The origins of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Chapter lay in the fall quarter of 1995 at the University of California at Davis. Roberto Felix, Raul Lopez, Jason Francis, Juan Alderete, Sigifredo Juarez, and Alex Gonzalez, met and became friends in Casa Cuahtemoc, a theme house that promotes the Chicano/Latino Culture in the Tercero Housing Area. As the quarter progressed, this group of young men along with Ivan Chaidez a friend living out side of CASA started looking to the Chicano/Latino organizations on campus so that they could help give back to the community. However, after reviewing their options and considering whether or not to join an organization, they felt that they had not found an organization that fit their needs.
This group of young men was different from everyone else and they were looking for something different, they were searching for an organization that stood for academic excellence, an organization that strived for community involvement, but at the same time offered social interaction. This was when the first discussions about starting a new organization, and more specially a fraternity, started to sprout up amongst the group. Thus, this core of young men embarked on a task to find an organization that fit the mold and that embodied the ideals of cultura, carnalismo, y educacion.
These young men learned of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. through family members in the organization. Ivan and Sigifredo both had cousins that were a part of NAK. From these family members, the group was given a good idea of what NAK represented and furthermore, the young men felt that NAK offered a great opportunity to join something that represented and encompassed their ideals of cultura, carnalismo, y educacion.
The following year, the seven men resumed discussion about chartering a chapter of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Now however, Manuel Vasquez and Luis Mora joined the group. Before they knew it, they were taking the necessary steps to become a part of the NAK familia. Upon meeting the brothers of Nu Alpha Kappa and learning more about the organization, they felt that they were ready to begin the process of chartering a chapter of NAK.
First however, they became an official organization on campus. So on January 27, 1997, the gentlemen met for their first official meeting. This group of men came to be known as Ollin (Nahautl for movement) Raza Avanzando La Educacion or better known as O.R.A.L.E. On February 4, 1997 O.R.A.L.E became a recognized student organization by the University of California at Davis. Soon there after, O.R.A.L.E. began to get involved in the community and strived to become more visible on campus, whether through community service events or fundraisers, the group was showing the enthusiasm that had lead them to becoming an interest group.
They began to mature as an organization and learned how to effectively run an organization. From the financial responsibilities to the social and educational aspects of school life, they learned how to balance the two and quickly became recognized as one of the leading organizations on the Davis campus. Soon thereafter, the Chicano/Latino community started noticing the work and dedication of this new organization. At this time, in the middle of winter quarter, was when O.R.A.L.E. admitted it last two members, Omar Peña and Eduardo Rivera.
In Spring Quarter of 1997 O.R.A.L.E. was given a chance to be heard by the National Board of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. At a National Meeting in San Diego, the group presented their progress as an organization and expressed its interest in becoming a chapter of NAK. The group was accepted; so on April 12, 1997 O.R.A.L.E. became the official KAPPA CHAPTER PROSPECTS of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. The group had now embarked on a journey that would take unbelievable dedication and heart. After seven months and eighteen days O.R.A.L.E at UC Davis became the Kappa Chapter of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. Setting standards on campus and winning the Best New Organization on Campus Award along the way.
