CSU – Pueblo New Co-Ed, Military Veteran’s Fraternity on Campus
 
Pueblo – Chances are few students on the Colorado State University – Pueblo campus would recognize the name Omicron Delta Gamma. But this new fraternity isn’t for just anyone. Members of this co-ed fraternity must either currently serve or have served in the military.

One of the unique qualities of the organization is that it is not open just to CSU-Pueblo students, but anyone attending an institution of higher education in southern. According to President Robert Murphy, this isn’t your typical fraternity. The goal of this organization is to provide the “brother and sisterhood that veterans grew accustomed to in the military” and to give them “guidance and support.” All activities will be driven by the basic principle of “helping each other and other veterans to accomplish the goals that they have set.” Murphy explained that since most veterans are beyond the typical college age, they aren’t seeking a typical college social life, but are more interested in working toward achieving their educational goals.

Omicron Delta Gamma intends to do this through a variety of social events for singles and for married couples. Parent’s Night Out, for example, will involve fraternity officers watching over fraternity members’ children so that they can have an evening to go out with their spouses.
The fraternity also plans to become involved in many community service projects in this area as well. At the recent hurricane relief drive hosted by the University, as many as 20 potential fraternity members contributed to the project by providing traffic control and helping to unload and sort donations. Future community projects will be aimed at assisting local veterans. For example, members might help build ramps at the homes of disabled, returning veterans.

According to Steve Nichols, fraternity vice president and U.S. Navy veteran, there are about 400 vets at CSU-Pueblo and more than 71,000 between Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
He said the fraternity provides a chance to be in a brotherhood much like the military, and it helps veterans become more familiar with their common background.

The fraternity also plans to become involved in many community service projects in this area as well. At the recent hurricane relief drive hosted by the University, as many as 20 fraternity members contributed to the project by providing traffic control and helping to unload and sort donations. Future community projects will focus on assisting local veterans. For example, members might help build ramps at the homes of disabled, returning veterans.

All activities will be driven by the basic principle of “helping each other and other veterans to accomplish the goals that they have set.” Murphy explained that since most veterans are beyond the typical college age, they aren’t seeking a typical college social life, rather they want to complete their educations and graduate.

The chartering process has been completed, and Murphy indicates he currently has 21 active members. The students also have begun to organize a branch at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, where they already have had 300 students express interest.

For more information, contact Murphy in the Upward Bound office at (719) 549-3077


 Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.