National History
On a quiet December evening in 1904 in Charleston, S.C., three friends-Andrew Kroeg, Simon Fogarty, and Harry Mixson- made a choice to lead. Those three men chose to start their own fraternity. The three grew to seven; seven grew to eight; eight grew to 11. From the College of Charleston, they spread to nearby Presbyterian in 1907 – and then to California in 1909. In just over four years, Pi Kappa Phi had become a truly national fraternity. Over the course of a century, a fraternity with humble beginnings has grown into a brotherhood of more than 100,000 strong – all because three men made a choice to lead.
The Non-Fraternity
Our founding was certainly not without setbacks. In fact, Pi Kappa Phi was originally founded as Nu Phi, which stood for “non-fraternity.” Our founders, disillusioned with campus politics being run exclusively by fraternities, created Nu Phi as a means to attain leadership roles within the Chrestomathic Literary Society. However, the attempt to seize control of the society was thwarted when some of the Nu Phis proved to be disloyal. the loyal Nu Phis regrouped, and on the evening of Dec. 10, 1904, the seven remaining men created a new group- to be known as Pi Kappa Phi.
To this day, Pi Kappa Phi embraces its Nu Phi heritage. It manifests itself in various ways and emboldens us as Pi Kappa Phis to confront issues with fresh, new approaches.
Omega History
The great tradition that is the Omega Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity began on Nov. 24, 1922. Since that time, it has become one of the leading chapters in the country and has risen to a position of distinction on campus. We have initiated more than 2,000 members over the years; each of whom has contributed greatly to our rich history and heritage.
The Birth of Omega
Alpha Beta Gamma, a Christian brotherhood, was a local fraternity initiated into Pi Kappa Phi on Nov. 24, 1922. The installation team was from the Upsilon Chapter from the University of Illinois and included Supreme Secretary George Grant, Omicron (University of Alabama), and Supreme Alumni Secretary George D. Driver, Nu (University of Nebraska). Wade S.
Bolt, Sigma (University of North Carolina), who spearheaded the nationalization of Alpha Beta Gamma, was also there. Thirty-seven men were initiate as charter members of Pi Kappa Phi’s 24th chapter. Omega’s first archon was Mifred W. House (Ω15), and William R. Amick (whose initiation card is pictured above) became Ω1.
Moving around
The brotherhood lived in a few different houses since chartering. Past addresses include 206 N. 6th Street in Lafayette, 128 Wiggins St., 40 N. Salisbury St. and 102 Russell St. In 1929, our current house was built at 330 N. Grant St. We have remained there ever since then with two exceptions. During WWII the house was occupied by a detachment of the Marine ROTC while brothers boarded at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house. We also lived in apartments for one school year following a fire at the house on June 11, 1987.
Modern Omega
Following a generous donation by alumni, the chapter house was rebuilt on the same lot as the old chapter house at 330 North Grant St.. Since then, Omega chapter has become a pride on Purdue’s campus, winning multiple awards on both the National and Campus level, and actively participating in the national philanthropy, The Ability Experience. The chapter continues to grow and influence campus. Omega was one of the first chapters to do a 72-hour bike-a-thon, naming it memory of the late undergraduate member David Feltner who died in 2011. Omega also became the third chapter nationally to initiate 2,000 members in 2015.
Initiates
Since 1922, the Omega chapter has initiated 2,272 men, most recently Chris Molina, an alumnus initiate during our Oct. 29, 2022 Centennial Celebration. Only three other Pi Kappa Phi chapters nationally (out of 150+) have initiated that many men in an individual chapter.
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