Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

INSIDE: Alumni Spotlight • 2-3 Thank You, Loyal Brothers • 4-5 Alumni Update • 5 Welcome, New Members • 7 PI KAPPA ALPHA • UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS • SPRING 2015 Beta Mu Review the TEXAS PIKES' SPRING 2015 SEMESTER IN FULL SWING T exas Pikes are enjoying an active spring 2015 semester. The chapter has 11 new spring pledges, who join the 34 new members initiated in December 2014. Our membership now stands at 140 brothers. The new spring members are introduced in this issue of The Beta Mu Review on page seven. CONTINUED PHILANTHROPIC SUCCESS The issue also highlights our ongoing successful philanthropic efforts supporting several nonprofits and causes like as the Settlement Home of Austin (the state's largest charity garage sale) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Fun Run. We are very proud that Pike led other student organizations in raising more than $8,200 through two pancake suppers at the Pike house and participating in a dance contest for the THON student series for pediatric cancer research at Dell Children's Hospital. PARENTS COUNCIL ESTABLISHED Pike is also pleased to have formed a new Parents Council which will be led by volunteer parents Stephanie Offill (son Matt Offill '14), Khalil Shalabi (son Joe Shalabi '14) and Robin Thigpin (son Bryce Thigpin '14). The Council provides another layer of assistance, counsel and support for the chapter. Parents are invited to join the Council and become more deeply acquainted with one another and take part in their sons' fraternal experience. A Mother-Son Weekend was held in Austin on April 10-12, 2015, and a Father-Son weekend will occur next fall. PIKES ENJOY SOCIAL EVENTS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS The Pike spring social scene is highlighted by the always enjoyable winter-themed party Pikes Peak in late January, a fun Round-Up Weekend in March and our Spring Formal in April, this year to be offsite in San Antonio. In addition to a strong brotherhood, academics remain a priority at the Pike house. The actives' overall GPA is 3.1 per the university's most recent semester rankings, placing our actives 12th of the 27 IFC fraternities at Texas. Fraternities' purpose and behaviors are receiving a great deal of examination nationally upon campuses and in communities. Texas Pikes are committed to scholarship, leadership, athletics and being gentlemen. Beta Mu Chapter joins the international Pike Fraternity in honoring the legacy and vision of our founders especially in tolerance, dignity and respect of all persons, not just across the campus, but in how we lead our lives. Please enjoy this issue of The Beta Mu Review. Beta Mu Celebrates Pi Kappa Alpha's 147th Birthday at Founders' Day B eta Mu Chapter hosted its 95th Founders' Day in Austin on February 28, 2015. Inclement weather forced the cancellation of a golf tournament, but the rain and cold did not deter an evening reception and barbecue dinner at 2400 Leon Street. The chapter hosted a number of alumni and wives for dinner who toasted Pi Kappa Alpha's University of Virginia founding 147 years earlier. Pikes enjoyed reciting the fraternity's preamble, received an update from chapter officers and met the new spring pledges. Introductions were made all around of the alumni, with some colorful remembrances shared over dinner. The Alumni Advisory Board dedicated the 2015 Founders' Day to the memory of recently departed brother Dennis McCleskey '77. Nearly 100 actives and pledges attended the dinner. Among the alumni attendees were Beta Mu Building Corporation President Don Flournoy '66, Alumni Advisory Board members Steve Dunn '73 and Jon Jones '77, and Tom Peel '73, Phillip Braithwaite '87, Steven Sockwell '87, Greg Garner '87, Stratton Borchers '07 and Will Jones '07. Pikes Richard Winfield '87, Todd Quisenberry '86, Carter McCrary '87 and David Clifton '87 reconnected at Founders' Day. Pike External Vice President J.D Swancoat '12 welcomed Lynda and Mark Isensee '77, who travelled in from Houston, for the reception and dinner.

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