
Based upon these values, Alpha Phi Gamma Theta Chapter has participated in CSU’s Asian Fest, organized academic workshops and raised donations for the Food Bank as well as Crossroads Safehouse. APhiG participates annually in “Take Back the Night,” an internationally rally that raises awareness about sexual violence against women.
Saydee Xu, a sister of the sorority’s Epsilon class, said that the service aspect of the philanthropy attracted her to the group. “It caught my eye, doing things for domestic violence against women,” said Xu. She also appreciates the unity of the small percentage of Asians on campus.
But while APhiG is Asian-interest, it is not Asian-exclusive, as stated in its mission, the group strives to bring together females of different nationalities. “Bringing all the women together is what attracted me,” said Xu. “It opens a lot of doors for us.”
