HISTORY
History of Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha 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. The Fraternity's ideals are expressed in the written words and symbols of a secret ritual. These ideals and members' ability to maintain the visions of the Fraternity's founders are the great moral legacy of Pi Kappa Alpha.
Pi Kappa Alpha was founded at the University of Virginia on March 1, 1868. At the time, the University of Virginia was the fifth largest school in the United States. Only Harvard, Yale, Cornell and Michigan were bigger. The University of Virginia is considered the first truly American state university because it was the first to be established totally free from religious control.It all started in Room 47 West Range when Frederick Southgate Taylor turned to Littleton Waller Tazewell, his cousin and roommate, for help in starting a new fraternity. Also present was James Benjamin Sclater, Jr., a schoolmate of Tazewell, and Sclater's roommate Robertson Howard. Those four men voted to add a fifth to their group and chose Julian Edward Wood. Although history is unclear, William Alexander, probably a friend of Sclater, Jr., was proposed for membership and was admitted as a founder. The first initiate was Augustus Washington Knox.
The essence of the Founders' vision for Pi Kappa Alpha can be found in its Preamble. A committee was first suggested by Brother William Alexander "to draw up a statement of the origin and the organization of the Fraternity." The committee was composed of brothers Robertson Howard and Littleton Waller Tazewell. The resulting statement is now referred to as the 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."
• Frederick Southgate Taylor
• James Benjamin Sclater
• Julian Edward Wood
• Littleton Waller Tazewell
• Robertson Howard
• William Alexander
The years after the Civil War found a proliferation of American college fraternities being organized, particularly in the South. Pi Kappa Alpha's founding in 1868 was soon followed by the founding of Kappa Sigma and Sigma Nu. These fraternities, along with Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, and Sigma Phi Epsilon, are known as the "Virginia Circle".
Before the end of Spring 1868, the brothers had decided that they wanted more than a Virginia society. They wanted to become a national fraternity. The following 21 years would prove to be some of the most troublesome times, nearly shattering the dreams of these young men. With universities making it nearly impossible for fraternities to exist by placing bans on the presence of secret societies, the Fraternity was still able to expand. The second chapter, Beta (Davidson College), had even voted to disband saying in a letter to the president of the college, "we have disbanded our chapter and we do not intend to carry it on unless we can do it openly and above board, as we regard its ties too sacred for other procedure."
Nearly two years later, the third chapter, Gamma (William & Mary), was established. During the years that followed until 1889, there would be a total of ten charters granted; however, only five remained active. This was the year of a most important convention. The Hampden-Sydney Convention brought the likes of Theron Hall Rice, a transfer to Virginia from Southwestern, who represented Alpha; Howard Bell Arbuckle, a recent graduate and then a teaching fellow at Hampden-Sydney, who represented Iota; and John Shaw Foster, a delegate from Theta Chapter at Southwestern (now Rhodes College). Lambda at the Citadel was to have been represented by Robert Adger Smythe, but a telegram from Charleston explained, "no holiday given us. Impossible to come. Act for us in everything." This convention is of major importance, as it is considered the rebirth of the Fraternity. Together, Theron Rice, Howard Arbuckle, Robert Smythe, and John Foster came to be known as the Junior Founders.
Another pivotal event in the Fraternity's history is the 1933 Troutdale Convention. At this meeting, the national organization was restructured. Former national officer titles were replaced with simple ones, the number of national officers was increased, and the Fraternity established the executive secretary (later executive director, now executive vice president) as a paid professional administrator. The year marked the end of direct regular service by two junior founders, Arbuckle and Smythe. The period of the Junior Founders had passed and Pi Kappa Alpha looked forward to a new generation of leaders.The Theta Omega Chapter was founded in 1984. It has thrived ever since as the premier Fraternity on the UC Davis Campus. In addition to recruiting the finest new members, Pike at UC Davis unyieldingly upholds the ideals put forth by the Fraternity founders nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. Through these values, we continue to maintain the reputation of one of the top Fraternities on campus, but also help lead our members on the road to a more successful life.
Values
The continued achievements of the Theta Omega Chapter are the direct result of the values we hold amongst our men. The slogan representing Pike's values is S.L.A.G. - Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen. It is these qualities that we both seek in new members and continue to instill in our current brothers throughout their time at UC Davis and beyond.
Scholars
The Theta Omega Chapter holds it's academic prowess as our number one priority. It is the understanding of the chapter that it's members are, and should be dedicated to excelling in their studies, not simply get by. The Chapter has thus invested every resource it can to ensure that every member is achieving their full academic potential. The continued development and education of our members drives the development of our leaders. Last year the Theta Omega Chapter maintained the Highest Fraternity GPA on campus, and has traditionally been maintained one of the top GPA’s as a house at UC Davis. Year in and year out, the Chapter exceeds both the UC Davis All-Men and All-Fraternal GPA.
