Nu Alpha Kappa

Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc
NAK
Founded	February 26, 1988 (1988-02-26) California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Type	Social
Scope	National
Motto	Men of Mind... Men of Culture... Men of Pride...
Colors	Red      White      Bronze
Symbol	Xinako Man
Headquarters	2031 Sierra Way San Luis Obispo, California, USA
Homepage	http://www.naknet.org

Nu Alpha Kappa (ΝΑΚ), is a Latino-based fraternity which encompasses and values all cultures. Nu Alpha Kappa stands as one of the largest Latino-based fraternities on the west coast.

Often referred to as "NAK", Nu Alpha Kappa was founded on February 26, 1988 on the campus of California Polytechnic State University, with 26 established chapters across California, Nevada, and Colorado. Nu Alpha Kappa was a charter member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), but is now a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

NAK's Mission Statement is as follows: "We, NU ALPHA KAPPA, seek to unite and involve all students in a more harmonious and brotherly atmosphere through academic, social and cultural means. There is a need to interface the various backgrounds that constitute the student body of our fraternal university chapter, in order to improve relations amongst all students and the community."

History

"Xinaco", a Nahuatl word used by the Olmecs, describes an educated, amiable individual whose personality and charisma transcends and enlightens all cultures and social classes. The "Xinacos" (CHI-Na-Kos) meeting resulted in the creation of a new fraternity. The foundations of the fraternity were started by fifteen good friends at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California, of which eleven would become founding fathers of the fraternity. This marked the beginning of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, an organization based on the belief of a commitment to "Carnalismo" or brotherhood, the search for knowledge and the retention and pride of culture.

Nu Alpha Kappa was established on February 26, 1988 on the campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo by Antonio Arreola, Marin Arreola, Nicolas Arreola, Ernesto Garcia, Moises Herrera, Jesse Martinez, Hector Mendoza, Joel Romero, Alberto Salazar, Antonio Valenzuela, and Ramiro Ramos.

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 “frats” 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.

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 prospective members, 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.

NAK Alumni Softball Tournament - An annual softball tournament among the NAK Alumni Associations. This weekend tournament typically involves the local alumni associations around NAK.

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 Head 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, including Nu Alpha Kappa Chapters.

Alumni

The NAK National Alumni Association was officially enacted in 2014. It will provide support for & advise all Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity Undergraduate & Alumni members in their life-long commitment to the fraternity’s core ideals of Education, Culture & Brotherhood. The NAA will be committed to fostering interaction and strengthening the bonds of “carnalismo” amongst all members of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity. The NAA will promote civic and professional service by all members of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity. The NAA will utilize our powerful & expansive network to support & develop our local and regional alumni associations.

The purpose of the National Alumni Association shall be to encourage and provide support to Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity. The NAA will advise, serve, inform and involve alumni of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity so as to foster interaction and brotherhood, promote civic & professional service and to create opportunities for lifelong fraternal engagement for Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity members. All members of the National Alumni Association are encouraged to carry the principles and ideals of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity into their civic and business community and to provide leadership and service to those affiliations to the best of their ability. The National Alumni Association is the governing body of and National representative for the alumni of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity including the active local & regional alumni associations and active alumni members of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity’s National Alumni Association. The NAA shall serve as chief advisor to the President of the National Fraternity.

National chapters

Nu Alpha Kappa has established chapters across universities in California, Nevada and Colorado.

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 16, 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	California State University, Fresno	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	California State University, Chico	Chico, CA	September 5, 1995
Iota	California State University, Sacramento	Sacramento, CA	July 26, 1996
Kappa	University of California, Davis	Davis, CA	November 27, 1997
Lambda	University of California, San Diego	La Jolla, 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	March 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 State Polytechnic University, Pomona	Pomona, CA	May 18, 2008
Upsilon	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Paradise, NV	May 23, 2009
Phi UNIVERSITY HAS CLOSED DOWN	National Hispanic University	San Jose, CA	November 12, 2011
Chi	California State University, San Marcos	San Marcos, CA	May 26, 2012
Psi	University of California, Irvine	Irvine, CA	August 17, 2012
Alpha Alpha	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley, CA	December 6, 2014
Alpha Beta	San Francisco State University	San Francisco, CA	December 14, 2014

See also

• List of social fraternities and sororities

External links

• Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity - National Website