Preparing Leaders through SERVICE
The story of Alpha Phi Omega starts with one man’s dream of changing the lives of our youth throughout the world. Frank Reed Horton achieved his dream by coming together with other men from varying backgrounds bettering the world.
Alpha Phi Omega was inspired by Frank Reed Horton after serving in World War I, and later founded by men from varying backgrounds bettering the world together. They set the foundation for the growth and success for one of the nation’s largest premier service-based organizations on college campuses today.
Their purpose was to assemble college students within a national service fraternity in the fellowship of principles derived from the Scout Oath and the Law of the Boy Scouts, setting high standards for all members to follow.
Today, Alpha Phi Omega is a national, co-educational service fraternity – college students gathered together in an organization based on fraternalism and founded on the principles of the Boy Scouts of America. Its purpose is to develop leadership, promote friendship and provide service to humanity. More than 500,000 students on 375 college campuses have chosen Alpha Phi Omega, making it the nation’s largest Greek letter fraternity.
Alpha Phi Omega is forever grateful to those founding brothers who laid the foundation for the Cardinal Principles and who in turn established a means for creating more student leaders through service.
Our Past National Presidents
FRANK REED HORTON
(1925-1931)
Born in Sewickley, Penn., on July 17, 1896. Ensign on the minesweeper USS Whippoorwill during World War I. A.B. degree, Lafayette College, 1926. M.A. degree in history, Lafayette College in 1938. First National President of Alpha Phi Omega. Provided the leadership to extend the Fraternity to 18 campuses. Established the first national structure for the Fraternity. Studied law in law office; also student at Boston University Law School; L.L.B. degree, LaSalle Extension University, 1937. Taught history, government and English at Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg Colleges in Allentown, Pennsylvania for three years. Industrial accountant, Ingersoll-Rand Company. American Legion, VFW, Mason. Author of college text, Poetry Writing and Appreciation. Numerous Scouting and APO honors and awards. Passed away August 28, 1966.
DR. H. ROE BARTLE
(1931-1946)
Southerner by birth, lawyer by training, youth movement executive by desire, banker by avocation, cattleman by hobby, politician by conviction, public speaker by demand, and humanitarian by choice – all might be included in a summary of the life of H. Roe Bartle of Kansas City, Missouri. There was a magic to Bartle. He filled the room with more than his legendary girth. He swept up throngs in the power of his voice, the majesty of his language, the sparkle of his humor, the buoyancy of his spirit, and the audacity of his courage. Mr., Dr., Mayor, Honorable – all are titles used to identify H. Roe Bartle, but to the brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, he will always be “The Chief”. Passed away May 9, 1974.
1946-1950 | Alpha Rho Chapter University of Texas
1950-1954 | Alpha Gamma Chapter Purdue University
1954-1958 | Alpha Tau Chapter Butler University
1958-1962 | Rho Chapter University of North Carolina
1962-1964 | Alpha Lambda Chapter North Dakota State University
1964-1966 | Delta Kappa Chapter Emory University
1966-1968 | Zeta Theta Chapter Drexel University
1968-1970 | Gamma Alpha Chapter University of Washington
1970-1972 |Alpha Phi Chapter Washington University
1972-1974 | Zeta Phi Chapter Howard University
1974-1978 | Beta Gamma Chapter Central YMCA College
1978-1980 | Delta Nu Chapter Yale University
1980-1982 | Alpha Rho Chapter University of Texas
1982-1986 | Chi Chapter University of California
1986-1990 | Xi Omicron Chapter Tarleton State College
1990-1994 | Mu Alpha Chapter Georgetown University
1994-1998 | Alpha Rho Chapter University of Texas
1998-2002 | Gamma Lambda Chapter Clemson University
2002-2004 | Chi Mu Chapter Henry Ford Community College
2004-2006 | Lambda Omicron Chapter West Virginia University
2006-2010 | Gamma Pi Chapter University of Michigan
2010-2014 | Delta Xi Chapter Ball State University
2014-2018 | Alpha Phi Chapter Washington University
2018-2020 | Tau Omicron Chapter Indiana University
2026 | ’97, University of Cincinnati
Our Impact Stories
We’re making a difference one project at a time! Read stories from our members detailing how they are fulfilling community needs, mentoring other students, and making connections that can positively impact their careers.
What happens when the leadership lessons you learn in Alpha Phi Omega become the foundation for a global career in service?
Tulane's Lilly Thomson shares how her nonprofit, Pencils with Passion, has delivered 7,000 pounds of school supplies to students in the Dominican Republic.
Sigma Mu's William Gordon helps lead a Sickle Cell Awareness initiative encouraging blood donation at Virginia Union University.
Fort Valley State APO members pack 250 food boxes for neighbors facing hunger in Middle Georgia.
