About
Our History
Omega Delta Phi began with seven men and a vision in Lubbock. Eleven years later, seven more brought that vision to Austin. This is the story of the fraternity and of the Chi Chapter.
The Fraternity
Omega Delta Phi
November 25, 1987
Founded at Texas Tech
Seven students in Lubbock, led by Joe Cereceres, found Omega Delta Phi as a service fraternity for the Hispanic community. Kappa Delta Chi Sorority helps them get started, and the two still share the same four pillars.
Spring 1988
The Charter Class
The founders initiate their first class of twelve men, now known as the Charter Class. The fraternity soon opens membership to any qualified man, regardless of background.
1989 – 1991
Growing Beyond Lubbock
Beta Chapter is chartered at UTEP in 1989. In 1991 the first national conference at Texas Tech brings four chapters and a colony together to form a national organization.
1996 – 2000
Building a National Fraternity
Alumni form a Board of Directors in 1996. In 1998 Omega Delta Phi is a founding member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, and in 2000 it launches a national alumni association.
2003 – 2005
Fraternity of the Year
NALFO names Omega Delta Phi its Fraternity of the Year three years in a row.
Today
One Culture, Any Race
Headquartered in San Antonio and a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference, Omega Delta Phi has chartered more than seventy chapters. Since 2023 its national philanthropy has been the Wounded Warrior Project.
The Chapter
Chi Chapter at UT Austin
Summer 1998
Chi Chapter Is Chartered
Eleven years after the fraternity's founding, seven Men of Vision bring Omega Delta Phi to The University of Texas at Austin. The chapter is chartered on June 26, 1998.
2000s
Young Knights
The chapter starts Young Knights, a mentorship program for middle school boys near campus — many from low-income families — with lessons on leadership and the road to college. Brothers have run it for more than two decades, with partners like Kealing Middle School and the Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy.
2011
Service at Scale
Chi raises money for CASA of Travis County, the national philanthropy at the time, and begins earning the President's Volunteer Service Award year after year for more than 2,000 community service hours.
2013
Fifteen Years in Austin
Brothers and alumni celebrate the chapter's fifteenth anniversary.
2018
Twenty Years and the Pillar Award
Chi marks two decades on campus and wins the Pillar Award of Leadership, the first Greek-lettered organization to receive the campus honor.
Men of Vision
Our Founders
National Founders
Texas Tech · 1987
- Joe Cereceres
- Eugene Dominguez
- Elliott Bazan
- Christopher Dwight Forbes
- Arturo Barraza
- Juan Barraza
- Tommy Hurtado
Chi Chapter Founders
UT Austin · 1998
- Adrian Alvarez
- Francisco Garza
- Juan Arreola
- Robert Femat
- Antonio Rios
- Pedro Salazar
- Eloy Vela
Traditions
What We Carry Forward
- Motto
- Crescit Eundo
- “It grows as it goes”
- Philosophy
- One Culture, Any Race
- Colors
- Scarlet, Silver & Black
- Symbol
- The Silver Knight
- Flower
- The Silver Rose
- Pillars
- Unity · Honesty · Integrity · Leadership
Every spring, Chi celebrates Founders Week with events across campus — over the years, a comedy night gift-card drive, a kickball tournament, and outreach on the Main Mall, all raising support for the chapter's philanthropy.