History of Pi Kappa Alpha
When
Sunday Evening, March 1, 1868
Where
University of Virginia
West Range, Room 47
Who
Robertson Howard, Julian Edward Wood, James Benjamin Sclater Jr, Frederick Southgate Taylor, Littleton Waller Tazewell (Bradford),and William Alexander
It all started in Room 47 West Range when Frederick Southgate Taylor turned to Littleton Waller Tazewell, his cousin and roommate, for help in starting a new fraternity. Also present was James Benjamin Sclater, Jr., a schoolmate of Tazewell, and Sclater's roommate Robertson Howard. Those four men voted to add a fifth to their group and chose Julian Edward Wood. Although history is unclear, William Alexander, probably a friend of Sclater, Jr., was proposed for membership and was admitted as a founder. The first initiate was Augustus Washington Knox.
The essence of the Founders' vision for Pi Kappa Alpha can be found in its Preamble. A committee was first suggested by Brother William Alexander "to draw up a statement of the origin and the organization of the Fraternity." The committee was composed of brothers Robertson Howard and Littleton Waller Tazewell. The resulting statement is now referred to as the Preamble.
"For the establishment of friendship on a firmer and more lasting basis,
for the promotion of brotherly love and kind feeling; for the mutual benefit and advancement of the interests of those with whom we sympathize and deem worthy of our regard; we have resolved to form a fraternity, believing that thus we can most successfully accomplish our object."
Robertson Howard
Julian Edward Wood
James Benjamin Sclater, Jr.
Fredrick Southgate Taylor
Littleton Waller Tazewell (Bradford)
William Alexander
Kappa Pi Chapter History
The Greek tradition at USD was, is and always will be strong; in the fall of 1995, that tradition became stronger. Two men from Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Headquarters came to USD and began recruiting for a new colony chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha. By November 5, 1995, thirty-five young men were banded together to form this Pi Kappa Alpha colony.
After only two years of organization and effort, the colony passed inspection, having completed over 3,400 hours of community service and established a cumulative GPA of 3.09. On March 15, 1997, forty-eight men were initiated, and the new chapter was granted its Charter as Kappa Pi Chapter. And so began the legacy of tradition and excellence on The University of South Dakota's campus.
Pi Kappa Alpha stands as a strong force on The U's campus, leading the way in philanthropy, academics, athletics, and campus involvement.
Some Famous Pi Kappa Alphas include:
Tim McGraw (Country Music Star)
Jon Stewart (Television Talk Show Host)
Jeffrey T. Dunn (COO and Sr. Vice President, Coca-Cola Americas)
Donald T. Regan (Former White House Chief of Staff)
Gus Frerotte (Quarterback, St.Louis Rams)
Kyle Orton (Quarterback, Chicago Bears)
Horace Grant (NBA player, Chicago Bulls)
Ted Koppel (T.V. Personality)
Scott Van Pelt (ESPN Sportscenter Anchor)
Jeremy Piven (actor, Entourage)
Cody Hanson and Joe Garvey (Musicians, Hinder)
Stephen Nichols (T.V. Personality, MTV Real World)
At Pi Kappa Alpha, we are
Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, Gentlemen.