XI LITES
MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP AT XI
Do you remember your bid day experience and the opportunity soon after to select a big brother? Our Fraternity and other successful fraternities create and promote opportunities for leadership and have a tradition of mentoring the next generation of members. If there is no consistent effort to share knowledge and experience with incoming members our success can falter.
When I was an undergraduate brother my first opportunity for leadership came as historian. During my era at the Xi Chapter, we enjoyed the presence and contributions of many alumni brothers. I enjoyed engaging and learning from alumni brothers and because I stayed in the Roanoke area in the summers, I was able to spend extra time with my big brother and other older alumni who contributed mightily to my personal growth and development.
What does it take to be an effective and valued mentor?
How can we present more opportunities for our undergraduate brothers to enhance their fraternity experience? Mentor can be a noun, “a wise and faithful advisor or teacher,” or a verb, “a tutor – a volunteer who mentors students.” As alumni in this age of multiple communication avenues, we can easily make ourselves available to offer mentoring to undergraduate brothers. Through this process, we may find that we benefit as well. Remember, the best mentorships help both people grow.
Last year, we sent out our Xi Chapter survey. We have received more than 80 responses, but we have a long way to go. Please consider completing this survey Using this information, we can find possible matches for alumni Big Brothers to our undergraduate officers and also match those with similar interests and backgrounds to the membership in general.
When you complete your Xi survey, please indicate your willingness to mentor an undergraduate brother. A regular email, call or text of encouragement can help expand their network and build new relationships within our organization. Let’s work together to build a culture of mentoring and offer an opportunity for our brothers as an additional resource as they transition from college to their life’s work.
Yours in Pi Kappa Phi, Mark Edgell 78
“National Mentoring Month in January is an opportunity to highlight the critical role that mentors play in the lives of youth and the extent to which young people have access to mentors in America. Unfortunately, new data indicate that decades of mentoring progress may be eroding at a time when youth mental health needs are soaring.”
- from the Annie E Casey Foundation January is National Mentoring Month
XI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2025 VOLUNTARY DUES
We encourage all alumni to consider paying voluntary dues in the amount of $50, $75, $100 or higher to the Xi Alumni Chapter.
Please send a check or money order to:
Pi Kappa Phi Xi Alumni Chapter
C/O Dudley Woody
3814 Heatherton Rd SW Roanoke, VA 24014
BEING A PI KAPP HAS MEANT...
BY WHIT GRAVELY, '75
Being a Pi Kapp has meant so much to me over the last 52 years! From the moment of initiation, Pi Kappa Phi has been a part of my identity and a moniker I am proud to wear. All through life’s adventures, I’ve had the opportunity to cross paths with like-minded souls and it has always been so joyful and fun knowing that we share something this great in common. At other times, in simple conversations, people may inquire as to what fraternity I am a member of, and again, I take pride in saying, “Pi Kappa Phi!” You never forget the times you are out and see someone wearing a Pi Kapp hat, shirt or sweatshirt from afar, and it brings a smile to your face. I am proud of our Fraternity and the growth it has achieved in 120 years. The lifelong friendships I have developed through my affiliation are something I have always cherished and would never trade.
And as we gather and try to grow and reinvigorate our Xi Alumni Chapter, we can never escape the need for operational funding. Mark has come up with ideas that require our involvement and that can help with the growth and success of our undergraduate chapter. A great example concerns the refurbishment of the chapter composites, scrapbooks and other memorabilia. If you ever walk through the chapter quad now, I know you look for pictures that bring back memories. So much is in disrepair, and Mark, along with some undergrads, is willing to launch this project. In addition, we anticipate more joint alumni/undergraduate activities that support rush and recruitment. Plus, we will try to help with Xi Executive Council education activities. They take this seriously now! And don’t forget, we need funding for
the annual alumni weekend barbeque. Over the years, just a handful of locals have funded this event, and the cost is now approaching $2,000!
