History

Alpha Iota Pi was founded in 1951 by Willard G. Smith, a faculty member who felt that the Asian men at the USC School of Pharmacy needed their own fraternity. Post-war discrimination after WWII by fraternities at the national level excluded pharmacy students of Jewish, Japanese and Chinese ancestry. Rho Pi Phi, as a Jewish fraternity, became USC School of Pharmacy's first local pharmacy fraternity and Alpha Iota Pi, as an Asian fraternity, became USC School of Pharmacy's second local pharmacy fraternity. In the early years, Alpha Iota Pi's membership fluctuated due to the scarcity of Asian students and even disbanded in the mid-1950's. However, with the help of Rho Pi Phi, Alpha Iota Pi was able to get back on its feet again.

In the Beginning....

Alpha Iota Pi started as a social fraternity, a respite from the rigors of pharmacy school. Its main purpose as an all-male social fraternity was to have fun. Exchanges with all-female sororities became the focus of its activities. Throughout the 1960's, 1970's and most of the 1980's, exchanges were just about the only activity on Alpha Iota Pi's agenda. Each era had it's own traditions, but the common thread were the exchanges.

The Saga Continues....

Today, Alpha Iota Pi is a diverse, balanced fraternity whose roster of student leaders at the USC School of Pharmacy is phenomenal. It's philosophies of brotherhood, leadership, loyalty and professionalism will sustain it well into future decades. In 2001, Alpha Iota Pi proudly celebrated it 50th anniversary.

Past Presidents

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

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