Nu Alpha Kappa
From Greekopedia | The Fraternity & Sorority Encylopedia
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| Fraternity Information | |
| Name: | Nu Alpha Kappa |
| Founding Date: | February 26th, 1988 |
| Founding Campus: | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA |
| Number Chapters: | 22 Chapters |
| Council: | NIC |
| Website: | http://www.naknet.org |
| NAME | Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. |
| LETTERS | NAK |
| NICKNAME | "NAK's", "Nakos" |
| FOUNDING DATE | February 26th, 1988 |
| FOUNDING UNIVERSITY | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA |
| TYPE | Social |
| SCOPE | National |
| COUNCIL | NIC |
| MOTTO | Men of Mind... Men of Culture... Men of Pride... |
| COLORS | Red White Bronze |
| CHAPTERS | 22 Chapters |
| HEADQUARTERS | 777 First Street, Suite 114, Gilroy, California, USA |
| WEBSITE | http://www.naknet.org |
Nu Alpha Kappa (ΝΑΚ), is a Latino-based fraternity which encompasses and values all cultures.
Often referred to as "NAK", Nu Alpha Kappa was founded on February 26, 1988 on the campus of California Polytechnic State University, with twenty-one established chapters across California, Nevada, and Colorado.
Contents |
History
Nu Alpha Kappa was formed from a meeting that took place on February 26, 1988 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Fifteen good friends gathered, of which eleven would eventually become Founding Fathers. These friends called themselves 'Nacos'-- a sometimes derisive term, but at its heart referring to those who give unselfishly and are friendly to all.
These Nacos wanted to demonstrate that they were an important part of the Cal Poly student body. They were enthusiastic about starting a club to help Latino students overcome the culture shock experienced when arriving at a predominantly Anglo university. As their excitement grew, they sought to create structure for their ideas. They decided to form a fraternal cultural organization.
Adapting the term Naco to the university fraternity system, the group officially became Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, or NAK for short. Although choosing to adopt the formalized structure of the fraternity system, NAK was and remains determined to distinguish itself from traditional fraternities by maintaining a commitment to the ideals of academic excellence, cultural knowledge, and true brotherhood.
The pressures of being the first Latino-based fraternity at Cal Poly were significant. Despite having many supporters on campus, there were also many detractors who anticipated NAK's demise. With steadfast determination, the brothers of NAK persevered.
Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity honors its traditions, which are designed to achieve three goals. These include academic excellence and academic support among the brotherhood, retention of cultures through campus and community service projects and strengthening and maintaining the bond of brotherhood.
Affiliations
Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. was a Founding Member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). In 2008 after much discussion in a National Meeting the National Board and Delegates voted to withdraw from NALFO as it was no longer meeting the needs of our brotherhood on a National or Chapter Level.
Currently Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity is a Member of the National Greek council North-American Interfraternity Conference(NIC). NIC is a confederation of 73 men's college fraternities with over 5,500 chapters on more than 800 + campuses throughout Canada and the United States. The NIC represents over 350,000 collegiate members and four and a half million alumni. Its volunteer leaders and professional staff serve fraternity leaders in university, government, and media relations. The promotion of scholarship, leadership, service, and friendship among fraternity members is the NIC's purpose.
National Events
National Leadership Development Conference (NLDC)- A leadership development weekend which invites the executive board of each chapter, alumni and the National Board to convene on new policies and strategies for the upcoming academic year. Over 200 brothers come together to learn from each other and take back knowledge to their chapters and communities for a successful year. Workshops, discussions and lectures are conducted by National Board, NAK alumni, Campus advisors and administrators. Each year a different chapter has the opportunity to host this event during the late Summer.
Pledgefest - An opportunity to bring together all potential brothers, known as NAK Little Brothers, from each chapter for a weekend of team building, leadership development and a large community service event. The experiences and memories incorporated throughout the weekend ignite the flame of brotherhood for the next generation of NAK brothers. Each year a different chapter has the opportunity to host this event during the late Fall.
NAKFest - An annual family reunion between alumni and undergraduate brothers which brings together the past with the present. A weekend event hosted by a different chapter each year which consists of the National Elections, Sports Tournament, Awards Banquet, and National Party. A one day double elimination sports tournament is held with all chapters, with the winner receiving a first round bye during the NSL tournament and year of bragging rights. A Spring time event which helps close out the academic year allowing brothers to network and continue to build upon the unseen bond of brotherhood.
NAK Sports League (NSL)- A year long brotherhood event giving chapters the opportunity to network and convene in a friendly sports competition. A different chapter serves as hosts of the first round games between two chapters outside of their region. The Semi-Finals and Championship Game are concluded at NAKFest.
National Philanthropy
The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), created in 1986, is a non-profit organization based in Minneapolis , Minnesota . Its mission is to extend and improve life through innovative stem cell therapies.
The Hispanos Dando Esperanza: Nu Alpha Kappa-Hermandad Initiative is dedicated to outreaching the Hispanic/Latino communities. This outreach to the Hispanic/Latino community demonstrates that the National Marrow Donor Program and Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. are committed to serving our cultural diversity U.S.A. This initiative promotes innovation and teamwork.
By incorporating these values, the National Marrow Donor Program and Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. aspire to set a standard of excellence nationwide that rewards our recipients, donors, volunteers, and communities.
This Hispanic/Latino Stem Cell and Marrow Initiative focus efforts throughout California Colorado and Nevada with 992 National Marrow Donor Program donor centers and 10 recruitment groups.
Alumni
As graduation approaches for many university seniors within NAK, the Alumni Association is determined to prepare each individual for life after the University experience. Throughout the academic year, Alumni Associations host informational sessions to help bridge the undergraduate and alumni experience. Open to all, yet focused on seniors, these sessions include financial planning, presentations from different professionals explaining "a day in the life of" their respective careers, the home buying process and graduate school. It is the goal of the Alumni Association to serve as vehicle for all NAK members wishing to better themselves and their families, through education and community building.
The fraternity boasts a Director of Professional Development, which assists soon-to-be alumni set long term goals and provide resources for life after college.
National Chapters
| Chapter | University | City, State | Founding Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founding | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | February 26, 1988 |
| Alpha | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | February 26, 1989 |
| Beta | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | February 10, 1990 |
| Gamma | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA | June 20, 1992 |
| Delta | California State University, Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | November 22, 1992 |
| Epsilon | Fresno State University | Fresno, CA | November 22, 1992 |
| Zeta | University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | November 22, 1992 |
| Eta | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | September 18, 1993 |
| Theta | Chico State University | Chico, CA | September 9, 1995 |
| Iota | Sacramento State University | Sacramento, CA | July 27, 1996 |
| Kappa | University of California, Davis | Davis, CA | November 30, 1997 |
| Lambda | University of California, San Diego | San Diego, CA | December 21, 1997 |
| Mu | Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | April 10, 1999 |
| Nu | University of California, Riverside | Riverside, CA | November 12, 2000 |
| Xi | California State University, Monterey Bay | Seaside, CA | February 28, 2004 |
| Omicron | University of Nevada, Reno | Reno, NV | April 17, 2004 |
| Pi | California State University, Northridge | Northridge, CA | April 2, 2005 |
| Rho | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | April 30, 2005 |
| Sigma | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | April 21, 2007 |
| Tau | California Polytechnic State University, Pomona | Pomona, CA | May 18, 2008 |
| Upsilon | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV | May 23, 2009 |
| Omega | Honoring Our Fallen Brothers | - | - |
