Nu Alpha Kappa (ΝΑΚ) is an American collegiate Latino-based fraternity.[1] Nu Alpha Kappa was founded on the campus of California Polytechnic State University in 1988.[2] Nu Alpha Kappa was a charter member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).[3] It is now a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.[4]

Nu Alpha Kappa
ΝΑΚ
The official emblem of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc.
FoundedFebruary 26, 1988; 36 years ago (1988-02-26)
California Polytechnic State University
TypeSocial
AffiliationNIC
Former affiliationNALFO
StatusActive
EmphasisLatino
ScopeNational
Motto"Men of Mind, Men of Culture, Men of Pride"
Colors  Red,   White, and   Bronze
MascotXiNAKo
Chapters28
NicknameNAKs, Nakos, Xinakos
HeadquartersP.O. Box 1287
Roseville, California 95678
United States
Websitewww.naknet.org

History

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The fraternity began with fifteen friends at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California who wanted to create a club for Hispanic students at the predominantly Anglo campus.[5][2] Initially, the group called itself "Naco", after Spanish slang for a person who gets along well with everyone.[5] This became Nu Alpha Kappa on February 26, 1988.[4] The fraternity was established based on a commitment to "Carnalismo" or brotherhood, the search for knowledge, and the retention and pride of culture.[2]

Eleven of the original organizing friends became the fraternity's founders, including:[3]

  • Antonio Arreola
  • Marin Arreola
  • Nicolas Arreola
  • Ernesto Garcia
  • Moises Herrera
  • Jesse Martinez
  • Hector Mendoza
  • Joel Romero
  • Alberto Salazar
  • Antonio Valenzuela
  • Ramiro Ramos

Symbols

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The name ΝΑΚ was selected to represent the "nac" sound in Xinaco.[3] Xinaco (CHI-Na-Kos), a Nahuatl word used by the Olmecs, describes "an educated, amiable individual whose personality and charisma transcends and enlightens all cultures and social".[3]

The fraternity's colors are red, white, and bronze.[3][6] Its mascot is XiNAKo.[3] Its motto is "Men of Mind, Men of Culture, Men of Pride."[3][6]

National philanthropy

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Nu Alpha Kappa supports the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and its Hispanic/Latino Stem Cell and Marrow Initiative in California, Colorado, and Nevada.[5][6] Its other charity is the NAKLand Children's Carnival.[6]

Alumni Association

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The ΝΑΚ National Alumni Association was officially established in 2014.[7]

Chapters

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Collegiate chapters

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Nu Alpha Kappa has established collegiate chapters in California, Nevada, and Colorado.[1][8] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.

Chapter Founding Date Institution City, State Status References
Founding February 26, 1988 California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California Active [9]
Alpha February 16, 1989 San Jose State University San Jose, California Active
Beta February 10, 1990 San Diego State University San Diego, California Active
Gamma June 20, 1992 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California Active
Delta November 22, 1992 California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, California Active
Epsilon November 22, 1992 California State University, Fresno Fresno, California Active
Zeta November 22, 1992 – 201x ? University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California Inactive [10][a]
Eta September 18, 1993 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California Active
Theta September 5, 1995 California State University, Chico Chico, California Active
Iota July 26, 1996 California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, California Active
Kappa November 30, 1997 University of California, Davis Davis, California Active [5]
Lambda December 21, 1997 University of California, San Diego La Jolla, California Active
Mu April 10, 1999 Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Active [11]
Nu November 12, 2000 University of California, Riverside Riverside, California Active
Xi February 28, 2004 California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside, California Active
Omicron April 17, 2004 University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada Active
Pi April 2, 2005 California State University, Northridge Northridge, California Active
Rho April 30, 2005 University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, California Active
Sigma April 21, 2007 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado Active [6]
Tau May 18, 2008 – 20xx ? California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Pomona, California Inactive
Upsilon May 23, 2009 – 20xx ? University of Nevada, Las Vegas Paradise, Nevada Active
Phi November 12, 2011 – 2015 National Hispanic University San Jose, California Inactive [b]
Chi May 26, 2012 California State University, San Marcos San Marcos, California Active
Psi August 17, 2012 University of California, Irvine Irvine, California Active
Omega Memorial [12]
Alpha Alpha December 6, 2014 – 20xx ? University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California Inactive
Alpha Beta December 14, 2014 San Francisco State University San Francisco, California Active
Alpha Gamma May 6, 2017 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado Active
Alpha Delta October 20, 2018 – 202x ? University of San Diego San Diego, California Active
  1. ^ The university closed the chapter for “risk management violations in conjunction with sexual harassment/sexual assault.”
  2. ^ The chapter went inactive when the university closed in August 2015.

Alumni chapters

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Following is a list of the Nu Alpha Kappa alumni chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Chapter Institution Status References
Fresno State Alumni Association California State University, Fresno Active [13]
UCSD ΝΑΚ Alumni Association University of California, San Diego Active [13]
NAK Riverside Alumni Association University of California, Riverside Active [13]
Iota Chapter California State University, Sacramento Active [13]
Kappa Chapter University of California, Davis Active [13]
Beta Chapter – ALAS San Diego State University Active [13]
Tau Chapter Alumni Association California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Active [13]
San Jose State Alpha Alumni Association San Jose State University Active [13]
Delta Chapter Alumni Association California State University, Stanislaus Active [13]
Gamma Chapter Sonoma State University Active [13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (January 18, 2021) "Nu Alpha Kappa". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed August 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "History". NAK San Jose State University. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "History". Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  4. ^ a b Shelton, Todd (2019-01-21). "Member Fraternities". NIC | North American Interfraternity Conference. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  5. ^ a b c d "Nu Alpha Kappa". Davis Wiki. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Nu Alpha Kappa | Fraternity and Sorority Life". University of Northern Colorado. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  7. ^ López, Juan Valentín. "About The NAA". Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  8. ^ "National Chapters". Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  9. ^ "Nu Alpha Kappa | Chicanx Latinx Faculty Staff Association". California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  10. ^ "UCSB Greek Life Works To Mend Relationship with Administration and Students Alike After Series of Shutdowns". The Daily Nexus. 2019-01-24. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  11. ^ "Recognized Chapters: Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc". Fraternity and Sorority Life | Colorado State University. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Omega Chapter". Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j López, Juan Valentín. "Alumni Chapters". Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
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