Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

PI KAPPA ALPHA • UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS • FALL 2021 T exas Pikes are enjoying fall semester 2021; the chapter is pleased to be back in Austin, and despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, we are thrilled to see a moderate return to "normal" for university classes as well as for fraternity brotherhood and operations. Pikes will continue to observe university and local guidance on pandemic limitations and remain proactive to best manage the impacts of COVID-19 in the Pike house and the UT community. The chapter continues to enjoy the new Pike house and has a productive academic year planned with academic, brotherhood and service events as well as several smaller gatherings, including football pre-game tailgates at the Pike house. We hosted a terrific Parents Weekend in September, and in October, we hit the road to Dallas for the Texas/Oklahoma weekend with dates. We also hosted our Alumni Open House. Upcoming plans include several more football tailgates, the annual SWAMP Party and a Winter Formal. Beta Mu had another excellent fall pledge class. The 32 new members hail from across Texas towns, such as Abilene, Austin, Beaumont, DFW, Georgetown, Houston and San Antonio, as well as Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon and South Carolina. We are proud of our academic performance as a chapter. Our actives in spring 2021 carded—per UT Austin grade reports—a 3.54 GPA, with the highest GPA of the 20 Interfraternity Council groups securing a 3.72. The campus-wide all- men's average was 3.48. More than one-third of our members has a 3.75 GPA or higher, and seven brothers earned perfect 4.0s last semester. Pike proudly engages in community service projects in Austin and on campus. In early November, we hosted a pancake supper to benefit the university-sanctioned student philanthropy, TexasTHON. Pikes have also volunteered at the Central Texas Food Bank and participated in the Texas Interfraternity Council's "Movember" men's cancer and mental health research project. Pike International is continuing to postpone usual larger meetings and conventions in 2021, but we did receive awards via a virtual ceremony. For the eighth successive year, Beta Mu received numerous awards, including the Orians Chapter Excellence Award, which is given to only 20 top-performing national chapters. Also, congratulations to Beta Mu's Alumni Advisory Board for being recognized as one of the top 20 national operating boards for the eighth consecutive year. Beta Mu remains one of the Pike's highest-performing chapters nationally. Beta Mu's 101st and 102nd years on the UT campus promise to be filled with brotherhood, leadership development, community service and academic excellence. Alumni, parents and friends are encouraged to visit the chapter when in Austin. Demonstrating Excellence Beta Mu Chapter Continues to Thrive in 101st Year on The Forty Acres By Chapter President Nathan McDermid '18 Todd Hasie '81, Kent Woodard '69, and Dow Hickam '65, all Pike presidents in their Beta Mu days and early house campaign donors, enjoyed the Pike Alumni Open House in October. Pikes are building great brotherhood and lifelong friendships in the new Centennial Pike House. Brothers participating in the TexasTHON Pancake Supper!

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