History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 111

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M u lt i c u lt u r a l G r e e k Co u n c i l ( MGC )

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) governs culturally-based fraternity
and sorority chapters. Lambda Theta Phi became the first culturally-based
organization on the UF campus in 1995. The MGC was founded at UF in 1999
by members of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Lambda Theta Alpha
Latin Sorority, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, and Sigma Lambda
Gamma National Sorority. MGC organizations formed in support of a wide
variety of cultures, for example Latino, Asian, South Asian, and Multicultural.
Today, MGC governs 14 culturally based organizations — 7 fraternities and 7
sororities.
F l o r i d a B l u e K e y ( FBK )
Florida Blue Key (FBK) was founded as a student leadership fraternity tapping
the “best and brightest” UF students in 1923 to host a Dad’s Day weekend of
events. Dad’s Day events included attendance at a UF home football game. The
Dad’s Day weekend events were successful and evolved into what is now called
Homecoming. From 1924 on, all UF Homecoming events have been organized by
FBK. In 1929, the first Annual Florida Blue Key Homecoming Banquet occurred.
In 1935, FBK membership voted unanimously to not affiliate with the Blue Key
National Honor Society — or any national organization. In 1936, FBK incorporated
under Florida law. In 1943, Florida Blue Key activity suspended during WWII.
UF enrollment dropped significantly as students left college to join the military.
After the war in 1946, FBK was reactivated by ten members returning to UF
to complete college. Other major milestones for the group include the first
Black student elected to membership in 1970 and the first women elected to
membership in 1974. In 2007, Florida Blue Key Alumni chapters were established
in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Tampa.
Today, election to membership in FBK is highly sought by UF student leaders. In
2014 – 2015, there were nearly 200 active FBK UF student members and 6,200
FBK alumni. Per the FBK website, there are around 50 UF buildings named after
FBK alumni. FBK continues to organize UF Homecoming events and other high
profile campus-wide events.

Depa rtment histor ies : student activities an d i nvolvement