Prospective new members learned about what makes Pi Kappa Phi unique at Purdue – it’s servant leadership attitude, which focuses on serving others.
Nearly 40 men who are going through the fraternity recruitment period visited the chapter on Jan. 17, to learn more about the chapter’s philanthropic efforts, particularly though the Ability Experience (www.abilityexperience.org), the national fraternity’s outreach efforts to benefit people with disabilities.
Through extensive, year-round programming chapter members serve others through events and fund raising. In 2018, the local Pi Kappa Phi chapter raised $17,434 for the Ability Experience. In each of the last nine years, the chapter has raised more than $10,000 for the cause.
Since starting a local fundraising in 1980, the chapter has raised $252,115.
Throughout the school year the chapter that prides itself in being the top philanthropic fraternity at Purdue, has various programming including:
• David Feltner 72-Hour Memorial Bike a Thon, each fall leading up to homecoming
• Arctoberfest, a Halloween-based costume party held alongside Best Buddies-Purdue and the Arc of Tippecanoe
• Lafayette Jefferson High School special needs class volunteering throughout the school year
• Second Chance Prom, a formal for people with special needs who never got to participate in a high school prom, held alongside Best Buddies-Purdue each spring
• War of Roses, a week or more of sorority competition serving people with disabilities highlighted by a talent show in Loeb Playhouse each spring
• Pi Kapp 100, a 100-kilometer cycling trip from Zionsville to the Purdue campus each spring’s Moms Day raising money and awareness
The local chapter also has sent numerous representatives to national cycling events including:
• Gear Up Florida, held each may from Miami to Tallahassee as 9 chapter members have participated
• Journey of Hope, held from June to August each year where up to 100 cyclists ride on one of three teams from various locations on the west coast to Washington, DC, 76 chapter members have participated
Fraternity members also participate in various other Greek philanthropic effort throughout the year. Furthermore, they are heavily involved in the Purdue University Dance Marathon, Big Man on Campus and Old Masters to name a few such organizations.
The spring 2019 recruitment period will finish on Jan. 24. For more information about the recruitment process, contact Jack Russell, spring recruitment chairman, [email protected] or [email protected], 501/940-3612.