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The undergraduates would like to take this opportunity to thank the Alumni Advisory Board, Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Headquarters Staff and Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Washington State University, who are all working closely with the Chapter and setting clear expectations and milestones to achieve re-recognition. In the last couple of weeks WSU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has initiated discussions with the Chapter about a return to recognition next year. While we technically aren't eligible to apply for re-recognition until 2017, I'm very pleased with the progress we are making. Some recent highlights from the Fall 2016 semester include the following:
Fall 2016 Recruitment
The Fall 2016 Semester pledge class includes 19 potential new members (see below photo of majority of Pledge Class). I'm also very pleased to report that 39 men are living in the house (up from 23 last spring), and a total of 65 PIKES are on campus.
Scholarship
The Chapter delivered strong scholarship results for the Spring 2016 Semester, with an overall average GPA of 2.95, an increase over the Fall 2015 Semester GPA of 2.90. Congratulations to Josh May, Kempton Snyder, Kyle Laubscher, Sean Grim and Derek Telin for delivering the top 5 GPAs for the Spring 2016 semester.
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Member |
GPA |
Year |
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Josh May |
3.75 |
Senior |
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Kempton Snyder |
3.67 |
Sophomore |
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Kyle Laubscher |
3.62 |
Junior |
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Sean Grim |
3.56 |
Senior |
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Derek Telin |
3.48 |
Senior |
Philanthropy
This Fall Gamma Xi was recognized by the College Hill Neighborhood Association for the community service project we completed on Saturday, April 2, 2016. We cleaned-up litter around the Missouri Flat Creek and College Hill Climb paths, as well landscaped around the College Hill sign. Over 180 volunteers hours were contributed during the event.
For our next philanthropy, we will be hosting the Taylor Trudeau Cycle for Life on Wednesday, November 16th. The Taylor Trudeau Cycle for Life established itself as a grassroots organization and currently is the philanthropy of choice for over 130 Pi Kappa Alpha chapters. The Taylor Trudeau Cycle for Life was created in memory of a fallen Pi Kappa Alpha brother, Taylor Trudeau (New Hampshire, Gamma Mu '04). Taylor passed away in August 2008 after a year-long battle with Leukemia. The Cycle for Life is a stationary cycling event that was founded by the brothers of the Gamma Mu Chapter at the University of New Hampshire. The first event was held shortly after Taylor’s death, and despite the last minute organization—the event raised $4,000. In the second year, the Cycle for Life raised $11,000, and at the third annual, held in November 2010, $16,000 was raised. All funds raised are donated directly to research. More recently, through the collective efforts of 70 chapters, $250,000 was donated to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. This directly funded research seeking to cure Leukemia. Most recently, a clinical trial supported by this research helped to save the life of a 20-year old young man. Additionally, in recognition of this grant, the pediatric oncology waiting room at MD Anderson Cancer Center is named, “The Pi Kappa Alpha Taylor Trudeau Cycle for Life Waiting Area". Gamma Xi will have 13 stationary bikes setup in the house and charge $10 for 10 minutes of biking. We have begun taking flat donations already and the link to make a donation is https://www.taylorcycleforlife.org/campaign/washington-state-university-2016/.
Athletics
This Fall has been a fun time for Pike athletics. We have multiple teams participating in the intramural football and basketball leagues. Our members have their sights on the Fall bringing another Championship to Gamma Xi.
Chapter House Renovations
We are very proud to announce that improvements to the Phil Lighty Alumni Room and Sidwell Collins Library were completed over the summer. Additionally, improvements to the Dining Room, including new flooring, a breakfast serving area, off-hour snack and meal area and wall paint are near completion (see below photos).
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