Pi Kappa Alpha - Purdue University

CANDLELIGHT Page 2 A DAY TO CELEBRATE A CENTURY The anniversary celebration began with an open house at the local home of Scott Lods '89 on Friday evening, October 14. This was an opportunity for returning alumni to reconnect in an informal, laid-back environment. On Saturday morning, October 15, the formal celebration began with alumni arriving early at the Chapter House, greeted by members with a flower for spouses. At noon, the Home Association held its annual meeting for electing officers and board members. Then, the annual Chapter scholarships were presented by Beta Phi Foundation President Joe Conti '85 to four outstanding candidates. Those receiving awards of $1,200 each were: • Jack May '24, for the Charlie Hetrick Scholarship • Joshua Clark '25, for the Glasgow/Kent Scholarship • Joshua Downham '25, for the Robert Rain Scholarship • Troy Tamura '25, for the Arthur S. Bowes Scholarship Next, members entertained the alumni with a choral rendition of the great traditional Pi Kappa Alpha songs, "How'd You Like to Be a PKA," "May I Speak My Heart," and "Down in Old Virginny." Then, we had a fabulous catered luncheon, which continued through the afternoon hours. In the evening, we held special presentations for Rich Russell '58 and Bruce Pershing. Rich, as one of the founders of the foundation, has served as its president and then chairman of the board since its inception in 1992. His contributions and foresight have been monumental in sustaining and nurturing this great Chapter. The new alumni room that has been established at the Chapter House is named in honor of Rich and his wife, Phyllis. To conclude Rich's ceremony, we presented him with a large photo of himself and Phyllis, placing another copy outside the alumni room. Bruce was honored as the reliable and trustworthy treasurer of the Beta Phi Foundation; he is retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Tom Maddox '71, president of the Home Association, encouraged alumni to contribute to a new endowment fund that would provide funds to cover long-term maintenance and upgrades to the property. The alumni present heartily supported the idea, and several made financial commitments to help get it off the ground. (You can read more about the fund on page 1.) Rex Martin '72 then made a pitch for the completion of the composite photo project. He has received most of the photos, dating back to the 1950s, from alumni and Pike National but asked for help from the alumni to finish it up. Many alumni took the opportunity to visit their old rooms and reminisce with the young men now occupying their old digs about the good times they experienced. Someday, maybe years in the future, these new brothers will be having the same experience with brothers yet to be. The group then gathered in front of the Chapter House for our traditional reunion photo. Afterward, we held a raffle to raise funds for the Beta Phi Foundation, with prizes including six 100th anniversary flags (one of which was signed by the alumni and brothers) and four footballs signed by Purdue Football Coach Jeff Brohm. DID YOU GET YOUR MERCH? Also available for purchase were hats, shirts, and flags with the 100th anniversary logo. For those who couldn't attend or didn't have a chance to purchase these commemorative items, there are still a few shirts of various sizes and 25 hats available for sale. Please contact Joe Conti at joscon_61@yahoo.com to purchase them. Finally, each brother present was given a commemorative 100th anniversary coin as a memento. Then it was time to head to the stadium for the Purdue vs. Nebraska football game. Many alumni sat together in one section, cheering on the Boilermakers to a hard-won victory. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE This special gathering of 140 longtime friends and brothers was one for the ages. The joy of reconnecting with fellow Pikes, who shared this space and experience together at such an important time in their lives, is both reflective and meaningful. One does not part ways having not been touched by the experience. Here's to the next 100 years of PIKE at Purdue! (Continued from page 1) REFLECTING ON A CENTURY AT PURDUE

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