|
Two Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology fraternities have earned national recognition for their members’ campus and community accomplishments, and management of their chapter houses during the 2007-08 school year.
The Gamma Gamma chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity is the first recipient of the national ATO organization’s Roadshow Competition, based on outstanding campus achievements, community involvement and student accomplishments. The award will be presented at the organization’s upcoming national convention.
Meanwhile, the Iota Delta chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha received the House of the Quarter Award from the national organization for exceptional housing management practices of the historic fraternity house.
Spotlighting fraternity goodwill, the ATO Roadshow competition awards points to each collegiate chapter on the basis of members’ accomplishments, chapter community service projects and involvement in campus activities. Each reported accomplishment by a student could be worth five points. Ten points were awarded for
accomplishments reported by ATO alumni, faculty members or community residents. Positive media coverage also was worth 10 points per chapter mention.
On two occasions in 2007-08, Rose-Hulman’s chapter was featured on ATO’s Roadshow webcast. Thomas Reives, a 2008 mechanical engineering graduate, was the focus of a Tau 2 Watch segment about outstanding student-athletes. He was an Academic All-American in football and track, while also serving as a Gamma Gamma chapter
officer. The campus’ annual Greek Night basketball game, organized by ATO members, was also highlighted in a separate segment. Each mention was worth 30 or more points.
|
|
|
Historic Landmark: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Pi Kappa Alpha converted the old Glenn Home orphanage into a fraternity house for at least 60 members. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
Rose-Hulman topped the ATO Roadshow competition for 2007-08 with 1,415 points, ranking ahead of the University of Alabama-Huntsville, 1,395 points; University of Maryland, 950; Iowa State University, 830; and Ohio State University, 825. Other colleges in the top 10 were Oklahoma State University; Widener University;
Kansas State University; Duquesne University; and Illinois State University.
Rose-Hulman’s Gamma Gamma ATO chapter was founded in 1894 and was the first fraternity to build a house on campus. The chapter has been awarded the nation’s best chapter award for 19 years. Current officers include Matthew Bryant, president; Brian Kiraly, vice president; Brian Yount, chaplain; Andrew Meiers, treasurer;
Andrew Emly, secretary; Michael Burris, risk management; Bob Warden, historian; and Kyle Beaty, public relations coordinator.
Pi Kappa Alpha’s Iota Delta chapter manages a house and other special use facilities built in 1903 which were part of former Glenn Home orphanage, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and located on 23 acres at 7140 Wabash Ave. One building on the property is over 100 years old. There is also a
newly-renovated gymnasium with a full basketball court, three old residence buildings, a boiler house and a social hall. Maintaining these facilities are a house manager and members of the fraternity’s house management team. The group determines house duties, orders supplies and organizes an annual work day each spring
to make minor repairs.
In 2007-08, the chapter created a new Weekday Workday Wednesdays program, along with twice weekly house cleaning duties. Several major improvements were also made, including repainting all public areas in the house, refinishing the basketball court floor, construction of a ritual closet and granite-topped brick grill,
replacing gravel on the parking lot, and preparing one residence area for extensive renovation. The fraternity is currently developing a strategic plan for the future of the property.
“Every Pi Kappa Alpha member takes great pride in their house and grounds, which is evident in the condition of the facility,” noted Pi Kappa Alpha’s national real estate department in the making the House of the Quarter Award. The statement continued: “Due to the diligence of the undergraduate members and dedicated
alumni, Iota Delta's housing situation at Rose-Hulman continues to improve, which will offer the campus a visual representation of the chapter that more closely aligns with the quality of men it contains.”
Rose-Hulman’s chapter will receive a plaque, a $250 grant and becomes eligible for the House of the Year Award, which is presented at the national convention later this summer.
Pi Kappa Alpha is one of the strongest international social fraternities with over 240 chapters in North America. Rose-Hulman’s Iota Delta chapter was established in 1986 and has shown a strong presence in interfraternity competitions, campus organizations and service to campus and community. Current chapter offices
include Whitney Zimmerman, president; James Wilkerson, internal vice president; Johnathan Sullivan, external vice president; Aaron Bauer, secretary; Jonathan Kellerman, campus involvement; Jarrett Waters, social chair; Sean Cody, community service; and Brandon Finan, public relations.
Check out more information about the Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternities: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/users/groups/AlphaTauOmega/
http://www.pi-kappa-alpha.net/
| 
