Zeta Alpha March 2015 Newsletter

ZA News Of the Zeta Alpha Chapter Featured in this Issue Zeta Alpha Is Back!

Pedals for Pi Kapp Alumni Weekend Alumni Updates

Newly Initiated Brothers with their Charter and national initiation team

Scott Gasparini and Rondal Johnson with the new Alumni initiates

March 13, 2015/Issue 1 A Pi Kappa Phi Newsletter Published by the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. The Zeta Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, nor Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is liable for errors or omissions. Š 2013

Zeta Alpha Is Back!

The men of the Zeta Alpha chapter are proud to say Pi Kappa Phi has officially returned to Clemson University’s campus! From the time of the first accepted bid to the initiation of the last associate member, countless Pi Kapps and supportive individuals have worked ardently to make this vision a reality. On March 7, 2015 the 83 members of the Zeta Alpha chapter hosted a Chartering Banquet to celebrate the end of a journey and begin a new campaign to become the greatest fraternity to call Clemson home. We hope to build a reputation of class, achievement, and servitude as we ingrain ourselves on campus.

With two rush weeks, a lively Mountain Weekend, construction of a Homecoming float, a successful philanthropy event, and countless other experiences already under our belts the future of the chapter looks bright as we strive towards the vision of Pi Kappa Phi. In the spring of 2014 two consultants from the national organization, Trae Hestness and Keenan Dollar, traveled to Clemson to seek out men of class to become the Refounding Fathers of Zeta Alpha. Those who accepted bids went into the summer ecstatic for the upcoming fall semester as associate members. With the help of alumni we were able to purchase a tent for the upcoming fall rush week. A pig roast, two nights of Smokers, and two rounds later we welcomed several new members into our fraternity. The remainder of the semester proved to be rewarding as we cheered on the Tigers together as a chapter at football games from our block seats and hosted several mixers, social gatherings, and a Mountain Weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. In the spring of 2015 we picked up even more men dedicated to the betterment of our chapter during spring rush. Additionally we were also were able to experience the promotion that comes with benevolence as we raised funds for the Clemson Life program in our Pedals for Pi Kapp philanthropy event. Lastly we were able to participate in the Greek Week festivities that took place on campus during the week of March 1. These events not only provided memorable occasions for us but also established a strong sense of brotherhood among us all.

After rigorous preparation and a series of written and oral exams, 73 men entered initiation as associate members, and 73 men exited as brothers of Pi Kappa Phi on March 6, 2015. On the following day we were officially granted our charter to re-install the Zeta Alpha chapter at Clemson. As the secrets and history of Pi Kappa Phi were imparted to us we took an oath of lifelong commitment to the fraternity and its values. With this oath came a promise of comradery and friendship from all individuals associated with Pi Kappa Phi. In the coming years we will devote ourselves to upholding our oath and becoming exceptional leaders as we give back to the community around us.

Now that we have reached the end of our expedition in becoming an official chapter and are able to move forward we have many to thank for our accomplishment.

Thank you to all the sororities and fraternities who have openly welcomed us into Greek life on campus; to our parents for their support; to the Delta, Epsilon Eta, and Epsilon Lambda chapters for aiding us in initiation; and to the alumni for their never-ending loyalty.

God bless the fraternity.

ZA News | A newsletter from the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi | Page 2

Pedals For Pi Kapp

Brothers of the Zeta Alpha Chapter at the Bike-A-Thon

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude” -Scott Hamilton ALUMNI WEEKEND The Zeta Alpha chapter is excited to host its first Alumni Weekend since rechartering! The date is set for the weekend of April 17-18, so mark your calendars. There are some great events planned to let Alumni connect and interact with the newly initiated brothers. We have a softball game planned on the 18th where Alumni get to take on some undergraduate brothers in a friendly competition. There is also a tailgate planned on that Saturday to cheer on our Clemson Tigers Baseball Team before they take on the Duke Blue Devils at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game starts at 6:30 and the tailgate will be an hour or two before the game. We are thrilled to host our Alumni and welcome y’all back to Tigertown for this special weekend. We are eager and ready to start this tradition of many more great Alumni weekends.

(803)-629-5677  Cupikapp@gmail.com | http://www.cupikappaphi.com/  Archon-Matthew Forster Vice Archon-Tom Hoefel 604 University Union Clemson, SC 29634

Secretary-Alex Martin Treasurer-Neal Patel Warden-Tom Curry Historian-Taylor Giel Chaplain-Baxter Morgan Risk Manager-Garrett Dickinson Social Chair-Stephen Linnell Standards Chair-Alex Shuler Philanthropy Chair - Drayton Reeley & Max Conant

The Ability Experience (formerly Push America) is Pi Kappa Phi’s leading philanthropy. The mission of the Ability Experience is to “use shared experiences to support people with disabilities and develop the men of Pi Kappa Phi into servant leaders.” This goes hand-in-hand with developing the vision of our fraternity: a future where every Pi Kappa Phi embraces his role as a leader, puts service before self and improves the world around him. In addition the Ability Experience Challenges program allows those who are not members of Pi Kappa Phi to participate in events that support understanding and philanthropy. Since coming back onto campus last year, Pi Kappa Phi’s Zeta Alpha chapter (Clemson University) has already been involved with The Ability Experience. On the weekend of February 6, 2015, the brothers of the Zeta Alpha Chapter participated in a Bike-AThon. The purpose of the Bike-A-Thon was to raise money towards The Ability Experience Nationally and locally here at Clemson University for the ClemsonLIFE Program, a postsecondary education program at Clemson University where students with disabilities can earn a degree, and the Clemson Outdoor Lab. Brothers would be sponsored by family, friends, or other organizations to ride a bike for an hour.

Through donations from family, friends, and various organizations on campus as well as a fundraising dinner at a restaurant in downtown Clemson the men of Zeta Alpha were able to raise over $6,000 towards this cause and are looking forward to another event to continue their fundraising efforts in the fall.

ALUMNI UPDATES During the journey to re-charter, we have had tremendous support from Zeta Alpha Alumni and our Board of Alumni Advisors. Pictured here with our current Executive Council, these Alumni have been the backbone to our rechartering efforts. Specifically, Rondal Johnson has donated enough of his own money in order for us to purchase a tent. Without this donation we wouldn’t have been able to participate in Fall Rush and Spring Rush, where we achieved our total of 83 active brothers. In addition, our current Board of Alumni Advisors has gone above and beyond to make sure we come back strong.

We are very thankful that our alumni are so supportive and we could not be where we are without them. We have made a very strong comeback to Clemson University!