Service and leadership are two cornerstones of Pi Kappa Phi’s success at Purdue. And the national fraternity recognized such as it honored the chapter for its commitment and leadership in assisting people with disabilities from 2023.
At the January 2024 Pi Kapp College for Emerging Leaders, the Omega received the Star of Hope, recognizing it as the top chapter nationally in Ability Experience programming and fund-raising. Members raised $25,357 in 2023, setting an all-time chapter record.
Members conducting fund-raising efforts with the David Felter 72-hour Memorial Bike-a-Thom, Pie a Pi Kapp, Pi Kapp 100 and War of Roses. It also hosted non-fund-raising events such as Arctoberfest, Barn Dance alongside the Arc of Tippecanoe and regular volunteer visits with a local non-profit serving adults with disabilities.
It was the third time the Omega chapter was named the top Ability Experience in the nation. The last one was in 2013.
“Winning the Star of Hope Award is a huge achievement for the chapter,” 2023 chapter Ability Experience Chairman Reid said. “I’m proud to be part of a chapter that cares about something larger than itself and its members.”
The chapter’s achievements along with his personal commitment to service earned Reid the Pi Kappa Phi Ability Experience Chairman of the year.
“I could not have done it without the support of the executive board and the general chapter,” he said. “The Ability Experience is an organization that means a lot to me, so being honored makes that even more special.”
It was the second year in the row that a chapter member from Purdue has been so honored.