Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia on March 1, 1868. At the time, UVA was the fifth largest school in the U.S. and is considered to be the first truly American state university established without religious control.
An Opportunity To Become Part of The Best
Membership in Pi Kappa Alpha gives students the opportunity to make the most of their college experience. Perhaps the best opportunity that Pi Kappa Alpha provides is the ability to cultivate a socially superior man.
Pi Kappa Alpha challenges its members to be the pillars of integrity and beacons of success on their college campuses and within their communities. Pikes experience what it means to be involved and responsible individuals who promote community services, active campus involvement, and high standards of academic achievement.
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The Bottom Line
Pi Kappa Alpha enhances the collegiate experience while providing a lifetime of opportunity and reward. Its legacy demands nothing less than excellence
PI KAPPA ALPHA - NATIONALLY
Fast Facts
Nickname is PIKE; members are known as Pikes
Over 275,000 lifetime initiates &
16,000 undergraduate
members
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
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Shield & Diamond
March 1, 1868
Founded at the
University of Virginia
OFFICIAL COLORS
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Garnet & Gold
FULL TIME STAFF
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37 employees and 12 chapter consultants
220+
Chapters and Colonies across the United States & Canada
OFFICIAL FLOWER
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Lily-of-the-Valley
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
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Jack Lucas &
Louis B. Wilson
Pi Kappa Alpha consists of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen.
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Pi Kappa Alpha is continuously working hard to find men who want to be champions, men who are dedicated to a common vision.
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SCHOLARS
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Pi Kappa Alpha realizes that students enroll in college, first and foremost, to get a quality education. Consistent with this philosophy, the Fraternity places a strong emphasis on scholarship and on educating our members both inside and outside of the classroom. Through minimum GPA standards, mentor programs, educational programming and Pike University events, members are equipped to excel academically.
The Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation offers over $165,000 to our undergraduate members through more than 120 national and local scholarship programs. Below are just a few examples of some of the scholarships that are available to all of our members:
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The Robertson Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award
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The R. Craig Hoenshell Honor Society Award
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Pike University Scholarships for every chapter
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Paid tuition to the Boulder Outdoor Survivor School
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Over 100 local scholarships through chapter endowments
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LEADERS
The Fraternity provides a valuable arena for developing and honing leadership skills that will benefit the individual member throughout his life. In addition, Pi Kappa Alpha promotes leadership through campus involvement, by encouraging its members to take on positions of leadership in other organizations.
By being members of one of the largest fraternal organizations in North America, our members are provided the opportunity to not only gain elite leadership experience while in college, but to network with our highly successful alumni in their post-graduate careers.
Pike University is North America’s premier fraternal leadership training program. Its objective is to develop and conduct leadership, management, and personal development programs in a manner that prepares its members for success in life. There are 12 or more leadership and educational conferences hosted by Pike University each year.
With curriculum rivaling the caliber of any corporate training program, Pike University teaches brothers to be better leaders today – and better and more principled leaders in society in the years ahead.
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ATHLETES
Pi Kappa Alpha believes that athletic competition can provide valuable benefits to
college students, because it encourages young men to challenge each other and to perform
at their highest levels. Pi Kappa Alpha is dedicated to inspiring its members to compete and
push themselves in everything they do.
We believe that through athletic competition, we will build teamwork skills fundamental to
success in the business world, bolster unity within the chapter, contribute to the physical and
mental health of our members, and improve the quality of the overall college experience.
Competition breeds excellence – in the classroom, on the playing fields, and in our daily lives.
GENTLEMEN
Pi Kappa Alpha is dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect, and high moral character and to fostering a truly lifelong fraternal experience. Six exemplary gentlemen founded Pi Kappa Alpha in 1868 as a way to build friendships based on common values. Today we continue in their tradition by recruiting quality gentlemen that respect themselves, their peers, and their communities, as stated in our True Pike values.
Members of the Fraternity are taught proper social skills and etiquette through membership development programs, and given the opportunity to practice these skills at social events such as mixers, exchanges, and formals.
In addition to the social aspect of being a gentleman, members are strongly encouraged to participate in the numerous community service and philanthropy opportunities presented by our chapters. Pi Kappa Alpha believes that a commitment to service is a crucial part of developing as a young man.
“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.”
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-Dr. Stephen R. Covey (Utah, Alpha Tau ’50), Author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
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– Steve Prefontaine (Oregon, Gamma Pi ’70), Track and Field Hall of Fame
“Character is definitely the most important attribute that a young man possesses.”
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-Bobby Bowden (Samford, Alpha Pi ’49), College Football Coaching Legend
“I strongly benefited from the broad range of leadership experiences I received as president of my PIKE chapter.”
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-Jeff Taylor (UMass, Theta Mu ’79), Founder and Former CEO of Monster.com
Prominent Pikes
Tim McGraw
Country Music Artist
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Edward A. Pease
Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, Rolls-Royce N.A., Inc.
Kent Bazemore
Professional Basketball Player, Atlanta Hawks
Michael Dublin
CEO, Co-Founder Dollar Shave Club
Scott Van Pelt
ESPN Anchor
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Bobby Bowden
Retired Head Football Coach, Florida State
EJ Manuel
NFL Quarterback
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S. Truett Cathy
Founder/CEO, Chick-Fil-A
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Eric A. Stonestreet
Professional Actor