Pi Kappa Alpha - Mississippi State University

FIREMAN The newsletter for alumni and friends of Gamma Theta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at Mississippi State University THE Spring 2025 I n s i d e : B u i l d i n g o n S u c c e s s p. 2 • C h a p t e r O f f i c e r s p. 3 • I n T h e i r O w n Wo r d s p. 3 • S e t h E s s n e r ' 1 7 S p o t l i g h t p. 4 W ell, the 2024-25 academic year has ended, and I would like to reflect on a year marked by growth, achievement, and unwavering brotherhood. From the heat of August to the close of this spring semester, PIKE has continued to live out its commitment to leadership, service, and excellence. Our fall semester began with an exceptional recruitment effort that brought in a strong group of new members. This pledge class proved to be one of the most promising in recent years, integrating quickly into the chapter through involvement in campus activities, academic success, chapter leadership, and dedication to fraternity life. Philanthropy and service were at the heart of the chapter's efforts this year. The chapter raised funds through its annual Fireman's Challenge event to benefit the local Starkville Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Brothers also volunteered for and participated in many campus-wide and community-wide events, contributing more than 1,600 collective community service hours (which was just shy of their per-member goal). Even More Service _____________ Some of the events this year were the Kappa Sig Charity Bowl, where PIKE helped raise over $500,000 for the Reclaimed Project, which provides clean drinking water sources and sustainability for villages in rural Africa. PIKE and Tri Delta hosted a fundraiser for pediatric cancer research at St. Jude to honor a brother who is now battling cancer. The chapter also hosted a Greek worship night at the chapter house; every chapter on campus participated. Academically, Gamma Theta continued to raise the bar. The chapter finished the fall and spring semesters with a collective GPA that ranked among the top fraternities at MSU. Academic support programs, including study halls and peer tutoring, played a significant role in helping brothers thrive in the classroom. The social calendar was packed with memorable events like the annual alumni party in the fall, Homecoming celebrations, baseball game cookouts, spring parents and alumni parties, and formal in New Orleans. These events helped strengthen the bonds within the chapter and kept alumni actively involved in PIKE life. Leadership continued to be a hallmark of Gamma Theta's identity. Brothers held leadership positions in organizations such as the Student Association, IFC, and campus clubs. Several alumni have joined our Alumni Advisory Board this year to help mentor undergraduates and even offer career advice to upperclassmen and graduating seniors. As the chapter prepares for the upcoming year, there's a strong sense of pride in what's been accomplished. The 2024-25 year was not only about strengthening the fraternity internally but also about making a lasting impact on the Mississippi State and Starkville communities. What's Next? __________________ This year also marked the beginning of a significant project at the chapter house: the replacement of the two iconic oak trees that have long stood as symbols of the chapter's strength and tradition. After decades of providing shade and serving as a backdrop for countless memories, the trees were determined to have a disease that is ultimately detrimental to their survival. In their place, the chapter is looking at planting two new live oaks, ensuring that future generations of brothers will continue to share in that same sense of place and history. This will be a major undertaking to remove the existing trees and identify and move in two replacements. Work on this project is expected to begin this fall and will hopefully be completed in the summer of 2026. Looking ahead, the chapter has begun early planning for a once-in-a-lifetime milestone: Gamma Theta's centennial celebration in 2027. With a century of brotherhood, leadership, and tradition to honor, we are hoping to put together a special committee to work on ideas for a large-scale reunion weekend, alumni recognition events, and a historical display commemorating the chapter's rich legacy at Mississippi State. The centennial will not only celebrate the past but also set the tone for Gamma Theta's future—stronger, prouder, and more united than ever. Fraternally, Jay Cook '02 House Corporation President jaycook@bankcom.com (662) 418-9605 Brothers come together in support of Taze Fulford '23 (front and center), who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Many brothers took part in shaving their heads in support of Taze and his battle with cancer. All the proceeds from this philanthropy event were sent to St. Jude in honor of Taze. SOWING NEW SEEDS Gamma Theta Prepares for Another Great Year

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