2008 Woodie Awards
East meets Greeks
Asian-American frat now at UCF
Lauren Paulauskas
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News
After three years in the background, members of UCF's first traditionally Asian-American fraternity took their place among the pantheon of Greek communities.
Since 2005, the 10-man group operated under the name Flashbulb Memory, but was unable to advertise itself much on campus. At events, they had to refer to themselves as "a group of Asian-American men" because they were not officially recognized by the university.
That all changed when, in February, the group made a presentation to Greek Affairs to join the Diversified Greek Council as the UCF branch of Pi Delta Psi.
"The only major difference between being named and not is recognition," said member Jon Mildner, a senior organizational communication major.
Supporting the group at the presentation in the Communications Building was SGA President Brandie Hollinger, as well as the Chinese-American Student Association, the Asian Pacific American Coalition, the Filipino Student Association, the Vietnamese-American Student Association, the Korean Student Association and the Office of Diversity Initiatives.
"[Greek Affairs] were really surprised by all the support we have," said Xi Guo, a junior electrical engineering major.
Group members were ecstatic about their acceptance, championing it as an opportunity to further diversify the UCF Greek community and break widespread Asian stereotypes.
In an interview with members in January, they explained the group's struggles during its long road toward acceptance.
"The school doesn't even see us," Mildner said. "We want to show the school we're capable of doing something."
Prior to their presentation, members logged more than 2,000 hours of community service.
Some of the group's volunteer work has been with Give Kids the World and a Martin Luther King Jr. parade.
Recently, they helped feed the homeless in downtown Orlando with the Coalition for the Homeless.
"All of us are free on Saturday mornings," Mildner said. "It's just an opportunity to give back to the community. We're willing to help."
Since 2005, the 10-man group operated under the name Flashbulb Memory, but was unable to advertise itself much on campus. At events, they had to refer to themselves as "a group of Asian-American men" because they were not officially recognized by the university.
That all changed when, in February, the group made a presentation to Greek Affairs to join the Diversified Greek Council as the UCF branch of Pi Delta Psi.
"The only major difference between being named and not is recognition," said member Jon Mildner, a senior organizational communication major.
Supporting the group at the presentation in the Communications Building was SGA President Brandie Hollinger, as well as the Chinese-American Student Association, the Asian Pacific American Coalition, the Filipino Student Association, the Vietnamese-American Student Association, the Korean Student Association and the Office of Diversity Initiatives.
"[Greek Affairs] were really surprised by all the support we have," said Xi Guo, a junior electrical engineering major.
Group members were ecstatic about their acceptance, championing it as an opportunity to further diversify the UCF Greek community and break widespread Asian stereotypes.
In an interview with members in January, they explained the group's struggles during its long road toward acceptance.
"The school doesn't even see us," Mildner said. "We want to show the school we're capable of doing something."
Prior to their presentation, members logged more than 2,000 hours of community service.
Some of the group's volunteer work has been with Give Kids the World and a Martin Luther King Jr. parade.
Recently, they helped feed the homeless in downtown Orlando with the Coalition for the Homeless.
"All of us are free on Saturday mornings," Mildner said. "It's just an opportunity to give back to the community. We're willing to help."