Pi Kappa Phi Pi Kappa Phi C.L.A.S.S. Notes
Theta Alpha Chapter
Faculty Advisor Update
The University of Southern Mississippi
Spring 2010
Academics
Chapter Membership
The Theta Alpha chapter continues to take pride in the academic success of the active and associate members’ commitment to academics. For the Fall Semester, three campus chapters, including Pi Kappa Phi, ended the semester with a cumulative grade point average of 2.9. The Theta Alpha chapter earned more academic credit hours than all other chapters in the fraternity system and Pi Kapp earned three times the number of quality points than the next highest chapter.
The Theta Alpha chapter leads all Southern Miss fraternities in the number of active and associate members. The chapter’s current size is 69 surpassing the next closest chapter by nearly ten men. The current average size of a chapter at Southern Miss is in the mid-30’s. These figures continue to demonstrate the success of our recruitment efforts. Membership though is much more than about numbers. Quality is essential and Pi Kappa Phi has proven to be a leader in that category as well. This should be clearly evident from the information throughout these updates and a source of pride to each member of the Theta Alpha family.
The annual academic dinner, held each October, recognizes chapter members who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In 2008 the chapter recognized 22 men. In 2009 the chapter recognized 26 men. Currently the chapter has a total of 37 actives and associates above a 3.0. No other Southern Miss fraternity can compare. Pi Kappa Phi has more members above a 3.0 than nearly 6 of the 10 chapters have in total chapter membership. Congrats Pi Kapp members and families on a job well done! The third annual academic dinner will be held this October. The dinner has received phenomenal support from parents and alumni. Plans are to hold the dinner again at Brownstones and you can be assured the men love and appreciate the dinner. The dinner has been funded totally through contributions. Anyone nterested in supporting the dinner can contribute to Gary Kimble, 118 College Drive #5064, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 with a check made payable to Pi Kappa Phi.
PUSH America The Theta Alpha chapter has a strong tradition of support to our national philanthropy, PUSH America. Last year the chapter finished in 3rd place nationally for its fundraising efforts earning a “Gold Star Chapter” recognition at Pi Kapp College in Charleston, South Carolina. The chapter is on its way to match or exceed last year’s total in the effort to make a real difference to the lives of persons with disabilities.
Meet the Chapter’s Officers: President Vice President Historian Chaplain Secretary Treasurer Warden PUSH Chair
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Andrew Brown Rudy Chopin Will Stringer Mark Hamrick Myers Marshall Justin Roland Thomas Schmidt Luke Post
Pi Kappa Phi Pi Kappa Phi C.L.A.S.S. Notes
Theta Alpha Chapter
Faculty Advisor Update
The University of Southern Mississippi
“Give a Push” (GAP) Weekend Last October, the Theta Alpha chapter once again demonstrated its national leadership and took a monumental step in enhancing our national visibility and excellence. Friday, October 9 found more than sixty actives, associates, alumni traveling to Southern Miss for one of the largest GAP Weekends ever hosted by Pi Kappa Phi. Nearly 45% of the Theta Alpha chapter gave up Fall Break to participate. The group stayed in the Payne Center with hot showers and recreation. Saturday proved to be a successful experience in spite of rainy weather. The men completed work on a new bridge over a wetlands area, constructed an enclosure around the bathroom area, and cleared a new trail through a dense woodlands area. The Lake Thoreau Project, a creation of the USM Biology Department, consists of 131 acres. The teaching and research center services the University and thousands of school-aged children. Pi Kappa Phi became the first campus or community organization to impact Lake Thoreau. A $5,000 check presentation was made by Pi Kappa Phi to the USM Biology Department. This event provided Pi Kappa Phi the opportunity to host an outstanding community service project and impact USM’s teaching and research center. The event strengthened brotherhood through the interaction of members representing seven regional chapters and provided the participants a meaningful experience interacting with the residents of the Ellisville State School.
Spring 2010
presentation to the Ellisville State School in the amount of $3,412.00, the team returned to campus. To the man, each left campus knowing he had been part of the creation of something special and had contributed to the success of Lake Thoreau.
ACT at Southern Miss
The chapter has been fortunate to have the opportunity to be associated with the campus’ administration of the ACT to high schools students. The ACT is given four times each year at the University. More than 30 Pi Kapp actives and associates participated in April as hall proctors and test administrators, indicating the level of responsibility and maturity seen in the members. Each man working earns between $80.00 and $130.00. Last fall, our associate brothers managed the ACT duties and each man donated his earnings to PUSH America raising an excess of $2,000.00. Clearly this is an opportunity which benefits the Theta Alpha chapter and again, demonstrates to the University the quality of the men who are members. Not only does it provide resources to the chapter’s membership but exposes the nearly 600 high school test takers to the fraternity as the men are encouraged to proudly display their letters on test day.
Fall Recruitment
Every member of the chapter recognizes the value of the “next man” to the fraternity. To that end, recruitment becomes a year-long process. Numerous activities are underway to guarantee a quality Theta Alpha Chapter for the future including summer rush trips and freshman orientation activities. Recruitment is a function in which everyone can contribute. Please share names of men planning on attending Southern Miss; support the chapter by talking to friends and parents of potential members about Pi Kappa Phi; and should you wish to financially support recruitment efforts, please notify Rudy Chopin our Recruitment Chair at joseph.chopin@eagles.usm.edu.
Saturday concluded with a friendship visit to the Ellisville State School where participants painted pumpkins and interacted with the facility’s residents. The experience touched each man personally and was a highlight of the weekend. Following a check Page 2
Pi Kappa Phi Pi Kappa Phi C.L.A.S.S. Notes
Theta Alpha Chapter
Faculty Advisor Update
The University of Southern Mississippi
Spring 2010
Congratulations to the
Journey of HOPE PUSH America’s premier activity of the year is the traditional bike ride from San Francisco, California to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of persons with disabilities. This summer three members of the Theta Alpha chapter; Zack Wilcox, Tyler Peterson and Tom Schmidt will be undertaking the Journey of Hope. Each man riding is required to raise $5,000.00 for PUSH America. Notes of support and appreciation would be a fantastic gesture for this year’s class. It will obviously be a memorable journey of a lifetime for each man and the chapter extends a sincere appreciation for their contribution to PUSH America and the fraternity.
Theta Alpha Chapter:
• Winning the 2010 Pi Kapp Classic (only the second time in our history) • Winning the Chi Omega annual “Songfest” competition • Stuart Lovinggood’s selection to the Southern Miss “Hall of Fame” • David Curtis as a finalist for the Southern Miss “Student Employee of the Year” • The chapter’s recognition for support of the annual Heartwalk Campaign
Graduation The chapter wishes to recognize the men graduating from Southern Miss and earnestly appreciate the contributions each has made to our chapter’s success. Best wishes to: Houston Brown Chad Byrd Nathan Jones Stuart Lovinggood Marks McWhorter
Sam Muller Kevin Nezat Brad Nicholson Kirk Oldenburg Dylan Pair
• Fogarty Award presented by the National Office of Pi Kappa Phi at Pi Kapp College • Most Improved New Member Education Program – National Office, Pi Kapp College • Chapter Scholarship Program at Pi Kapp College • “Grand Master Chapter” Award at Pi Kapp College • Mark Hamrick – “Emerging Leader for PUSH America” – Pi Kapp College • Gary Kimble – inaugural “Alumni Advisor of the Year” Award – Pi Kapp College • Mr. John Langley – Theta Alpha 2010 “Alumni Member of the Year” • Mr. Johnny Kochtitzky & Mr. Matt Binion – 2010 recipients Theta Alpha “Hall of Fame”
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