Pi Kappa Phi, arguably the most awarded fraternity in Purdue history, will have several Zoom prospective new member events in late January/early February.
The 150+ man chapter located at 330 N. Grant St., West Lafayette, has won the RB Stewart Award 10 times in the last 13 years including the last three times in a row. The award recognizes a chapter annually as the top fraternity at Purdue.
The first of three scheduled Zoom new member recruitment events will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 26 featuring the chapter’s commitment to The Ability Experience, the national outreach program of Pi Kappa Phi serving people with disabilities. During that Zoom call, in students interested in the spring recruitment period will hear about what makes the chapter unique at Purdue.
The chapter’s commitment to service is unmatched among Purdue fraternities. For example, on an annual basis the chapter coordinates and hosts the 72-Hour David Feltner Memorial Bike-a-Thon, Arctoberfest, a Second Chance Prom, the War of Roses and the Pi Kapp 100/Moms Day. Each of those events raises money and awareness of people with disabilities through The Ability Experience or the Arc of Tippecanoe. Furthermore, chapter members volunteer in special needs classes at a local high school, too.
During the Jan. 26 Ability Experience recruitment event, chapter members will talk about their experiences in the various programs listed above. Some will also talk about the national Journey of Hope or Gear Up Florida cycling events held each summer.
The next Zoom meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 28, when the World of Pi Kappa Phi will be available. There participants can learn about the everyday lives of the chapter members though a virtual room-to-room visit. Each room will have a theme explaining various aspects of the chapter.
Then on Feb. 2, there will be an informational session organized to assist those undecided on whether to accept a bid at Pi Kappa Phi or one of the other 41 fraternities at Purdue. Those still interested in possibly joining Pi Kappa Phi this semester are welcome to participate, too.
Links to the Zoom calls will be provided via text and/or email to prospective members.
Those interested in Pi Kappa Phi should make contact with either of the two recruitment (aka rush) chairmen, Vince Giglio, vrgiglio@comcast.net, 630/750-6213 and Calvin Whetstone, whetstoc@purdue.edu, 317/694-6866. Once you register with them or through an online form, you will be contacted with Zoom link information.
Pi Kappa Phi emphasizes Academic Success, Service and Leadership as its primary core values. Preference is given to those who were valedictorians or salutations of their high school class, those who have earned higher than a 2.7 GPA at Purdue, high school leaders (class officers, captains of athletic teams or student council members) and those committed to service (through church or civic groups with special considering with those who have experience assisting people with disabilities).
Phi Kappa Phi is a special organization and it’s very competitive to earn a bid. If you think you meet the Pi Kapp challenge, contact one of our recruitment chairmen.