National History
Lambda Phi Epsilon was founded at UCLA on February 25, 1981, by the principal founder Craig Ishigo and a group of eighteen other dedicated men on the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles. The goal of the founders was to transcend the limitations to which traditional Asian American organizations were subject. While traditional Asian Campus organizations were often split along lines of national origins, the founders sought an organization 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 communities and bridge the gaps fragmenting the Asian American community through their affiliation with a common organization.
The greatest hurdle in reaching this goal, however, was the lack of continuity among the memberships inherent in traditional Asian campus organizations. 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 turn-over of most organizations' officers made it extremely difficult to pursue any extended project as each new officer core set its own agenda. The founders' solution to this dilemma was the adoption of a fraternal social structure. By forming Lambda Phi Epsilon as a new Asian American fraternity, the founders hoped to set new standards of excellence for Asian social organizations. The founders not only formed strong bonds of brotherhood with each other during their undergraduate experience, they also made commitments to the organization as alumni even after graduation.
By 1990, six chapters had formed at the University of California at: Los Angeles, Davis, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, Irvine, and the University of Texas at Austin. As most of these chapters were founded in the late eighties, it became evident to the brothers of Lambda Phi Epsilon, that rapid expansion loomed near.
In order to facilitate this process of rapid expansion and to seek standardization throughout the nation, these six chapters came together on Memorial Day, 1990, to form what is known as Lambda Phi Epsilon National Fraternity. The first order of business was to designate Memorial Day weekend as the official date for the annual convention of Lambda Phi Epsilon National. At this time, Mr. Robert Mimaki, a Beta Chapter Brother, was elected as the first National President.
Over the years, Lambda Phi Epsilon National has grown tremendously. Between the years 1990 and 1995, Lambda Phi Epsilon increased in size to over twenty chapters. Lambda Phi Epsilon became, and to this day continues to be, the first and only Nationally recognized Asian-American interest fraternity in the United States.
In 1995 Lambda Phi Epsilon also became a California non-profit corporation. It further divided into two divisions, Alumni and Active, each with its own officer CORPS, policies and procedures. This was done to better serve the fraternity as a whole.
In the Active division, numerous programs were developed to address the needs of the collegiate brotherhood throughout the nation and abroad. The National Service Program adopted several national philanthropies. The most notable is the Asian American Bone Marrow Donor Program. To date, no other organization in the United States has enlisted more registrants to the Asian bone marrow donor library than Lambda Phi Epsilon. The National Academic Committee developed guidelines and scholarship programs to encourage academic excellence in our collegiate chapters. The National Expansion Committee developed formal procedures and a fair application process for all interest groups. The creation of the National Brotherhood Program sent national staff members to collegiate chapters to demonstrate different methods of building brotherhood and character. The National Brotherhood Program also established an Annual Brotherhood Showcase, where brothers from around the nation exemplify their understanding of brotherhood through artistic expression. Lambda Phi Epsilon accomplishments also include the establishment of Dedication and Commitment, a national newsletter, and the standardization of our pledge programs.
The alumni Division has also become a large part of Lambda Phi Epsilon National activities. Like the Active Division, the Alumni Division has its own officer CORPS and regions, including an international region in Japan. Regional Alumni Associations hold events, such as professional and community events, as well as, events which allow interaction between the active and alumni members.
Today, there are thousands of brothers in the United States and throughout the world. Lambda Phi Epsilon National Fraternity continues to strive to achieve its motto, "To Be Leaders Among Men," by providing services to assist brothers in achieving their fullest potential. Our Active Division continues to teach young men principles of leadership and strong moral character. Our Alumni Division then provides a forum in which brothers may apply these beliefs and become true leaders of their communities. Ultimately, it is the principles of Lambda Phi Epsilon that will inspire all brothers to lead their communities to a better, brighter way of life.