Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

3 F ollowing a long tradition, Pike welcomed parents to Austin for Pike Parents Weekend September 24-25. Beta Mu President Nathan McDermid '18 said, "It's always a great weekend for parents to see their sons and meet other Pike parents. Even though the Longhorns fell to the Red Raiders, we had great weather and fellowship, and parents enjoyed events at the new house." Families enjoyed a catered dinner at the Pike house on Friday, followed by a Saturday tailgate and game watch party at the house as well as small dinners on the town Saturday evening. Parents stay tuned—Pike Dad's Weekend will be announced for March 2022 and Mom's Weekend is in April 2022. Pikes look forward to having parents back in the spring! Jack Dramberger '18 and his parents (left) and Connor Gartner '18 with his parents (right) at the Parents Weekend dinner joined by fellow seniors and pledge brothers Jack Roberts '18 and Nathan McDermid '18. Beta Mu Hosts Successful Parents Weekend Freshman Walker Powell '21 and his mom, Liz, enjoy their first Pike Parents Weekend. Chapter President Nathan McDermid '18 (center) along with the 2021-22 Pike officer team. Q: Tell us where you were born, about your formative years and your family. A: I was born in California but have spent most of my life in Texas. I spent most of my younger years in Corpus Christi before moving to Tennessee for a few years, then back to Austin where I could be closer to my grandparents, father and two younger half-sisters. I graduated from Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park, where I played tennis and was a member of National Honor Society. Q: What are you studying? Have you formed career objectives? A: I'm studying petroleum engineering with a business minor. My plan is to gain several years of experience as a field engineer, preferably offshore or abroad, as soon as I graduate. After gaining experience in the field, I hope to move to the business or consulting side of the petroleum industry. Q: How did you come to find Pike and what were the attracting qualities? A: I joined fraternity rush late my freshman year. My family being Aggies, I didn't know much about rushing at UT. I was invited to burgers and basketball at the then-old fraternity house to meet the Pikes. It was by far the most fun I'd had at a fraternity rush event that summer. What made Pike the most attractive was the sense of brotherhood shared by all members. New members weren't separated from the old; all ages hung out and enjoyed conversations together. Overall, UT Pike had—and has—the biggest group of friends I had ever seen. Q: In addition to your presidency, what other offices have you held within Beta Mu or in other clubs or activities at UT-Austin? A: I served as an Austin rush captain my sophomore year and as internal vice president my junior year. Outside of Beta Mu, I've served as an engineering ambassador through the Cockrell School of Engineering and social chairman for the petroleum engineering student organization Frac Pac, and I participate actively in SPE and AADE petroleum engineering student organizations. Q: What are your hobbies and outside interests? A: I enjoy the outdoors. In the winter, I hunt whitetail deer at a family ranch in West Texas, and in the summer, I fish for red snapper offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. I also like getting outside around Austin at the many trails and swimming holes around the city. Q: Who are the four guests you would invite to a fantasy dinner party? A: Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, President John F. Kennedy, and my late father. Q: What are your priorities in the year ahead for the chapter? What is the one thing you want to be known for/remembered for as Pike president? A: My top two priorities this year for Beta Mu are to increase our philanthropic efforts and maintain value for everyone in the chapter. I hope to extend beyond the social aspect of being a fraternity and help members excel in their college career. I would like to be remembered as a fair president who ran the chapter with open dialogue where every member could be heard. Q: The COVID-19 pandemic has rescinded a bit, allowing for fuller use of the house for events, philanthropy and the like this year. Tell us about chapter plans for the year, including social, new member programming and brotherhood activities. A: Thankfully, we have been able to return to almost completly normal and continue to promote the health and well-being of our members and guests. After two years, we can now enjoy some of our biggest events, such as traveling up to Dallas for the TX/OU Red River Rivalry weekend recently, celebrating with our families during Parents Weekend, networking with alumni on Alumni Weekend and our annual Round Weekend in the spring. We have had a great fall pledge class; these members have learned a lot about what it means to be a Pike as a scholar, leader, athlete and gentleman during the new, 30-day onboarding period. Getting to Know 2021-22 Pike President Nathan McDermid '18 Pi Kappa Alpha www.texaspike.com

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