Gamma Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Omega was chartered on December 9, 1939, through the efforts of Albert Weissberg, a transfer student from the university of Texas and Alpha Rho chapter. Al convinced H. Roe Bartle, then the National President of Alpha Phi Omega, that the University of Washington needed a chapter even though the required number of students had not yet been found. By the time the Spring of 1940 had arrived, the chapter had grown to 25 active members. Early projects included voluntary fingerprinting of students for the FBI.
With the dawn of World War II, the number of male students in colleges and universities dwindled, and Gamma Alpha added no new members from 1941 until 34 Brothers joined the chapter November 22, 1947, in a ceremony held at the Gowman Hotel. Under the leadership of Joseph Scanlon, a Scout Executive, National Board Member of Alpha Phi Omega, and later first National Executive Director of the fraternity, seventeen Alpha Phi Omega chapters were either restarted or chartered in just three years time. Bob Hilliard, who was installed as chapter president, would later serve 18 years on the National Board of Alpha Phi Omega, rising to the position of Vice-President of the Fraternity. Lloyd Schram and Glen Nygreen were faculty advisors. In 1970, Dr. Nygreen was elected National President of Alpha Phi Omega. Sol Levy became an honorary member and Scouting advisor of this chapter.
Service has always been the focus of Gamma Alpha chapter. The chapter recleared a natural amphitheatre, originally constructed in 1909 for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, was the site of speeches by such luminaries as William Jennings Bryan, and Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt. in 1948, the chapter first provided the election officials for the ASUW elections, collected overdue university library books from the various living groups around campus, provided ushers for the Scout Circus, and assisted at the National Council Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, which was held in Seattle.
The year 1949 saw Gamma Alpha chapter looking internationally. Under the leadership of Bob Hilliard, the National Fraternity adopted the project of rebuilding the Scout Hut in London, England. Bob received an invitation from Her Majesty Queen Mary to the July 14, 1949 reopening of the North Aisle. Sol Levy traveled to London to check on the progress of the Scout Hut. In addition, Sol went to the Philippines in January, 1950, where he was instrumental in the founding of the first chapter of Alpha Phi Omega in that country. These were the only successful international ventures of Alpha Phi Omega during its first 65 years.
Bob Hilliard was conference chairman when Gamma Alpha hosted its first Northwest Chapters' Conference, with 200 Brothers from 12 chapters and 3 petitioning groups attending. Alpha Phi Omega's National President, Arno Nowotny, described the conference in a letter thusly:
"Then what a regional meeting at Seattle in the great Northwest, with headquarters in the brand new Union Building on the University of Washington campus! There are twelve chapters in this region; and all were there, plus three petitioning groups from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Some delegates had to travel 1800 miles to and from Seattle. In addition, they are making plans to expand our program into Alaska and Canada. What an inspiration to meet such a gang! The fighting Husky spirit and hospitality permeated two-and-half glorious days of fellowship, instruction, and inspiration. President Allen; Sol Levy, Scouting Advisor; and Byron Hunt, Seattle Executive; Dean Nygreen; and Joseph Scanlon were the headline speakers; and their addresses would be a credit to any convention. Chapter President James Mergens; Conference Chairman Robert Hilliard; State Chairman Nygreen; the fighting Irishman--Joseph Scanlon, member of the National Executive Board; and the Washington chapter combined to make this the finest sectional conference I have ever attended. This visit will always remain in my memory as one of the richest experiences in my life."
The University of Washington blood pool was begun in February, 1950, with the donations of 21 chapter members. The chapter began providing Christmas trees to the Student Union Building in 1955. This project expanded to include other University offices, and continued until 1969. The Ugly Man on Campus contest raised over $10,000 for scholarships from 1956 to 1972. The most famous winner was Husky football great and NFL star Ben Davidson. Five Brothers from Gamma Alpha and seven Brothers from Kappa Rho (Seattle University) served as guides and ushers for the first Eagle Scout Recognition Banquet in the Husky Union Building on June 2, 1960. The chapter continued to provide those services through the 1960's. Early in the 1960's the chapter began giving campus tours to prospective incoming students. In 1968, the chapter raised $1,500 for minority scholarships selling penny suckers - 1 for $.10, 2 for $.15, 3 for $.50, and 4 for $1.00! In 1968 the chapter began a Cub Pack and Boy Scout Troop at Lowell School for the handicapped students in the Seattle school district. Funds were raised to support the program by selling candy canes, with the cooperation of the Kappa Delta and Gamma Phi beta sororities. Daniel J. Evans, then-Governor and later U.S. Senator from Washington, joined Gamma Alpha as an honorary member in 1969.
Safety on campus was an issue in 1970, and Gamma Alpha conducted a survey on campus to determine where students felt the greatest need to improve the lighting. In 1971, in conjunction with the University of Washington Police Department, Gamma Alpha began the campus' first Night Escort Service, with radio-dispatched cars controlled from the Husky Union Building.
