- A Citation and Proclamation from the New York City Council presented by Council Member Hiram Monserrate recognizing Phi Iota Alpha for its 75 years of service to the community.
- Queens Borough President Helen Marshall proclaiming July 28th 2007 "Phi Iota Alpha Day."
- Keynote Speech by Brother Jorge "Checito" Goldstein Ph.D. (1968)
- Phi Iota Alpha National Award Winners:
- Santos "Suerte" Avila - Undergraduate Brother of the Year
- Alberto "Demasiado" Elvira - Alumni Brother of the Year
- Alpha Eta Colony - Chapter/Colony of the Year
- Phi and Alpha Gamma Colonies obtained Full Chapter Status and are now Phi & Alpha Gamma Chapters
- Entertainment by La Excelencia Band - "Salsa con Conciencia" & DJ Vycio
All proceeds of the 75th Anniversary Banquet will go to the Union Foundation to support its various philanthropic causes, and scholarships.
Photos of the banquet are available for purchase from Mario Giovani Photography. The exclusive photographer of the 75th Anniversary banquet:
http://www.mariogiovani.comRemaining true to the fraternity's principles, brothers took time to give back during the four-day event. On Sunday Brothers volunteered at the Washington Heights Children's Festival. Despite pouring rain brothers participated in distributing food and health information to thousands of families at the largest Latino Family Health event in the country.
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Since 1931, Phi Iota Alpha has set precedents for Latino greek leadership in the global community. Through the past 75 years, Phi Iota Alpha has cultivated and inspired Latino men nationwide to become leaders of their communities across Latin America and the United States. Open to all men, this distinguished brotherhood includes many professionals and former presidents of Latin American countries. Today Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, continues to lead as the preeminent Latino fraternal organization with chapters throughout the United States.
Established in 2004, The Union Foundation is Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity's philanthropic arm. The Foundation is an initiative designed to impact the lives of Latino communities in the areas of education, economic development, and social progress. The Union Foundation is a private, charitable non-profit organization.
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - The Oldest Existing Latino Fraternity
council@phiota.org - 49 East 41st Street Suite 449 New York, New York 10165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts:
Omar LopezDirector of Marketing
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
http://www.phiota.org/press.php
casal5@hotmail.com
Nation's Oldest Latino Inter-Collegiate Fraternity
Celebrates 75th Anniversary
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On July 27, 2007 Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, celebrated it's 75th Anniversary Convention. Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity, established for Latino Americans in the United States. It was founded December 26, 1931 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Over 200 members of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., spanning from the 1950's to the present day gathered in New York City from July 26-29 for educational workshops, motivational speakers, celebrations, and community service.
"It was a once in a lifetime experience for myself and our brothers. Our convention was filled with educational workshops, presentations, training, discussion panels, great entertainment, and best of all a lot of FamIliA time," Executive Director Jason "Promesa" Nicolau said.
The 75th Anniversary convention was made possible with the generous support of: Union Foundation, White Rose, National Hispanic Institute, Teach for America, New York Life, Porkys Producs, Batanga, Latino University Magazine, Friends of Lead Free Children, Met Foods, New York Newsday, Hemandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, La Unidad Latina-Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Señoritas Latinas Unidas-Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc, and Latinas Poderosas Unidas-Lambda Pi Upsilon.
Convention also allowed members to celebrate the fraternity's rich history. Workshops and presentations by distinguished brothers like Don Eric "Travelog" Sanmaniego (1954) gave brothers an opportunity to expense history on a more personal level. Brother Sanmiego and many others were video interviewed for an upcoming documentary and for the Phiota Oral History archives.
Convention was capped off with the 75th Anniversary Banquet located at Terrace on the Park. Sponsored by the Union Foundation, over 400 brothers and guests enjoyed an evening of enrichment, entertainment, gorgeous views of the New York City skyline, and Flushing Meadows Park.
Highlights of the evening include:
