3-Peat: Pi Kappa Phi wins Purdue's top award again
The collective accomplishments of the fraternity were honored once again in an awards ceremony on April, 16, 2010.
For the third consecutive school year, Pi Kappa Phi, 330 N. Grant St., was named the RB Stewart Award winner, signifying it once again as Purdue’s top fraternity.
Contributing to its unprecedented ongoing recognition, the fraternity was a finalist in five of the eight categories used to judge the overall Stewart Award winner. The categories had either three or four finalists each. The ones for which Pi Kappa Phi was a finalist in 2010 included recruitment, leadership, philanthropy, brotherhood and chapter pride.
Winning the award for the third time signifies we're on track to run excellence into tradition at the Omega chapter, president Dan Cronin said. After an unexpected change in the application process went into effect this year, it is truly exciting to be the recipient yet again. I believe all of the brothers are beginning to see the benefits of their hard work and dedication as well what's next for the chapter.
Cronin, a senior in civil engineering received the 2010 Steven C. Beering Fraternity President of the Year award at the ceremony, too. Pat Kuhnle also was recognized as the Philip Bowers Chapter Advisor of the Year.
In an odd twist of fate, Pi Kappa Phi was actually given the award twice in the same academic year. It received the 2008-09 award in October 2009 and then again April 2010 for 2009-10. The Purdue Interfraternity Council changed the award from being given in the fall after the completion of the previous school year to the end of the current year.
There was a change in the Stewart application process as each category required a 300-word essay with no support documentation. Previously, the chapter submitted a four-inch binder full of programming and support documentation.
Essays for the individual categories were coordinated by vice president Mike Lolkus. He cited a 31-member Fall 2009 and a 21-member Spring 2010 class as evidence of successful recruitment efforts.
The leadership essay indicated the chapter has members involved in various campus organizations including multiple Boiler Gold Rush team leaders, members involved in the Interfraternity Council and Old Masters Executive Council. Other positions held by Pi Kapps included the president of the National Electrical Contractions Association and the founder of the Associated Schools of Construction. Each of its 115 undergraduate members is expected to be part of at least one campus organization.
The chapter excels in the philanthropy front as well. The chapter holds the Greek Open, a Greek golf tournament co-sponsored with Alpha Phi sorority, in the fall. It recently completed its 12th annual Pi Kapp 100, a100-kilometer cycling trip from Zionsville to the Purdue campus to raise money and awareness for the disabled. It holds an annual War of Roses, a weeklong Greek empathy training-talent show competition, which raises funds for Push America, the fraternity's national outreach program for disabled. Furthermore, it has participated in more than 20 other Greek-sponsored campus wide philanthropies. Pi Kappa Phi is in the second year with a volunteer relationship with a special needs class at Lafayette Jefferson High School where more than a third of the total chapter membership has volunteered daily over a regular biweekly rotation schedule during the school year.
Within the brotherhood category, the chapter has a go-to person who coordinates each week's events. They include participating in all Greek intramural activities, doing various sporting and other competitions among brothers (such as paintball, weekly local restaurant visits as a group and bowling). Other events include canoeing and camping trips. It recognizes brothers who excel in assisting others with a weekly Mr. Omega award. And it regularly schedules optional events where attendees reflect upon the meaning of the ritual of initiation as well as the chapter's strengths and weaknesses.
The chapter pride category was exemplified with how more than 40 brothers shaved their heads in solidarity upon learning in March that chapter member David Feltner was facing his third bout of cancer in four years. Countless brothers expressed measures of goodwill through messages and visits following Feltner's March 22 brain surgery and subsequent chemotherapy.
The RB Stewart Award application acts as a self-evaluation for all aspects of the fraternity, Cronin said. Throughout the year we are constantly thinking of ways to push the envelope and surpass outsider's expectations. The RB Stewart Award is a symbol that the chapter is successful in its efforts and is redefining how others view Pi Kappa Phi.
The chapter's success is recognized beyond the current undergraduates.
Phil Sharon, who is Chicago-area financial consultant who graduated in 2008, helped recruit Cronin who was named the top fraternity president this year. He takes great pride in what Pi Kappa Phi has accomplished.
"I am extremely proud to call myself an Omega Pi Kapp," he said. "It is great for the chapter to receive this type of recognition for the hard work of so many, but it is even greater to know that such awards are not the chapter's sole motivation. It is not a one-and-done chapter.
"Pi Kappa Phi has made a habit of striving to be the best and consciously chooses to be a leader on campus. It is no accident that this award has been earned three times in a row. Pi Kappa Phi has changed what has long been hoped for, into what's now expected."
Engineering graduate student James Loy echoed Sharon's comments. Loy, who was an undergraduate until 2008, is impressed with the chapter and its president “ his pledge son, Cronin.
"As an alumnus, it is extremely rewarding knowing that I was part of building the foundation of what would become the best fraternity nationally and locally," he said. "Moreover, knowing that my good friend (Dan Cronin) was integral to the chapter's excellence is very fulfilling."
Pi Kappa Phi was named the top Pi Kappa Phi chapter in its class in 2009 and undoubtedly will be a contender when its presented next in August 2010.
Older alumni are also cognizant of the chapter's recognition.
"It is remarkable to hear the news of such an award again for the chapter," Brad Eckerle, chapter president in 2001. Hats off to the brothers and officers for sustaining the elite status and maintaining a successful chapter.
Purdue Greek community honors chapter president
Commitment, energy and academic prowess are characteristics that led Dan Cronin to being named the 2010 Steven C. Beering Fraternity President of the Year.
Cronin, a senior in civil engineering from West Chicago, IL, was given the award at the Greek Gala event on April 16, 2010. Pi Kappa Phi won the RB Stewart Award, signifying it as Purdue's top fraternity, at the same event.
In the nomination form, vice president Mike Lolkus lauded Cronin for holding five different executive council offices during his fraternity career, including “new member educator, chaplain, secretary and president (twice).
"He has been a mentor to nearly 20 men as officers in the chapter and more than 100 active members on campus," Lolkus wrote. “Dan has done an exceptional job of leading by example in his daily involvement in the chapter and on campus.”
Cronin has been a consistent mentor for younger guys and has encouraged other officers to achieve high standards.
"What I admire about his leadership style is his ability to set high standards and allow others to achieve them," said Pat Kuhnle, chapter advisor. "He's a low-key guy who holds everyone around him to high standards and makes them believe they can accomplish anything."
Cases in point include back-to-back-to-back best chapter awards and more than 50 new members in one school year. He does this while volunteering his time with our Lafayette Jefferson High School special needs class and maintaining a cumulative 3.76 GPA in engineering.
Cronin's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by those who first encountered him in the chapter.
"I have a tremendous sense of pride," said James Loy, his pledge pop during his induction period. "Dan is a person who never gives up regardless of obstacles in his way.
"It's amazing to see how far he has come since he was a freshman. I cannot think of anyone who deserves this more than he does."
Loy, now an engineering graduate student, has been able to watch both Cronin's and the chapter’s progress since completing his undergraduate degree in 2008.
"It's amazing to see the change in an individual as he grows within the chapter," Loy said. "Dan has really taken advantage of the leadership opportunities available in the house and used them to better himself and the chapter."
Phil Sharon, chapter president when Cronin entered Pi Kappa Phi, also is very proud of his hometown. “As someone who was around when Dan joined Pi Kappa Phi, I can say he struck us right away as a natural leader and someone we knew would strengthen our fraternity immediately,” Sharon said. "He leads by example, has an excellent work ethic and is someone we knew would continue to steer the chapter in the right direction.” Sharon, now a financial consultant in Oak Brook, IL, helped recruit Cronin. He expected great things from Cronin.
"In the most complementary way possible, this is no surprise," Sharon said. "For as long as I have known Dan, he continues to take his obligations seriously, work toward what is right and is not afraid of continually raising the bar."
For his part, Cronin is humbled with the recognition.
"It's a great honor to be named the President of the Year," he said. "I was blessed with an extremely effective executive council that helped move the chapter in a positive direction. The award has reinforced my approach to leadership and am extremely grateful for the opportunities we've been presented as a chapter."
Of all the chapter's accomplishments that earned its third consecutive best fraternity award, one that stands out is the support brothers offered to David Feltner who faces his third cancer challenge in four years.
"It's hard to narrow down the accomplishments from the year," Cronin said. "We had two impressive recruiting classes, we won the RB Stewart Award twice in a year, we had a great Founders Day and we were able to serve those with disabilities on a local basis.
"However, the biggest accomplishment was being able to provide brother Feltner the support and solidarity he needed while batting cancer. If a fraternity cannot unite for one of its own in his hour if need, then it would go against why we were founded. I think brothers experienced the true meaning of Pi Kappa Phi through an emotional show of support for one of their own. It will be something that I will never forget."
Pi Kappa Phi Mom's Day 2010: A Success
It was a mixture of fun, seriousness and celebrating accomplishments that highlighted the April 17, 2010 Moms Day/Pi Kapp 100 arrival.
Complete with one member wearing angel wings, 19 Pi Kapp 100 team members arrived in a sun-draped, chilly day greeted by a crowd of early 150 fraternity brothers, moms and guests. The event raised more than $3,000 for Push America, the fraternity’s national outreach project helping those with disabilities across the country.
The weekend events started with the riders being hosted Friday night by brother Chad James parents in Zionsville. After a night’s rest at the Zionsville Boys and Girls Club, riders and crew rode the 100 kilometers to campus arriving shortly after 1 p.m. They were greeted at the departure by parents and Pi Kapp 100 riding alumnus, Adam Poor.
Prior to the team’s arrival at Purdue, other brothers gathered with their families for a buffet luncheon of Asian chicken, Cavatina, asparagus, corn O’Brien along with five salads and three dessert choices.
After a team photo on the fraternity lawn early on Saturday afternoon, all gathered in the Great Hall to hear from chapter historian Nick Prichodko, president Dan Cronin, advisor Pat Kuhnle, regional governor Tom Harzula and academic advisor Rita Baker. Parents were given some free time with their sons before they gathered again later in the evening for a reception with appetizers.
The annual auction of items brought by parents ensued. Items included a lighted beer sign, an etched stone with the fraternity crest, two hand-painted collogues of Purdue and fraternity scenes, beach-themed baskets, a Smoothie maker and fraternity sportswear to name a few. Even a napkin with a promise of a 20-minute call home was auctioned off during the two and one-half hour, laughter-filled event.
The auction raised $800 toward Push America and another $5,000 toward a chapter improvement fund.
For those brave enough to endure the whole day and have energy left in the evening, Pi Kappa Phi parents joined Phi Mu sorority members and their parents for a social event lasting late into the night.
“We all had a great time and although I need a rest now, I look forward to next year,” Linda Lombardi wrote in an email thank you. She has two sons in the chapter – senior Nick and freshman Jason.
“It was my first and last year of having two boys together for Mom’s Weekend, so it was very special.”
DGs Win 2010 'War of Roses' Competition
Delta Gamma captured the third annual War of Roses competition title on April 8 and Katie Bennett was named the 2010 Rose Queen of Pi Kappa Phi.
The April 8 talent competition ended a week-long at various locations on campus. The events included empathy training where participants emulated various disabilities at formal dinners. There was also a penny wars competition won by Alpha Chi Omega to raise funds for Push America, the Pi Kappa Phi national philanthropy.
Click here to read the entire article.
Brother Feltner and His Fight
Omega (Purdue) undergraduate David Feltner had one request after dropping the bombshell news at a late February chapter meeting that he was faced with fighting cancer for the third time in four years – that his fraternity brothers shave his head.
The brothers took a moment to regain their composure after learning Feltner had a tumor behind his right eye, but they honored his request. While doing so, a consensus began to build to stand in solidarity with Feltner.
To hear about the full story, click here.
To hear about Brother Feltner in the Exponent click here.
Sports commentator addresses fraternity members
A sports commentator implored college students to find mentors and learn from them at a recent speech sponsored by the fraternity. ESPN analyst and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin spoke to a crowd of more than 100 people, with the majority of them being Pi Kapps, for nearly an hour on Feb. 20, shortly before he broadcasted the Illinois at Purdue game.
In his comments, the 45-year-old Lavin said he started developing mentors while a college basketball player at a small school in California. "You are at a stage right now when I was at Chapman University writing letters to the people in a career that you have great interest in," he said. For more information click here.
For more coverage on Steve Lavin and his appearance in the Exponent, follow the link below.
Long time coming, but chapter initiates pledge from 18 years ago
As part of its Founders Day celebration in December 2009, Pi Kappa Phi helped an associate member from 18 years ago to find completion. Eric Strohacker (Omega 1776), a nine-year veteran of the Indianapolis Fire Department, became an Omega chapter initiate at Purdue. Unbeknownst to him, alumni of his era have been working for nearly five months to get Strohacker initiated.
For more information about his story, click here.
School Board Praises Fraternity Efforts
Pi Kappa Phi’s community outreach was recognized, both by local media and school board officials on Nov. 9 in Lafayette.Chapter members gathered to present a check for $1,863 to the Lafayette School Board. The donation represented the local grant portion of its $7,452 Push America fund raising in 2008-09. The money will support programming in a special needs class at Jefferson High School.
More information can be found here.Purdue's Best - Back to Back
Pi Kappa Phi has been recognized as the top fraternity at Purdue for the second year in a row. On Oct. 20, 2009, the chapter received the 2009 R.B. Stewart of Excellence signifying it as the best of Purdue's 41 chapters.
It won the same award in 2009. "It's a great honor to receive the R.B. Stewart Award for two consecutive years," archon Dan Cronin said. "A lot of time and effort go into our programming and daily operations and it's great to be recognized with this award."Earning the award for the second year shows our commitment to excellence is paying off."
More information on the awards can be found here.
Nation's Best - '08-09
The Purdue Pi Kappa Phi chapter was recognized as the best of its class on July 25 at the leadership conference in the city of our national fraternity's founding, Charleston, SC. The chapter won the 2009 Kroeg Award, signifying it as the best of Pi Kappa Phi with 18 or more chapters. Overall the chapter, the chapter won a total of 14 awards, of which can be found in more detail here.
On behalf of the Omega Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our official website. Founded on Nov. 24, 1922, the Omega Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi boasts one of the best locations on Purdue's campus. Located directly across from Grissom Hall, it is incredibly short walk to nearly all resources on campus. We are men of CLASS. Each of Pi Kappa Phi's 159 chapters nationwide is founded on the same ideals: Character, Leadership, Academics, Service, and Sportsmanship.
We pride ourselves on the balance that we can create in the chapter. This site exists to give you greater access to any information you need about our brotherhood, house, philanthropies, history, and more. Please take some time to navigate the site using the links to the left and feel free to contact us with any questions that may arise
Sincerely,
Mike Lolkus,
Archon
