Pi Kappa Alpha? history is rich in tradition. Founded in 1868 by six men
at the University of Virginia, Pi Kappa Alpha was among the United States
first social college fraternities. Over the years, the Fraternity has grown
to over 200 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, boasting over
215,000 initiated members. The shared experience of Pike membership still allows
individuals to make the most of their college experience. Pi Kappa Alpha? long
history and distinguished membership, are testaments to the Fraternity? exclusive
and consistent superiority in fraternal programming, scholarship, membership and leadership.
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Fraternity.
The Fraternity? values are expressed in the written words and symbols of the secret ritual.
These ideals and members ability to maintain the visions of the Fraternity? founders are
the great moral legacy of Pi Kappa Alpha. The Fraternity recently developed a public declaration
of the secret ritual in the form of the Vision, Mission and Creed. This declaration was then
transformed into a relevant and tangible set of standards that every member strives to include
in his daily actions called the True Pike.
Locally, our chapter has ranged from 10 members up to the current count of over 40 members.
Nationally, Pi Kappa Alpha has grown to over 200 chapters and colonies that spread coast to coast
throughout the United States and Canada
and an undergraduate membership of over 13,000 members. Since the Fraternity? founding in 1868
nearly 230,000 men have been initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha. For a full list of Pi Kappa Alpha Chapters
and Alumni Associations
click here.
One of the biggest adjustments a new collegiate has to make is getting used to the time management
and personal accountability required to be successful academically. Academics are emphasized from
day one at Pi Kappa Alpha. Study hours, tutoring and brother mentoring are all present in the activities
of the new member education program.
A commitment to scholastic excellence carries on well beyond
initiation. With our current bylaws for our scholarship program, new members and actives alike are
required to log at least 4 hours of study time in the library per week at their convenience. In addition,
members are required to attend 3 study tables per month. These study tables are open three times per week
for 4 hours each. An active member can fulfill one study table requirement by coming and spending a minimum of two
hours studying. Members are not required to sit at a specific table, as we realize that individual study habits vary.
Instead we require that members sign in on arrival and out upon leaving. We also have an extensive remedial
program for brothers who fall below our minimum semester and cumulative GPA.
In addition, with the number of
members our chapter has, brothers in the same major can offer advice on the best path to graduation.
Furthermore, studies show that Fraternity membership increases retention by 28% and that 70% of greek members graduate
compared to only 50% of non-greek students. We are proud to boast that one is more likely to receive a higher
GPA by joining our fraternity than by just living in the dorms.
Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity is a Greek letter, secret, college, social
fraternity. It is composed of men who share similar ideals of friendship, truth, honor
and loyalty. Pi Kappa Alpha was founded at the University of Virginia on March 1, 1868
in Room 47 West Range.
The Founders of Pi Kappa Alpha are
Frederick Southgate Taylor,
James Benjamin Sclater,
Julian Edward Wood,
Littleton Waller Tazewell,
Robertson Howard and
William Alexander.
The essence of the Founder? vision for Pi Kappa Alpha can be found in its Preamble.
For the establishment of friendship on a firmer and more lasting basis;
for the promotion of brotherly love and kind feeling;
for the mutual benefit and advancement of the interests of those with whom
we sympathize and deem worthy of our regard;
We have resolved to form a Fraternity, believing that,
thus we can most successfully accomplish our object.
For information about the history of Pi Kappa Alpha please
click here.
Pi Kappa Alpha recognizes the danger hazing poses for individuals and the detrimental effect
hazing inherently has on organizations. There is nothing gained or learned from hazing.
We don't see the benefit of such practices when we are trying to develop men of character
and high ideals, hazing would be counterproductive. Pi Kappa Alpha has developed
a new member education program completely void of hazing and requires that each chapter reads
and distributes the Chapter Statement on Position on Hazing to each new member. The Fraternity
mandates an eight week new member education program that educates new members on their fraternal
responsibilities as active members and prepares each man with the tools to immediately contribute
to the success of the chapter.
For our chapter we offer many different opportunities and educational programs. For instance we
hold biannual etiquette dinners to instruct our members on proper manners, choosing the proper
wine for a particular meal along with basic dinner etiquette. Also we regularly have a local owner
of a men's clothing store come in to discuss the means of identifying a quality suit, ties and formal wear.
On a national level, our fraternity holds Pike University which is dedicated to providing members of Pi Kappa
Alpha with superior events and
programming focused on personal development and leadership training. Events sponsored by Pike
University address the educational needs of all of our members, from pledges and new members
to chapter officers to our dedicated alumnus volunteers. Launched in August 2003 Pike University
has impacted the lives of nearly 10,000 undergraduates since its inception. For more information
on Pike University please
click here.
There are over 129,000 living Pi Kappa Alpha alumni. While membership in the Fraternity cannot guarantee
a member a job after graduation, a network of such magnitude will definitely open some doors along the
way. On top of the alumni network, members of Pi Kappa Alpha also receive
valuable life lessons and leadership training through their experiences within the Fraternity. There are
numerous leadership roles available in the chapter as well as activities including, community service
projects, philanthropies and social events that will help your son develop the necessary leadership and
social skills to be successful after graduation.
Pi Kappa Alpha chapters charge membership dues in order to provide the most well rounded college
experience possible for their members. Dues are not just money thrown away, our chapter dues
go towards such programs as our membership development seminars as mentioned earlier, brotherhood
events such as movies, barbeques, formals, scholarship awards etc. Dues vary by chapter, however a recent study of the
Fraternity? chief competitors revealed that Pi Kappa Alpha ranks as the 2nd most affordable
amongst the top ten fraternities in total four year cost per member. Payment plans are offered
by most chapters and encouraged by Pi Kappa Alpha so that not all the money is required up front.
We encourage all of our parents to be as involved as possible and ask a lot of questions.
This will likely be a growing experience for you and your son. There is a lot of information
available on this website and our international website as well. In addition to those
resources, members of Pi Kappa Alpha are more than happy to answer any
other questions or concerns that you might have. If you would like to speak to someone a bit older, our chapter
adviser Andy Buelow or our faculty adviser Connie Hansen would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
To get in contact with one of our members or our advisers please visit the
contact page.