Leaders
The Theta Omega Chapter is a gateway for the leaders of today. We have developed CEO's, Venture Capitalists, Doctors, Commercial Real Estate Brokers, Professional Athletes, Engineers, and much more...
It is the leadership you develop as a member of the Theta Omega Chapter, which will guarantee your success in whatever road you choose in life.
The lessons learned as a member of Theta Omega are invaluable for your life after college. We continue to search for men who desire to be leaders in their community.
Athletes
Theta Omega values success in our athletic ventures. We continually produce championship intramural teams in a wide variety of sports including indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, innertube water polo, and softball. When you go against Pike, you go against the best. Theta Omega and its members hold a very competitive spirit in everything they do. We recently graduated the captain of the rugby team, captain of the tennis team, and captain of the water polo team. In addition we currently support baseball players, football players, soccer players, volleyball players, and several other Division I athletes.
Gentlemen
The Men of the Theta Omega Chapter are most importantly Gentlemen. We conduct ourselves in a distinguished manner at all times. It is this value, which makes us the favorite Fraternity amongst sororities on the UC Davis campus. We treat our women with respect at all times, and thus, in turn, enjoy a very extesive social calendars with the Soroities of UC Davis.
Awards
* 2008 Most improved Chapter finalists
* 2007 20/20 Recruitment Recognition Award
* 2006 Theta Xi Paintball Tournament Champions
* 2006 A Soccer Champions
* 2006 AA Volleyball Champions
* 2006 Flag Football IM Champions
* 2005 Mr. Greek, John Dale
* 2004/2005 Greek Week Champions (2005 was decided)
* 2003 Greek Man of the Year, Daniel Helmhold
* 2002 IFC President, Daniel Helmhold
* 2000 Tri-Delt Big Bats Champions
* 1997 IFC Community Service Award
* 1996 IFC Indoor Basketball Champions
* 1995 Chapter Sport Achievement
* 1993 IFC Volleyball Champions
* 1993 2nd Place Picnic Day Float
* 1992 Chapter Excellence Award
* 1992 Community Service Award
* 1992 Robert Adger Smyth National Chapter Excellence Award
* 1991 Campus Involvement Award
* 1991 Community Service Award
* 1990 IFC Volleyball Champions
* 1988 IFC Punt, Pass and Kick Champions
* 1987 Robert Adger Smyth National Chapter Excellence Award
* 1986 Pi Kappa Alpha Outstanding Chapter Award
Our Goal: Achievement With Integrity
The True Pike
As a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, I have pledged myself to uphold the values taught in our Ritual and restated in our Vision, Mission, and Creed. The True Pike is committed to a life of caring for others as he cares for himself. In pursuit of that ideal, I reaffirm my pledge...
…To Myself
* to practice academic integrity and strive for academic achievement
* to meet all of my financial obligations on time
* to preserve a sound mind and body, rejecting abuse of alcohol or drugs
* to pursue my career goals zealously, but with integrity
* to promote brotherly love and kind feeling, nurturing my friendships
* to dedicate myself to my family, my faith, and pursuit of the truth.
…To My Brothers
* to challenge all brothers to uphold this code and hold accountable those who do not
* to respect the dignity of all; not to tolerate physical or mental abuse of any human being
* to seek and fulfill leadership roles and participate energetically in Fraternity activities
* to encourage my chapter to establish and enforce rigorous academic standards
* to urge my chapter not to tolerate abuse of alcohol or drugs
* to actively recruit new members who I believe will uphold the Fraternity’s values
* to participate enthusiastically in an education program to inculcate our values
… To My Fraternity
* to ensure that my conduct at all events and activities reflects Pi Kappa Alpha in a positive light
* to reach out to brothers beyond my own chapter; and welcome those who reach out to me
* to participate actively in Fraternity sponsored educational and leadership conferences
* to volunteer my time as an alumnus to an area chapter or alumni association or to the Fraternity
* to provide financial support for the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation
* to respect the Fraternity’s property and symbols
* to leave the Fraternity and my chapter better than they were when I arrived
…To My Community
* to protect the health and safety of others
* to participate in campus activities, and stay involved with my alma mater beyond my graduation
* to foster good relationships with the University faculty and administration
* to serve my community through participation in civic organizations and events
Only by so doing, can I fulfill my commitment to Pi Kappa Alpha and be worthy to count myself a True Pike.