Please consider helping us this and every year! The undergrads are doing well and have just gained 15 new members and have hopes of signing several more as the football season concludes. With a strong and active alumni group, we can continue to be there for support and as a sounding board when necessary. Trust me when I say, that with our undergraduate chapter and the strong support of our local alumni over the years, we are recognized as a cut above the other fraternities and sororities. We need your help and active participation (especially from our younger members) to keep this forward momentum going. Please help with a donation.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RUSH FOR XI
BY HISTORIAN JACKSON HARDY
16 TOTAL BIDS EXTENDED IN THE FALL
Once again, our Xi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi has had a very successful fall recruitment, resulting in 16 total bids being extended to potential future brothers. This is the biggest associate member class we’ve had in recent years. Though some have chosen to defer to next semester, there’s no denying the future of our chapter is bright.
The biggest secret to our success this semester was every single brother doing their part during recruitment. Ever since we stepped foot back on campus, we’ve been busy going to all sorts of events to meet potential new members who would be interested in joining our proud fraternity. The general feeling among brothers has never felt more unified as we all worked together on this common goal. We all knew that we had more than 15 brothers who were preparing to graduate come the end of the year, meaning it was imperative to attain a large associate member class to continue the growth of Pi Kappa Phi.
After weeks of putting our best foot forward, our hard work paid off as we have several new and promising members who will no doubt become bound by common loyalty in the days to come. The future of our Fraternity is looking bright as we cement ourselves as an essential part of Roanoke College in the modern day and work to reclaim our title as the greatest chapter on campus. ODH!
CONNOR VANORDEN REFLECTS ON THE JOURNEY OF HOPE
BY CONNOR VANORDEN
First, I want to thank anyone reading this who supported me in any way. Whether it was advice, a donation or checking in on me throughout the summer, I am thankful for it all.
I have yet to find the right set of words that would accurately describe the magnitude of the Journey of Hope. When I initially signed up, I was expecting it to be the “trip of a lifetime,” but by the time the summer came around, I had been so caught up in graduating and planning my next steps that I didn’t get the chance to really build any expectations. I think, in the end, this was beneficial for me, and I learned very early in the trip how amazing it was going to be.
My first big Journey of Hope moment came in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where we had a Friendship Visit with an assisted living home. We rode up after our long day of cycling, ate some burgers and hot dogs, repaired some old
He then burst into tears and told us how much our visit meant to people like him. " "
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hand-crank tricycles and then started to hang out with the residents. At the end of the visit, one of the residents, Bobbie, asked us all to form a football style huddle around him and take a knee. He then burst into tears and told us how much our visit meant to people like him. His story touched us all and he sent us off one by one with a hug and a smile. I will remember Bobbie for the rest of my life.
This was just one of many interactions of this kind. Another story that stuck with me happened at a Friendship Visit in Wichita, Kansas. We had a day off from cycling but had two Friendship Visits that day. The first is where this story took place.
It was a typical lunchtime visit, where we all showed up, grabbed a bite to eat and just got to know some people. I was never very good at starting conversations with anyone, and oftentimes that becomes more challenging when engaging with people with disabilities. Fortunately, I got better at this throughout the summer.
I chose to sit with a lady who I saw had difficulty eating by herself. She was shaky and not getting much food in each bite. I quickly discovered upon trying to talk to her that she was non-verbal and so we spent the next hour pointing at things and eating in silence. Toward the end of the lunch, she reached into her bag and pulled out a picture of herself and her husband. She looked entirely different now than she had in the picture. Using her hands, she explained to me that she had fallen and hit her head years ago and that she had never been the same since. This story nearly brought me to tears and there was never a word spoken. Despite it all, she always smiled, and she even would laugh when she could figure out a joke. We left each other with a humongous hug. I wish she could’ve told me her name, because she was wonderful.
These two stories barely begin to explain all that happened this summer. Perhaps my favorite parts were the beautiful places we rode and visited. There is truly no better way to experience the beautiful Rockies, plains of Wyoming or mountains of West Virginia than on the saddle of a bike. I wouldn’t give this summer up for the world and I’ll be forever thankful for the experience.
