The Omicron chapter of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity will celebrate its 70th anniversary Oct. 11 during Homecoming and Family Weekend.

From 1955 to 2003, AKL brothers enriched Pacific with a commitment to the fraternity’s Five Ideals: Judeo-Christian Principles, Leadership, Scholarship, Loyalty and Self-Support. Though the chapter has closed, its impact—on its members and on the university—remains strong. 

At Homecoming, a robust reunion will feature 25- and 50-year pinnings, the Sweetheart Song, and an opportunity to tour the former “new” AKL house. An Omega Chapter ceremony at Morris Hall will honor members who have passed away.

The celebration also includes a tribute to the late Daisy Mae Ables Berry, AKL's longtime and much beloved house cook.

“Daisy didn’t just nourish our bodies with food. She gave so much to everybody. It didn’t matter who you were—she just really cared about you,” said Reunion Co-Chair Tom Clark ’85. “In many ways, she was more of a house mother, too. She was always present, and she engaged with the students and listened to them.”

Daisy was small in stature but had a larger-than-life personality. She is remembered as a good listener and a very spiritual woman who was firm but loving.

“She had her rules, she enforced them, and you respected her for it,” Clark said. “Letting students do whatever they want means you don’t care, but she cared enough to say something.”

Daisy oversaw the employment of many student hashers and kitchen managers over the years. She welcomed neighboring students to the house for free meals and often invited them to volunteer at her church’s pancake breakfast.

Students cared so much about her that they often sought ways to give back.

“During the summers, brothers would do repair work around her house. One summer a couple of brothers painted her house. This was all done out of love for Daisy—this tiny woman was loved by all,” recalled Alan Cook ’77.

To honor her legacy, chapter members have established the Daisy Mae Ables Berry Memorial Fund. Reflecting Daisy’s nurturing spirit, the fund supports student emergency needs and the Pacific Food Pantry. The chapter aims to raise $10,000 during its reunion.

A generous challenge from Sharon Levin ’84 and her husband Ismayil Guracar ’85--an AKL brother and little sister—will match up to $5,000 in gifts.

“This kind of support would have been huge for me,” Levin said. “There were times I wasn’t sure I would make it through Pacific, so the opportunity to give back spoke to me. Being able to help students, letting them focus on school instead of survival, makes me incredibly happy.”

During the 2024-25 academic year, the emergency fund helped nearly 150 students meet urgent and unexpected needs. Last semester alone, the Pacific Food Pantry supported nearly 400 students facing food insecurity.

“We learned how Pacific helped a student whose family lost everything in the Palisades Fire,” Levin said. “This proves that helping students stay in school is more than waiving tuition. Sometimes, it’s ensuring they have clothes on their back, food in their stomach and a roof over their head. All of it matters.”

AKL members look forward to reconnecting at Homecoming and learning more about the experiences of current Pacific students. They encourage others, in attendance or not, to join them in celebrating a woman universally loved for nourishing bodies and souls.

Said Levin, “People disagree on various things, but nobody disagrees on Daisy Mae. Nobody.”

To register for Homecoming and Family Weekend, click here.

To donate to the Daisy Mae Ables Berry Memorial Fund, click here.