I am going to let you in on a little secret, I am in a fraternity. I surprised you didn’t I? That’s probably because me, and my fraternity, we are different. Yes, I fully understand “different” seems to be cliché in the fraternity world…but hear me out before you judge me.
I would like to introduce you to Pi Kappa Phi. First and foremost, I want to clarify that I am in a fraternity, not a frat. I am a fraternity member, not a frat boy, there is a distinct difference. I am not here to downgrade any other fraternity, but to state the facts and truths about mine which set us apart.
Every fraternity has a mission, we don’t just talk about ours…we live it. Pi Kappa Phi’s mission is “We Will Lead.” On the campus of Arizona State University you cannot step foot in a building where Pi Kapp leaders are not making a difference. The current student government President O’Kelly, and the hopeful currently campaigning future president Corrigan both proudly represent ΠΚΦ. The Greek Council last year was run by Brice Kohara, another proud Pi Kapp, and The Resident Hall Association is run by Will Aja and loaded with Pi Kapps like Brian Kehoe and Peter Chang...Pi Kapp’s are leaders by choice.
Every fraternity gives back to some sort of philanthropy, Pi Kappa Phi is the only fraternity in the United States that owns and operates its own non-profit organization, Push America. Pi Kapp is building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today. Journey of Hope is a bike ride across America to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. My roommate Cody Compau personally raised $5,000 and rode his bike a total of 4,000 miles. My good friend Tyler Quinn spent 7 weeks of his summer building amenities at camps for people with disabilities for the Push American program called Build America.
I would love to elaborate on the best part of fraternity, the brotherhood, but it isn’t that siple. Brotherhood is beautiful in its shared meaning, and unfortunately that shared meaning is created and known only by the people associated with that fraternity. Whether it be Pi Kappa Phi, or any other fraternity on campus, I encourage you to give it a shot.
Pi Kapp doesn’t haze. Period. Rather than wasting energy on mutilating, degrading, and hazing associate members, we instead reinforce our values as men of CLASS by bringing them together through raising funds and awareness for Push America.
Some fraternities claim they are one of the fastest growing in the country, Pi Kappa Phi is the fastest growing fraternity in the country with 14 new chapters a year.
Being a gentleman is a word commonly associated with fraternity, but Pi Kapp truly takes that to heart. Chivalry is incredibly important to Pi Kapp, and it shows. Myself, and Brother David Jude were 2 of the 10 men selected to the 2010 ASU Gentlemen’s Showcase by the Network of Enlightened Women. The ASU chapter actually created its own event, now held every April, called Miss Push America Ambassadorial Competition. Miss Push is like Miss America, but Miss Push is crowned by the audience voting on who will best spread awareness for Push America. This year’s Miss Push will be April 21st at Tempe Center For the Arts, and I may even have the honor of hosting it!
I am very selective with anything that I associate with my life, whether it be women, friends, clubs, or interests. Time and time again people will realize that I am in a fraternity and look at me in shock. Don’t judge someone without hearing their story first ; )
Keep your head up like your nose is bleedin'
TJF
