Pi Kappa Alpha - University of Texas

www.texaspikes.com 4 I n a response to the troubling national trends and four recent tragic fraternity deaths across the country, alumni leaders from leading UT fraternities have caucused since mid- 2017 in Austin to organize the Fraternity Alumni Council of Texas (FACT). e FACT coalition will serve as a unified voice to align with and support the Interfraternity Council, individual chapters and the University of Texas administra- tion in ensuring a long-term, stable and sustainable Greek system at UT. FACT is a voluntary association that will respect individual chapter autonomy and standards, while es- pousing best practices and principles for member fraternities to utilize. FACT's membership is composed of alumni chapter advisers, house corporation board members and alumni board members. Along with Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha Order, Sigma Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni boards, Pi Kappa Alpha has been a key organizer of the initiative. Russ Keene '80 represents PIKE to FACT and serves as its board secretary. Russ said, "PIKE certainly has—and most of the other UT frater- nities have—evolved in thinking, programming, operations and reputation, as well as being appropriately attentive to all important health and safety issues. Alumni are committed to new standards for all fraternities, noting the old adage about one bad apple spoiling the barrel. We're told FACT is a first of its kind association and may lead to replication on other campuses dedicated to preserving the traditions and ideals of Greek life." FACT was formally launched with 21 founding fraternity alumni groups on January 25 in Austin. PIKE is pleased to support the FACT initiative of preserving the storied 130-year-old Texas Greek system, while ensur- ing the system is a relevant yet respectful member of the broader campus community, providing a meaningful, lifelong brotherhood experience for Pike Co-Founds New Coalition of UT Fraternity Alumni Leaders to Enhance, Support Greek Life Fraternity alumni and chapter leaders launched FACT on January 25, hosted in SigEp's indoor gym. FACT intends to work closely with the Interfraternity Council to improve the environment for Greek life at UT. Pike President Parker Morris '15 (upper right) joins IFC officers at the FACT launch, including Pike's Landon Hackley '16 (cen- ter le), who is IFC VP of philanthropy. Tom Peel '73, Kent Woodard '69, Jim McIngvale '70 and Randy Stout '70 enjoyed being at Gallery Furniture. the young men choosing to join fraternities and preserving the legacy of fraternities at Texas for years to come. Visit www.FACTexas.org to learn more and follow FACT's Facebook page, Fraternity Alumni Council of Texas, for updates. Beta Mu Celebrates 150th Founders' Day with Houston Reception B eta Mu's #PIKE150 Founders' Day celebration on March 1 in Houston was a great success, with more than 60 brothers and spouses enjoy- ing an evening of brotherhood at Gallery Furniture's showroom. anks to Brother Jim McIngvale '70 for hosting and for special guest Congressman Brian Babin '68 and his wife, Roxanne, for attending during a rare evening "off " from official and campaign duties. Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale '70 was presented with e Generosity of Spirit award, recognizing his many years of community largess and philanthropy. Jim espouses the best of Pike values, which are based on friendship and love for mankind, respect for others and service. anks to Randy Stout '70, Tom Peel '73, Mack Gib- son '67 and Doug Phelan '65 for managing the event's logistics. Pikes from the 1960s to the 2000s attended. Sighted in the crowd were Kim and Barry Adkins '73, Ben Brow- er '12, Cinco Cocke '80, Jeff Daugherty '10, Pat and Stuart Ford '76, Felix Gaulke '11, Bill Gump '73, Rick Jackson '83, Shari and Bill Lakenmacher '82, Jay Lucas '76, Bruce McDonald '82, Jay Messer '69, Doug Phelan '65, Matt Phelan '09, Stuart Skloss '84, Chad Smith '05, Rusty Tamlyn '75, Ross Vaughan '79, Will Wakefield '12, John Wallace '78, Tyler Weido '12, and many others. It is said that "Pike shapes young men, and they go as men to shape the world." Cheers to another 150 years of our special brotherhood!

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