The Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house on Harrison Boulevard will be reopening its doors this spring.

Pi Kappa Phi is returning to Oregon State

Looking for recruits, former OSU fraternity will reopen thanks

By: Candice Ruud

Posted: 5/7/08

The big white mansion on Northwest 21st Street and Northwest Harrison Boulevard, known for its well-lit room full of paddles, has been in hibernation for some time and is just now beginning to wake up.

Pi Kappa Phi is returning as an active OSU fraternity this spring, as leadership consultants Jake Henderson, Michael Larsson and Walt Pape recruit founding fathers for the fraternity's reinstatement.

All three men are college graduates who were Pi Kappa Phi brothers at their respective universities and were recruited for the full-time job of opening up chapters across the country.

Currently, the three are the only people living in the big house while they search for young men who portray strong leadership skills to bring Pi Kappa Phi back to Oregon State with class and style.

OSU's chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity originated on campus in 1924, and according to its website, the fraternity itself was founded Dec. 10, 1904, at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.

The three leadership consultants are currently engaged in a five-week process making presentations to announce their newly revived existence to OSU and the Corvallis community.

According to Henderson, who graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005, the fraternity aims to have at least 30 founding fathers enlisted by the end of this week.

Pi Kappa Phi is the only national fraternity with its own philanthropy, Push America, which is geared toward serving people with disabilities.

This philanthropy also aims to help members of the fraternity achieve life-long reputations of serving their community.

One of Push America's proudest fundraising projects, the Journey of Hope, sees over 100 Pi Kappa Phi brothers from across the nation cycling in a cross-country tour that lasts 64 days over the course of the summer.

One of its major goals is to increase understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities.

Pi Kappa Phi is recruiting young men who are able and willing to represent what they deem "men of CLASS" - character, leadership, academics, sportsmanship and service.

"We provide the most undergraduate programs for our members," Henderson said.

Kyle Harper, a freshman in business who is considering becoming a Pi Kappa Phi brother, says that he is currently deciding between this fraternity and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He was drawn to Pi Kappa Phi by the opportunity to be a founding father of the reinstatement of this chapter of the fraternity.

While the leadership consultants declined to comment on why the fraternity was initially closed, they are excited and ready to begin a new chapter and feel like they have had much success thus far.

The infamous paddles, Larsson said, were given to brothers who graduated with good standing or honorable mention, as a trophy of sorts for their hard work and dedication during their time as Pi Kappa Phi brothers and OSU students.

The first official chapter meeting of Pi Kappa Phi will be held May 12.

For more information, visit PiKapp.org or e-mail oregonstate@pikapp.org.

Candice Ruud, senior reporter

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231