Chapter members focused on five key areas in a recruitment event on Wednesday as it nears the end of the first week of new member recruitment.
Potential new members went into five rooms in the Pi Kappa Phi house at 330 N. Grant St. to learn details about various aspects of the chapter. Those five areas included: Academics, philanthropy, intramurals, social and campus involvement.
For example, the academic room focused on how the chapter finished No. 2 and No. 5 in average GPA among Purdue’s 40 fraternities. Furthermore, they learned what academic achievement resources were available to them should they become associate members including our own academic advisor.
Potential new members also learned about the chapter’s leadership in serving people with disabilities through The Ability Experience, too. It has consistently been the top philanthropic fund-raising fraternity at Purdue and within all of Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity.
From 6 to 8 pm., Monday, Aug. 27, the chapter will host a new member recruitment event that will focus specifically on chapter philanthropic efforts. A roundtable discussion will focus on the various fund-raising and service events including:
- David Feltner Memorial Bike a Thon
Established in 2011, the chapter members ride up to three stationary bikes for 72 straight hours leading up to, and concluding after, the annual homecoming football game. Riders commit to $10 per hour of cycling time and oftentimes includes chapter alumni and sorority members. The event is held in memory of Feltner, who died while a chapter member in 2011. Feltner was heavily involved in all facets of the chapter’s Ability Experience programming while a Purdue student. His parents continue to ride the final five minutes of the event each year. - Arctoberfest
Established in 2011, the chapter hosts a Halloween-themed costume party for clients of the Arc of Tippecanoe, a local chapter of a national organization serving adults with disabilities. Fraternity members team up with Best Buddies, a student organization, to interact with the largest outing of Arc clients of the year. The event includes carnival games, food and dancing for more than two hours. Arc clients compete for awards including scariest, most creative and funniest costumes. - Second Chance Prom
Established in 2015, the fraternity teams up with a Purdue student group to offer a Second Chance Prom for people with disabilities. Clients of the Arc of Tippecanoe ask each other to the event and the two sponsoring groups plan the event. The springtime prom includes games and dancing. - War of Roses
Established in 2007, each spring the chapter engages members of the Greek community in a one- or two-week experience that includes empathy training, a single-elimination flag football tournament, sheet-sign competition, sorority fund-raising as well as a talent show. The primary contestant from each participating sorority also visits Omega’s outreach in the special needs classroom. The winner appears on the chapter’s composite the following year as Rose Queen. The capstone talent show is held in an on-campus theatre and draws nearly 600 people. - Pi Kapp 100
Established in 1999, chapter members, alumni and guests cycle 100 kilometers from Zionsville to the Purdue campus. Similar to national Ability Experience events, riders and crew commit to fund-raising goals to participate. The riders arrive at the fraternity house on Moms Day each April. Over the years, chapter alumni and members from other Pi Kappa Phi chapters nationally have participated (other chapter participants have been in the area for Journey of Hope training). In 2016 and 2017, a mom of a chapter member rode, too. - Lafayette Jefferson High School Special Needs Classroom Volunteering
Established in 2008, chapter members volunteer each school day in special needs classes at Lafayette Jefferson High School. Guys assist the teachers in engaging students with cognitive and physical disabilities. Fraternity members help the students with life skills, socialization and field trips. - Other Events
Pi Kapps participate in countless other Greek organization philanthropies, too. The two largest include Zeta Tau Alpha’s BMOC (Big Man on Campus) and PUDM (Purdue University Dance Marathon).
If you are interested in being considered as a new member at Pi Kappa Phi, time is of essence. Upcoming recruitment events are 6 to 8 p.m., on Aug. 23, 27, 29 and Sept. 4. Questions? Contact recruitment chairman Davis Hensley at [email protected], or call/text him at 317/735-5478.
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