I have yet to find the right set of words that would accurately describe the magnitude of the Journey of Hope. " "
REFLECTING ON 46 YEARS
BY LEW BORSELLINO
Afew months ago, about a dozen Xi alumni local to Roanoke gathered for a lunch coordinated by Brother Mark Edgell. Mark was part of my class of 19 men who joined Xi between 1974 and 1975. At that time, we had very strong local alumni support. The alumni were always visible at Fraternity functions, chapter meetings and even on weekends when there might be little happening but some pool on the lower floor. Sometimes, the Fraternity would be asked to join one or more of them to help out on a local project, or several would just get together for dinner or to chat.
I graduated in 1977, returning to New Jersey and residing there until 2015, having minimal contact with the college and Fraternity members through the years, except for those who lived mostly in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 2014, I took a roundabout drive to look for a new home in Austin, stopping in Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville, where I was fortunate enough to find another brother in my class, John Styron and his wife Ann. They suggested that I look in Roanoke (where they both were raised). There, I met up with brothers Ray Ferris and Whit Gravely, who convinced me that Roanoke would be a good place to re-settle, and I quickly decided that there was much about Roanoke that I loved; So, I returned and made Roanoke my home.
Roanoke is a small, easy to navigate, town and community (about 100,000 people) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is still pristine in many surrounding areas and has numerous wonderful outdoor features. It is also very easy to make friends here. If you know one person, you will quickly find a connection to a dozen or more with little effort.
Back to that lunch... as we were eating, Mark asked why we joined the Xi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. As we began discussing it, several who were born and raised here indicated that the Pi Kapps were very friendly to them as local students, so they felt that it was an on-campus home. It also helped that we had the highest GPA, most of the science majors and a good many political science and business as well. I think we still do have the highest GPA today as well, maintaining that honor through most of the decades. We had a good mix of out-of-state students as well, especially New Jersey.
I joined because I liked the friendliness, particularly of the area students I was meeting at the house. In fact, one of my class, brother Roy Jamerson, was my roommate throughout my years there, and we were each other’s respective best men. Roy was raised in Collinsville, about an hour south, and his parents always invited me for weekends and holidays, for which I have been eternally grateful. I was particularly honored that Roy’s parents also attended my wedding.
Others and I also cited the active support and engagement of the alumni. They added so much flavor to the fabric of the school and the Fraternity.
And then, as I looked around the table, I realized that about half of the people sitting there were the exact same alumni who had fostered me and my class back in 1975, and so many others in the intervening 46 years. I owe them all a sincere “thanks” and “Job well done,” including several memorable alumni, who have since passed into the Chapter Eternal.
The spirit of Roanoke, the College, the community and Pi Kappa Phi is in its ability and willingness to engage with those who find themselves a part of it, and its ability to extend and accept friendship. It engenders so much of what we need today to re-energize and lead the country and the world. The building blocks are here at Xi.
CHAPTER VOLUNTEERS HELP OUT ON ELECTION DAY
BY ED BENNETT, #506, ‘65
For several years, some of the active brothers of the Xi Chapter have volunteered to assist my wife, Debbie, on election day at various polling locations. Debbie serves as precinct captain for seven locations in Roanoke County. One of her responsibilities is to identify volunteers to work two-hour shifts beginning at six in the morning until seven at night when the polls close. The volunteers simply give out voter guides and answer questions as citizens approach each polling location.
One of the volunteers is none other than Dr. Lee Anthony, retired chair of the Physics Department at Roanoke College in the early 1960s, who later served as acting dean before Dr. Ed Lautenschlager was named to that post. Dr. Anthony is still quite active, and at 95, he will be working two shifts on election day!
A few years ago, I attended a chapter meeting and asked if there were any brothers who might be interested in
helping at the polls. The carrot to get the volunteers would be dinner at the best Italian restaurant in Roanoke – my house! Obviously, the volunteer hands went up and Debbie had the required number to fill the various shifts!
