Pi Kappa Alpha - Oklahoma State University

Page 3 Pike Press I was a senior in high school and all of my close friends were going to different colleges. My sister knew some men in Pike, Kevin Rigsby '82 and Clark Huff '83, and gave them my name so that I could attend recruitment events. Clark came to visit my parents and assured us of the virtues of fraternal involvement and convinced me of the strength of Pike. At my first recruitment party I met Chris Mountford '85, who wound up being one of my roommates and lifelong friends. After that evening I went home and told my parents I was going to pledge if extended a bid. The southern recruitment dinner was the final selling point as I looked around the room and saw the caliber of the pledge class from the south part of the state. Once signing day arrived I was ready to go. I was impressed with the support network for new freshmen and the commitment to excellence. Hoby Ferrell '82 and Clark set the vision for what we were going to be as Pikes, and we never looked back. My brothers were my mentors, my closest allies, and my role models. They were always there through thick and thin. My son, Christian Claypool '12, experienced this firsthand when he attended the Fiesta Bowl and met all the Pikes that were there and saw how we instantly picked back up. My son's observation of these relationships is the key reason he pledged Pike. His statement to me was, 'Look at the quality of friends you made and how great those friendships still are today. Why would I look anywhere else? I am a Pike.' I am now getting to watch him go through some of the same experiences I did. Gamma Chi taught me how to be the leader I am today. Those of you who knew me in college will chuckle over that, but I saw how an organization could be moved forward. Watching Hoby set the vision and motivate Doug Lankford '82, Todd Hittle '84, and the other presidents lead us through the years. The fraternity brought me out of my shell and I gained confidence in public speaking and public settings. I took those mentoring sessions from Bob Dotson '84 and others and moved forward. I look back at what Pi Kappa Alpha has given me, and I have to give back. I look at how my own son is emerging as a leader and going through the transitions I did in college, and exceeding anything I accomplished at 19, and just marvel. If you take the time to reflect on what Gamma Chi gave you in college, whether it was friendship, leadership, social skills, or just great memories, you realize that you have no idea what could unfold when you reactivate Pi Kappa Alpha in your life. The world of the fraternity opens up as you become an active alumnus and it is incredibly rewarding. One of the best ways to start getting back in touch is by visiting the chapter house. The actives are moving the chapter in the right direction but need an alumni presence. They are 18-22-year-old men handling the activity of a large organization with multiple priorities. We are the ties to the history of the house and tradition. Our tall tales of life in Gamma Chi become the legends we were raised on for this generation. David Sargent '80 is still there as an alumnus teaching the men all the legends, songs, and history. Taking the time to sit down with the actives, hearing their issues, and sharing stories is just fun! We stand on the verge on making a move for Gamma Chi that will both bring back the glory of our days and establish us as the dominant fraternity on the OSU campus for generations. If you have a son soon to attend OSU, now is the time to continue your legacy. Let the chapter know he is coming, but also be involved in his recruitment and bring him around. Lead by example and let him see what Pi Kappa Alpha meant to you. I can tell you that you will be absolutely blown away the night you pin his badge on him at initiation. To say I had goosebumps last November when I pinned my son would be the understatement of the decade. It is your job to make sure we bring the sharpest leaders to the Gamma Chi whether it is your son, or the son of a friend." Blain Claypool '85 Encourages Alumni to Reconnect O N C E A P I K E , A L WAY S A P I K E Blain Claypool '85 and Jamie Aveni '85 at the Shipwreck party in 1989. The world of the fraternity opens up as you become an active alumnus and it is incredibly rewarding. One of the best ways to start getting back in touch is by visiting the chapter house. G amma Chi gave Blain Claypool '85 lifelong friends and he credits the chapter with helping him through school. He never ceases to be amazed at how he can run into a brother separated by decades and they instantly fall right back into step and all time evaporates. Blain lives in Fleming Island, Florida, with his wife, Shannon, and their three daughters: Olivia, Luna, and Mia. E-mail: dbclaypool@gmail.com

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