During Founders’ Month, we celebrate the many wonderful aspects of AEPi. Among those is the fact that so many brothers have fathers, grandfathers, uncles and biological brothers in AEPi. This passing of the torch to the next generation – L’dor V’ador – is an instrumental concept in our fraternity which is based on passing down shared values and a critical mission to younger brothers. Over the last year, nearly 15% of all AEPi initiates were legacies.

Brother Brad Garber (Columbia, 2026) is a great example of the multi-generational nature of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “My brother (Blake Garber – Columbia, 2024) was an AEPi here at Columbia and so were some of my cousins. My dad (Brett Garber, George Washington, 1988) was an AEPi but not here at Columbia, he graduated from George Washington University.”

Hailing from Lower Marion, PA, Brad arrived at Columbia four years ago with a pretty good idea that he wanted to be involved in AEPi’s Iota chapter. “I knew I wanted to find a great group of guys with similar backgrounds and values as I hold. I had heard so many great things about AEPi from my brother who was in the chapter at the time, his friends, my cousins.”

“My dad’s AEPi experiences were great and all his friends that I’ve met during his time in college were his fraternity brothers. And, with my brother in the chapter before me, everyone I knew here was already in the chapter. AEPi meant that I could find a place within the school. I went to the rush events, and I just knew right away that it was the place for me.”

The chapter was struggling a bit when he joined but, along with the other brothers, they began to rebuild the culture and the chapter’s motivation soared. “After two semesters in AEPi, I was eligible to join the executive board. I was elected Lieutenant Master (Vice President) that semester. We worked really hard and had great success. We initiated the largest new member class that Fall that we had had in a long time. And, at the same time, we were rebuilding the culture.”

After two terms as Lieutenant Master, Brad was elected chapter Master (President). Now, looking back on his two terms leading the chapter (his tenure ends next month), Brad is content with the direction the chapter is heading. “We’re set up very well for the future…lots of great young guys and a lot of excitement.”

Over the last two plus years, Columbia has been the focal point for the explosion of campus antisemitism and AEPi has helped provide the campus Jewish community with a safe place.

“I was fortunate not to personally experience any antisemitism or attacks but there were definitely brothers who experienced the hate and were very affected by it. It was disruptive during classes and finals for all of us.”

“Having this AEPi community who have the same values as you and respect you makes a BIG difference. You know that you have a safe space to come hang out with people who are like you. During those times when the anti-Israel protests were so huge and almost violent, that was huge. When it seemed like there were no students like you at Columbia, AEPi was that home for us where we knew that there would be people who shared our values. It was great to have AEPi for that.”

Despite – or perhaps because of — the sentiment on campus, the chapter has become stronger. “We’ve actually grown despite all the hardships, and I think that’s a testament to people just sticking together through tough times and knowing that AEPi is the place to be.”

#ProudtobeaPi

The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation has an ambitious goal of raising $613,000 during Founders Month to support our brothers and chapter programming. You can make a donation to the Foundation’s General Fund or to support chapter of your choice by clicking here. If you want to support the Iota Chapter at Columbia University, you can click here.