On the evening of Friday, October 25, seven Xi brothers joined chapter advisor Don Potter and his wife Susie for dinner, stories and a review of my fraternity memorabilia. It was a wonderful time of bonding and camaraderie.
Such service projects enable the mentoring between older alumni and the active younger brothers. This is a prime example of the type of mentoring that Mark Edgell is working hard to implement in our newly revitalized Xi Alumni Chapter. When mentoring, there is no distrust or resentment between the generations; it is simply the building of brotherhood.
VISITING DURWARD OWEN, PI KAPPA PHI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Xi Chapter’s own Durward Owen is still living in Charlotte North Carolina, a place he has called home since 1965. However, before becoming our executive director and working for the national Fraternity from 1959 to 1994, he was raised in Roanoke. After attending Roanoke College, he became active as a leader of the local alumni group, mentored and supported along the way by several prominent local alumni.
His life’s journey has brought him to the Brightmore of South Charlotte where he is often visited by his fraternity brothers. Connie, his wife of almost 68 years, passed away in 2020. Since then, many brothers have reached out to Durward (now 94 years old), a constant reminder for him that Brotherhood is forever. Xi alumni have made two group road trips for lunch with Durward in the past two years.
During alumni weekend at Roanoke College this past April, Xi brothers of all eras signed a giant card sending our collective well wishes. The card with over 60 signatures was hand delivered and his faithful brother and friend Jim Stump 72’ and I took him to lunch.
Durward LOVES to hear from Xi brothers! If you get a few minutes drop him a card, a letter, or even a picture to the National Headquarters and a staff member will hand deliver to Durward:
Durward Owen
c/o Pi Kappa Phi 3701 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 500
HAVE YOU EVER ASSISTED A BEEKEEPER?
BY LEW BORSELLINO
Recently, a friend I play pickleball with invited me to join him in harvesting honey from his several beehives, which contain about 250,000 bees. Surprisingly, these hives do not take up much space. I jumped at the opportunity. Of course, he had a spare jacket and headgear.
On an overcast mid-morning we suited up and moved slowly through the hives, pulling only the full honeycombs. The bees were a little stirred up but did not swarm or attack. It took us most of the day to pull all the honeycombs.
The next day, we scraped all the wax from the combs (a process called capping). This intensive process must be done far away from the hives and behind closed doors because the bees will sense the honey and swarm, making it impossible to complete the job.
We put the combs, which were full of honey, into a specially made centrifuge, turned it by hand, and spun the honey from it into several five-gallon buckets. The final yield was 90 pints.
Having scraped all the wax into a large tub (the wax still had much honey attached to it) we put the tub onto the back of his pickup and drove it to the far end of the property. Within 20 minutes the bees had swarmed the wax and were cleaning the honey from it. He was left with lots of pure beeswax very quickly.
The next day the combs were placed back into the hives, the honey was strained, bottled and ready for use. I know where my honey comes from.
From time to time, I will be asking if a current Xi student or two (depending on the task that day) would like to assist in this unique and satisfying local learning experience. I hope many of the undergrads will avail themselves of this unique opportunity and of the many others the local alumni have to offer.
NATE GALLOPO: LEADING THE CHARGE AND TRANSFORMING ROANOKE
COLLEGE’S
CLUB ICE HOCKEY TEAM
In the world of collegiate sports, the story of Roanoke College's Club Ice Hockey Team stands out as a testament to dedication, leadership and the power of community. At the heart of this inspiring narrative is brother Nate Gallopo whose visionary leadership has propelled the team from eight players to an impressive roster of 18, marking a significant milestone for both Roanoke College and Pi Kappa Phi.
As the current president of the Club Ice Hockey Team, Nate Gallopo's journey to success began with a commitment to growth and a passion for the sport. Under his guidance, the team not only expanded its player base but also established a robust $17,000 budget - a remarkable feat that reflects Nate's ability to navigate the complexities of managing a collegiate sports program.
