National History

Alpha Phi Omega is a national coeducational service organization and was founded on December 16, 1925, at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, by Frank Reed Horton and 13 other students who were former Boy Scouts and scouters, as a way to continue participating in the ideals of Scouting at the college level.  The founders insisted that all those gaining membership must pledge to uphold the fraternity's three cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service.

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The Iota Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega was chartered at the University of South Carolina on January 19, 1951. Iota Mu has been a very active chapter, providing the campus, community, and brotherhood a solid foundation of service. The success of our service programs is dependent upon our individual members, who strive to uphold the fraternity’s cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service.