Pennsylvania Gamma Chapter
The PA-Gamma Colony was founded at the Pennsylvania State University’s Lehigh Valley campus in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 2011, several military veterans attending Penn State Lehigh Valley met each other for the first time in an evening course for “adult or non-traditional” students. From the first day of class, each student took notice in each other certain characteristics such as bearing, appearance, and speech indicating others with military backgrounds. Group discussions were often dominated by the majority of the room expressing their similar values and culture instilled in them from their military culture. The class became a safe place for the veterans to discuss veteran related issues on campus and within their communities. Among the issues was the lack of support and representation for veterans on campus. The class’s professor was an advisor on campus and an avid supporter of veterans, she suggested the students should do something about the lack of a support system. During the semester, a discussion began about starting the first student veteran organization on the Lehigh Valley campus.
In the spring of 2012, the Blue and White Warriors also known as the Penn State Lehigh Valley Veterans Society was established. As the club developed over the next year, the veterans wanted to network with other student veterans on other campuses. They wanted to be a part of something greater and recognizable on a national level. Penn State University’s main campus was at this time home of Omega Delta Sigma’s national headquarters along with the PA-A chapter (the first chapter in Pennsylvania). By the spring of 2014, the majority of the club’s active members were in favor of organizing an Omega Delta Sigma colony on campus. This would be the first and only fraternity on the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. Our founding president Grace Kim would take the lead along with the support of the veteran’s club president and our founding vice-president Kevin Mitra to attain acceptance from national and organize the colony.
Since PA-Gamma Colony’s founding on February 9th, 2014, we have continued to serve as advocates and a point of contact for veterans on campus. We are indeed “Professionals, Scholars, Warriors”… as our members assist comrades on campus and many volunteer within their communities. We are responsible for the annual “Toys for Tots” campaign on campus along with other charitable activities. The PA-Gamma Colony is the host of the Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Veteran’s Day Events promoting patriotism in addition to support for veterans and their families throughout the surrounding communities.
In the spring of 2012, the Blue and White Warriors also known as the Penn State Lehigh Valley Veterans Society was established. As the club developed over the next year, the veterans wanted to network with other student veterans on other campuses. They wanted to be a part of something greater and recognizable on a national level. Penn State University’s main campus was at this time home of Omega Delta Sigma’s national headquarters along with the PA-A chapter (the first chapter in Pennsylvania). By the spring of 2014, the majority of the club’s active members were in favor of organizing an Omega Delta Sigma colony on campus. This would be the first and only fraternity on the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. Our founding president Grace Kim would take the lead along with the support of the veteran’s club president and our founding vice-president Kevin Mitra to attain acceptance from national and organize the colony.
Since PA-Gamma Colony’s founding on February 9th, 2014, we have continued to serve as advocates and a point of contact for veterans on campus. We are indeed “Professionals, Scholars, Warriors”… as our members assist comrades on campus and many volunteer within their communities. We are responsible for the annual “Toys for Tots” campaign on campus along with other charitable activities. The PA-Gamma Colony is the host of the Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Veteran’s Day Events promoting patriotism in addition to support for veterans and their families throughout the surrounding communities.
Pennsylvania Gamma Founders
Brother Grace Kim, Brother Kevin Mitra, Brother Zach Sommer, Brother Will Snyder, Brother Terry AK DeCamp, Brother Nick Faircloth, Brother David Miller, Brother Virola Goldo