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Pi Kappa Alpha moves into new house
By Rob Krieger
When most people step outside the house to search for something to cool their beverages, they usually don’t return with houses worth over a quarter-million dollars. This is not the case with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
The Pi Kappa Alphas, more commonly known as Pike, have just moved into a new house on Fraternity Lane. The house is not new to LSU. It is the only establishment on campus built by the famous architect Haystown and the former Sigma Alpha Epsilon House.
In March the Pike’s ice machine broke, so they went out to search for a used machine. They knew there was one in the old Sigma Alpha Epsilon house so they tried to buy the machine, but the current owner decided it would be a good idea to lump the house in with the machine. The Pikes had been looking for a way to boost the fraternity and decided it would be a good idea to purchase the house.
“We have been looking for a catalyst to boost membership in the fraternity,” said Chris Adams, Alpha Gamma Chapter Alumni President. The fraternity is the biggest in the country and has many chapters that weld up to 250 members at a time. Yet the LSU chapter is not as large and Adams and the National Organization have wanted to give the LSU chapter a chance to increase its membership.
“We saw this as a golden opportunity and grabbed it as soon as we could,” said Adams. The Pike’s are currently selling their former house to the Sigma Alpha Sorority as their first house.
“The chapter’s job right now is to build the membership to about 75 to 100 members,” said Adams. While they increase their membership, the fraternity has a Capitol Fundraising Campaign organizing fundraising ideas and donations to pay for the house and future renovations to be done to the house.
“The stereotype of Greek housing is just wrong,” said Mark Clark, House Director. That is why the Pike’s are trying to change that stereotype with their new house.
“This is not going to be an animal house--this will be a showcase house,” said Adams, “We want the chancellor to walk into the house in a year or two and be impressed by the immaculate condition it is in.”
“Since moving into the house on Wednesday, August 20th, the attitude has changed in the fraternity,” said Clark. Clark and Adams said they look forward to a pledge class of about 20 quality men.
The Pikes are very excited about their new house with renovation for the near future, including a large study area, computer lab area and a wireless networking system. They are looking forward to their November 1st ceremony, which will cater to 100 alumni and a blessing of the house.
As the days got hotter and the Pike’s drinks got warmer, they were excited to finally use their new ice machine, but after moving in they found out that it too was broken. After having it fixed the Pikes found the ending to be ironic, yet very happy.
This article was originally posted on September 4, 2003
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