Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

5 www.texaspike.com T exas Pike is honored to be amongst Pi Kappa Alpha's most elite. Approaching our centen- nial in 2020, the doors of Beta Mu have never closed in 98 years at e University of Texas at Austin, surviving through the depression and two world wars and absolutely thriving today at one of the country's largest, oldest and most competitive Greek systems. We have consis- tently been a 100-man chapter since the 1950s. Texas Pikes have initiated almost 3,000 men in our history, ranking fih in overall lifetime initiates of all Pike chapters, while not yet being 100 years old. We are consistently in the top third of IFC fraternities on our campus in grade point average. Pikes are involved in leading numerous campus organizations and academic societies. Our oper- ations, finances, recruitment, house management, community service, new member education, health and safety and ritual practices are outstanding. We're grateful for the time and treasure of our dedicated alumni and are grateful for our Alumni Advisory Board and House Corporation for their guidance and new house initiative to begin construction in May 2019. At the July 2018 Convention, we were honored to receive for the sixth successive year the presti- gious Raymond L. Orians Excellence Award and Alumni Advisory Board of the Year award, both of which are granted to the top 10 percent of the fraternity's 240 chapters. e Orians Award eval- uates academics, athletics, philanthropy, finances, recruitment, retention and alumni relations and is presented to only 25 chapters. "We're pleased to receive the Orians Award from our interna- tional office highlighting Beta Mu Chapter's exceptional performance for the fih successive year. We also congratulate our Alumni Advisory Board for being named one of one of the top 25 boards in the fraternity and we are grateful for their support," chapter president Garrett Beirne '16 said. Additionally, at Convention, two of our younger alumni received the Young Alumni of the Year awards. See page four to read more about their recognition. Beta Mu Receives Prestigious International Awards at 150th Pike Convention Beta Mu Chapter is what attracted me to sign my bid in the summer of 2016. I felt welcome at the first event I ever attended. Two of my best friends from high school rushed with me. We all signed during the summer before our college career be- gan and have never looked back. I am grateful for everything this fraternity has done for me and am excited to be able to pay it forward in a leadership position. Q: Before becoming president did you hold other offices or committee memberships in Pike. Other campus activities and honors? A: As a new member, I became our pledge class social chairman. From there I was selected to be the only freshman on the social committee. My freshman summer I served as the Austin area rush captain, moving to the out-of-state region captain as a sophomore. In addition to being a rush captain I was elected to the executive coun- cil as a co-social chairman for my sophomore year. In the spring of my sophomore year I was selected to be a member of the Silver Spurs, a ser- vice organization tasked with the care and trans- portation of Bevo, the university's longhorn mas- cot. Following my sophomore year, I was elected to be president of the Beta Mu Chapter. Q: What are your priorities as Pike president for the 2018-19 school year? A: As president of Pike, I look to maintain the excellence that my predecessors have established for the Beta Mu Chapter. I want to continue to be a step ahead of the risks that can plague fra- ternities. We take health and social matters se- riously; our members deserve it and our parents and alumni demand it. We're having officers take a CPR certification course and having the right risk management plans in place to make sure our members avoid unsafe situations and know what to do in case of emergency. I want to continue to work on growth in rush, sorority relations and academics. As a chapter we are very grateful for all the work the alumni have put in toward the house campaign. As we take a step closer toward a new house it is very important to me to leave a manageable job for the future president, mak- ing sure plans are in place for the chapter to run smoothly in that transition year when we do not have a house. I've enjoyed my first two years in Pike and look forward to my final two years. Q: What are your post-college career plans and goals? A: Post college, I am heavily considering going to law school. I am on the sports and entertain- ment track in advertising right now and want to use that and a law degree to eventually become a sports lawyer. Beta Mu awards from Pike Convention 2018.

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