Every international president of a fraternity started out as a rushee visiting chapters. For Phi Lambda’s own Vic Ramos ‘91, he took his own time before making the decision to explore fraternities at Penn State.
“I grew up in Queens, New York, and I had no clue about fraternities and the loyalty of the PSU football fans,” he explained. “In freshman year, I thought I was too cool to join a fraternity. In my third semester, I went with a few friends to rush several houses. Once I met the brothers at AXP, I felt relaxed and at home with a diverse group of guys. They were indeed diverse and down to earth.”
Vic, of course, received a bid and began his pledgeship. “AXP wasn’t considered the best Fraternity on campus, but was respected and it was one of the originals founded in 1917. We served on IFC, competed in all sports, held an annual philanthropy where all fraternities respected, and we supported all of the other philanthropies on campus.”
The fraternity showed Vic new things, as it does for many members. “Growing up in a single parent household, charity and philanthropy were foreign to me. Our annual philanthropy was the Haunted Crow House during Halloween. I was pledging at the time in the fall of 1987. The amount of work, the camaraderie and, ultimately, the donation we made gave us all a sense of immense pride.
“I learned what it was to be part of a community and what it was to give back,” Vic said. “That taught me a valuable life lesson. I have to say that it brought us together and taught us that service to others is what is important. AXP taught me philanthropy, how to budget, responsibility, and that, together, anything is possible.”
Vic continued to be inspired by those lessons throughout his time as an alumnus. “I think that because of what AXP taught me is the reason I volunteer,” he said. “I firmly believe that the lessons learned far outweigh any of the negatives of being a Fraternity member, especially a member of AXP. I believe in paying it forward.”
That belief benefitted Phi Lambda and the Fraternity as a whole. “I was instrumental in raising the original funds to buy back our house at 425 Locust Lane,” Vic explained, “served as National Ritual Officer, National Vice President, and National President from 2011-2015. I am also a trustee of the AXP Educational Foundation. You might say I am vested.”
He continued talking about the importance of the Phi Lambda chapter house and collective responsibility. “The house was something revered. ‘Pride’ is the word I would use when discussing the house. We took pride in keeping it clean and held each other to account to pull his weight to that effect.
“As a member of the property association and a 20 year volunteer focusing on many of the properties of AXP, I understand how, as a Fraternity, we need to provide housing comparable or better than the alternatives offered off campus. Part of being in a Fraternity requires you to live in the house. The campaign will help us offer the amenities and advantages offered in new off campus housing. We want people to want to live in a house they are proud of.”
The Fraternity benefitted Vic as well. “Without AXP, I wouldn’t understand what it means to be a man,” he said. “I wouldn’t understand how to resolve conflict, give back, understand that anything is possible, especially if many row in the same direction.
“My parents were divorced when I was nine and I did not have a male role model after that, although my mom taught me to be tough and she is my hero. I have since had a fantastic relationship with my dad in my adulthood, although he passed in 2019. My dad did his best and AXP helped me immensely when I needed it.”