Gamma Alpha hosted the first Region X convention in Seattle, December 27-29, 1971. Hosting people in the Delta Zeta sorority house, conference speakers were Dr. John Hanke of the National Board of Directors, Advisor Dr. Larry Halpern, and Norton Clapp, National President of the Boy Scouts of America. The unplanned hit of the conference was the opportunity to sack 20 tons of potatoes for the Neighbors in Need. Dave Corning received the Region X Distinguished Service Key at this conference.
Gamma Alpha chapter was inactive from 1978 until November 1991, when Richard Meeks and Franklin Lobb began organizing a group of Eagle Scouts in a rechartering effort. Richard and Franklin were soon joined by others including Tony Ploughe, an Alpha Phi Omega alumnus from Purdue. From November until January, these men recruited members and found advisors. By January there were 5 petitioning members including Richard Meeks, Aaron Bigby, Frank Lobb, and Megan Loeser. Dr. Larry Halpern, O.J. Whittemore, and Roger Serra became Gamma Alpha chapters faculty advisors. Lisa Edens was introduced as the scouting advisor in January. Dave Corning became an active part of the petitioning process whit his support both financial and otherwise. The chapter grew to include fifteen petitioning members. This included eight men and seven women. This was the first time that women had become significantly involved in Gamma Alpha. The petitioning ceremony was held on March 1, 1992. Region X Director Allen Wong presided over this ceremony with ten other Gamma Alpha alumni. With this ceremony, Washington state once again had an Alpha Phi Omega chapter in it.
During the petitioning period, Gamma Alpha chapter completed over 300 hours of service. In February 1992, Gamma Alpha members answered the phones during the Children's Hospital telethon to raise money to benefit Seattle's Children's Orthopedic Hospital. In March of this same year, members of the petitioning group began working in conjunction with local churches on Teen Feed. This program provides a free meal to the homeless teens in the University District. In April and May, a number of other programs were started including blood drives, campus clean-ups, weeding of the Medicinal Herb Garden, and work with local Boy Scout troops and in the residence hall programs. A newsletter was also begun in an attempt to locate and contact alumni of Gamma Alpha. This proved successful and the chapter made contact with many of its alumni including Al Weissberg who had not heard from this chapter in over 20 years.
On May 30, 1992, Gamma Alpha chapter was reactivated with the following fifteen members. Region X Director Allen Wong returned to lead the ritual team along with past National President Earle Herbert and alumni including Dave Corning, Stan Boone, Andy Peck, and many others. The Petitioning Members were: Richard Meeks, Aaron Bigby, Julie Shultz, Melissa Briscoe, Tami Bennett, Claire Vandersluis, Megan Loeser, Ethan Black, Frank Lobb, Jeff Pascal, Rob Porter, Alicia Jellison, Kristi Jahns, Reed Moss, and Andrew Bodien. In the fall of 1992, the chapter began its first pledge class. This class was composed of 15 people and Frank Lobb and Melissa Briscoe were the first Pledge Trainers.
The 1992 National Convention in Boston was the first experience this chapter had with the rest of the nation. This was the first time in 20 years that Section 8 had voting delegates at the conference. Due to the sponsorship of Dave Corning, 8 Brothers were able to attend. Voting delegates were then-President Richard Meeks and Secretary Julie Shultz.
February of 1991 was the chapter's first Chapter President's Workshop, a harrowing trip to Chico, CA, and the beginning of many road trips. In April, at the University of Oregon reactivation ceremony, Dave Corning, Gamma Alpha alumnus, received the Section 8 Distinguished Service Key for his efforts in rebuilding the section.
After 2 years of work restarting Gamma Alpha chapter, and functioning as its president, Richard Meeks turned over the job at the May elections. In May of 1993, Julie Shultz was inducted as the new president of Gamma Alpha chapter. She was the first woman inducted in this job since the chapter's beginning.
In January of 1994, Richard Meeks received the Gamma Alpha DSK and the Spring pledge class was named after Dave Corning. On April 8, 1994, Gamma Alpha chapter hosted a very successful Section 8 Conference (Titled: Withstanding the Test of Time). This included 3 chapters in Section 8, 3 petitioning groups, and many visitors from Section 4, Section 8, Regional, and National Staff. In May of 1994, Julie Shultz received the Chapter DSK. In May of 1994, with Julie graduating, the presidential office was passed on to Matt Ferrel. In the Fall of 1994, Gamma Alpha continued its tradition of assisting with the Campus Blood Drive. In December of 1994, Gamma Alpha attended the national conference in Texas. Also in 1994, the office of the president was taken over by Cameron Morrissey. At the tri-sectional conference on the weekend of April 21st-23rd, Rob Campbell of the University of Oregon chapter was elected Section 8 Chair. Immediately following the conference, members of Gamma Alpha headed to Pullman, WA to oversee the activation of the Washington State University Petitioning Group as a full-fledged chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. That was to be but one of the chapters to be activated and overseen by Gamma Alpha members, as on May 20th the Seattle University chapter was re-activated. Three new members were also brought into Gamma Alpha that Spring in the Allen Wong Pledge Class. The members of this class were Gina Kunkel, Ryan Meeks, and Cliff Gilley, all of whom would fill positions in their first year.