Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

www.texaspike.com 4 Beta Mu Chapter Adapts to a Transitional School Year During House Construction Pike's 2020 Centennial on UT Campus Approaches T he Beta Mu Chapter is adapting to change in a big way this fall. e chapter enjoyed a great 2018-19 academic year and moved out of 2400 Leon Street in May. Many actives agreed it was bittersweet to leave a house filled with 67 years of memories from brothers that pledged and built the "old" Texas Pike chapter house. But we are working hard in this transitional year of temporary dislocation, keeping the brotherhood strong and welcoming new fall pledges. See page 6 for a listing of new members. Pike's academic standards remain high with a cumulative spring 2019 GPA of 3.22 (up from 3.18 in fall 2018). is ties Pike with five other UT fraternities for 13th place out of the 24 UT IFC fraternities. Chapter Wins Big at Pike Academy At this summer's Pike Academy in Memphis, Beta Mu picked up numerous awards, including the prestigious Raymond Orians Chapter Excellence Award for the seventh consecutive year. We also took home the Scholarship Plate and the 100 Man Chapter Award. Beta Mu's Alumni Advisory Board also earned its seventh consecutive Alumni Board of the Year Award. President Tommy Waun '17, Treasurer Austin Spingarn '17 and Philanthropy Chairman Quincy Lee '18 have announced a full social and philanthropic calendar for this fall and spring. e University's support in permitting Pike to host Monday night chapter and pledge meetings on campus in the Student Activity Center is greatly appreciated, and a weekly chapter dinner is occurring in local restaurants. As always, Pike will host pre-football game tailgates for all home games in the location shown on page 6 of this newsletter. Events will feature barbecue, burgers and beverages to get us in the Longhorn spirit. Please be sure to join us! Look for the fire truck and burnt orange BBQ trailer. e school year will be filled with philanthropic activities, including a blood drive, canned food drive to fill a new campus food pantry, Movember men's cancer initiative, and the philanthropy committee is developing a new signature event to be introduced in the spring that will benefit Austin's first responder families. Pike will co-host Roundup Weekend with a neighboring fraternity and host several smaller parties and events, including Mom's and Dad's Weekends. 100th Anniversary In 2019, Beta Mu celebrates her 99th year of continuous operation at the University of Texas, and planning is underway to mark the 100th anniversary of Beta Mu's founding in March 2020. Of course, plan for a major new house ribbon-cutting event in August 2020. ere has never been a better time to show your Pi Kappa Alpha pride. Getting to Know Pike President Tommy Waun '17 Beta Mu Review: Tell us where you were born, about your formative years and your family. Tommy Waun: I was born in Dallas but moved with my family several times, as my father's business took him to various postings, before ending up back in Texas. I lived in several states, including California, North Carolina and Illinois, and my parents are now in Austin. It was a great experience growing up and meeting many different types of people. I grew up in a great family of four: my mom, Melanie; dad, Tom; and one older sister, Maddie, an Alpha Phi at UT, who graduated in May 2019 and has joined AT&T in Dallas. I attended high school in downtown Chicago at Saint Ignatius College Prep, which has a challenging Je- suit college prep curriculum. I was quite active in sports, particularly lacrosse, which I've continued to play in Austin on UT's club team, along with several other Pikes. BMR: As an "out-of-state" rushee, how did you come to find Pike and what were the attracting qualities? TW: I pledged Pike in the fall of 2017 and had an awesome experience. e reason I chose Pike over other fraternities was because of the great atmosphere and group of guys that were genuinely interested in getting to know me. I ended up becoming close friends with a lot of those who were also rushing, and they are brothers I'm still very close friends with today. BMR: In addition to your presidency, what other offices have you held with- in Beta Mu? Other clubs or activities at UT-Austin? TW: I have previously served as pledge educator, out-of-state rush captain and rush chairman. I am proud to be a member of Silver Spurs, supporting the University's mascot Bevo XV and the many charitable works of Silver Spurs. And, as previously mentioned, I enjoy being on UT's club lacrosse team. BMR: What are you studying and have you formed career objectives? TW: I am an economics major with a minor in business foundations. My immediate goal is to complete my economics degree in four years at Texas and then attend graduate school for business. BMR: Tell us about the chapter's plans for the school year ahead, with the transition to the new Pike house underway. Next year marks Beta Mu's centennial at UT—any plans in mind? Pike President Tommy Waun '17, a junior who grew up in Chicago but calls Texas home, plays midfield for UT club la- crosse. His sister, Maddie, a May 2019 UT graduate, joins him on the field.

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