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ABOUT THE UPSILON OMEGA CHAPTER
The Only Jewish Fraternity in the State of Oregon
It started in the spring of 1996, with 15 inspired Jewish students from the University of Oregon. After getting approved as a colony by Nationals, the founding fathers of Upsilon Omega were initiated at the Oregon Hillel house: Daniel Vergamini , Chris Kantrowitz , Michael Mechanick , Aaron Epstein , Judah Kelber, Larry Thompson , Marcus Berger , Joel Groman , Adam Simpson , Andrew Horowitz , Vincenzo Pinto , Reid Watts, Dylan Byrns , Jeff Axman and Aaron Bergerson.
Michael Mechanik was the first master and Daniel Vergamini was the first recruitment chair. Assisted by Jeff Axeman, Vergamini recruits Reuben Burda to be the first pledge, as part of the Alpha pledge class. The next summer, Andrew Horowitz received an outstanding delegate awards in the New Jersey annual conference.
By the end of the millennium, leadership changed at the colony, and recruitment got bigger and better. Nevertheless, the fraternity was continuously functioning from the master’s house. In the end of the year 2000, the brothers finally moved to their own place which functioned as a chapter house in 25th and Alder. Consequently, the colony got its biggest pledge class until that date, nine pledges.
In May 2001 it finally happened. The AEPi Supreme Board of Governors voted for the Upsilon Omega Colony to receive its official charter. Msy 19th, 2001 was the date we officially become a chartered member of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the first one in Oregon, and second in the Pacific Northwest.
The new chapter moved to 17th and Alder and later to 15th and Alder (The Pink House), which was our first official big house, as Michael Suskin became the Mater.
Through the decade, the chapter had its ups and downs, and in 2007 Upsilon Omega held two functioning houses: the White House on 16th and halyard, and the Red House on 16th and Patterson. That year gave the chapter two of its biggest pledge classes, 10 in the spring and 12 in the fall. By the end of the 2007-2008 the chapter reached a record number of 40 brothers, led by Master Shaun Barneveld.
The year 2009 marks a new era in Upsilon Omega. In the year 2008-2009 the brothers will be living in the house on 11th, our second big house, which will contain a major number of our brothers. We are improving our brotherhood, our reputation and our organization. After 12 years at Oregon, the Upsilon Omega Chapter is becoming a powerhouse on campus, and still a hub for every Jewish student out there to feel at home, among brothers.
Brothers at the brother banquet - spring 08 |
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