One of the crowning achievements of Nate's tenure as president was the organization of Roanoke College's first-ever collegiate hockey game. Against all odds, he orchestrated a historic matchup against VMI, attracting the attention of more than 220 students and community members who eagerly attended the event.
The game itself was nothing short of spectacular, with Roanoke College securing an 8-5 victory, showcasing the team's skill, determination and the results of
Nate's strategic leadership. The win not only marked a momentous occasion for the Club Ice Hockey Team but also brought a wave of pride and recognition to the broader Pi Kappa Phi community.
Nate's ability to unite both the college and local community behind the team speaks volumes about his leadership style and the positive impact he has had on the Roanoke College Club Ice Hockey program. The game was not merely a competiton on the ice; it was a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and the spirit of camaraderie that defines both Pi Kappa Phi and collegiate athletics.
The success of the Club Ice Hockey Team under Nate Gallopo's guidance is an incredible reflection of the values upheld by Pi Kappa Phi. Through determination, vision and a commitment to excellence, Nate has not only expanded the team but has also elevated the profile of Roanoke College within the collegiate sports arena.
As we celebrate these achievements, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to brother Nate Gallopo for his outstanding leadership and dedication to building something truly special for Roanoke College, the Club Ice Hockey Team, and the entire Pi Kappa Phi brotherhood.
DID YOU KNOW XI ALUMNI HAD A FACEBOOK PAGE?
BY JACK WADE, #542, '70
When I graduated in 1970, there was no internet, no cell phones, no calculators and certainly no computers. Long-distance phone calls were expensive, so the most affordable means of communicating with your brothers was writing letters and sending them through the mail. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy to keep up with your fellow brothers and what they were doing, if you moved away from Roanoke.
In 2012 I learned, after the fact, that my big brother, Michael Smythe, had visited a few of our brothers in Roanoke to say his goodbyes. He was dying of pancreatic cancer. I was upset because I never got a chance to say goodbye and thank him for helping me through brotherhood. I knew then that we needed a better means of communicating so that all our brothers could stay in contact. It seemed natural that this be done through Facebook.
So, in 2012 I set up the Xi Alumni Chapter Facebook page.
My goal was that this would not only be a main means of transmitting messages about our chapter and alumni activities but also become a source of history for our chapter - a place where, many years later, you can go back to see pictures and videos of some of the best days of our lives.
I acknowledge that that objective hasn’t been fulfilled and that many alumni brothers don’t even know the Facebook page exists. More could have been done. I think now is the time to do that.
I’m asking for volunteers to help improve this Facebook page and make it even better than it is now. We need more admins and photos and videos of our history. If you would like to be an admin, please contact me or Mark Edgell.
I’m sure most of you know how to post something on Facebook, but many of you might not know about the photo album section, where we store videos and pictures of days past.
Here’s how to access and use this feature:
Our historical albums can be found under the link for “Photos” which is at the top of the main front page.
Click on the Photo link, and it will take you to another page where you will see the third link is “Albums.”
Click on “Albums,” and it will take you to a page with over 15 albums already set up (we can add more and even be more specific about the years).
Click on any album to view a grouping of pictures inside that album.
Click on any picture to see a description of the people in that picture. Then, you can scroll through the album.
Be sure to check out the album for Xi’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. There are over 80 pictures. We have nine videos, most from the 2016 Centennial and the 1988 Reunion. We’d love to have more.
If you have pictures and/or videos – no matter what year they are – we want them. You need special temporary access to post photos in the “Albums” section. Contact me and I will set you up with that access.
I need you to post your own pictures so that you can properly write a description of what’s happening in that picture and share who’s in the picture.
Remember, the main page is for posting about current activities. The albums are for historical archiving.
If you want to make sure that your own Facebook page gets copies of anything posted on the Xi Alumni page, then you need to “Like” or “Follow” the page. Right now, we have 294 “likes” and 262 “followers.”
Let’s all keep in touch and save our history!