Pi Kappa Alpha - Oklahoma State University

P I K E P R E S S Gamma Chi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at Oklahoma State University HOUSE CORPORATION PLANS FOR GAMMA CHI'S FUTURE FALL 2014 You Get What You Give Why Dick J. Beshear '73 Keeps in Touch D ick J. Beshear '73 strongly believes that if you don't put effort into things, you don't get much in return. "It's the same with the fraternity and anything else in life. I have put a lot of time and energy into Gamma Chi Chapter, but I have been blessed beyond measure by the men and their families I have gotten to know in the process." Since Dick graduated he has been volunteering with Gamma Chi. He has served as a chapter advisor and as both president and treasurer of the house corporation. He values the experience he received as an undergraduate and wants to not only see other men afforded those same opportunities, but continue to develop his membership as well. "I was from a small town in rural Oklahoma, and Dr. B. Paul Choate III '72 invited me to meet some of the Gamma Chi brothers. While I was an undergraduate I met people from all over the state and country. It broadened my outlook and allowed me to see other possibilities in life. I was able to take the traits of people I admired and make them my own." Dick's favorite undergraduate memories come from pledgeship. "It was a tough time, but it formed a bond between my pledge brothers that remains to this day. I haven't seen many of them for years, but I still know what good men they are and that when we meet again it will be like we were never apart." As an alumnus, Dick is still inspired by his fraternity brothers every day. One brother in particular is the late J. Lewie Sanderson '39, whom the current chapter house is named after. "Working with Lewie was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. I remember Lewie's timeless A s students continue to evolve with the technology and material-based 21st century, it's easy to see who can keep up with today's demands and who is being left in the dust. In recent years, Stillwater has seen an upswing in the amenities offered by student housing, both on campus and off. These new buildings are a far cry from the bare-bones brick walls and metal bunk beds many of us were accustomed to. Before the Internet, smart phones, satellite TV, and video games, students would spend very little time in their rooms, as there wasn't much to do. Socializing took place outside of the dorm and they were forced to interact in public. But times have changed. Socializing can take place anywhere, and students want to be comfortable doing so. If you were to do a Google search of "Stillwater student housing," the most popular results feature indoor recreation facilities, pools, individual bathrooms, wireless Internet, and much more. These luxury housing amenities coupled with the many new and renovated fraternity and sorority houses on campus make it easy to see why competition for the student dollar is at an all-time high. Within the last 15 years, the campus climate has changed in regard to freshman housing. It was once mandatory for freshmen to live on campus, but now more students are looking at their off- campus options, and they recognize the benefits of both. Students now also weigh their privacy against the ease of getting to campus. Despite the extra driving time, apartments are viewed as the more enticing option, because of the extra privacy and nicer amenities. Off-campus housing also allows for less-stringent rules than living in a dorm and offers students more social freedom. As I see these changes made around campus and in Stillwater, I find myself stepping back to evaluate how Gamma Chi will continue to compete and thrive at OSU. In the meantime, our undergraduates strive toward excellence regardless of where they live, ensuring the student population knows the men of Pike are all scholars, leaders, athletes, and gentlemen. As we begin to plan for Gamma Chi's future, alumni support is more important than ever. I encourage you to reconnect with the chapter and your pledge brothers today and do what you can to help Pike stay strong. Fraternally, Larry Ricker '65 House Corporation President (405) 372-7617 larry.ricker@gmail.com Campus Housing More Competitive Than Ever (Continued on page 6) Interested in volunteering? Contact Larry Ricker '65 at larry.ricker@ gmail.com.

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