Strongest chapters?

[KEPike]

If we are discussing current strength, then the chapters at Nebraska-Lincoln, Missouri-Rolla, Wayne State in Michigan, Louisiana-Monroe and Tulsa have all been good for many years and continue to this day.

Ditto that over the 20th century, competing with Auburn, Florida, Tennessee and FSU is difficult.

Today, there are generally 30-35 chapters that consistently compete for and win awards on the International level and are all considered the best or second best fraternity on campus. Perhaps an argument could be made that within each of the 16 "super regions" there are 1-3 top chapters. If you were to look at a list of the Excellence Award winners within Pike, this would probably represent the chapters I am discussing. The majority of the chapters discussed in this thread fall into this category, either in this past year, or at least within the last 5 years (if they were closed) or so.

[Firehouse]

I forgot Rockhurst: leaders from inception. Sorry, it's late. I was looking at a map; there are lots of smaller schools where we're always been strong, like Stephen F. Austin, and Southwestern, and Wofford, Missouri-Rolla (not really a small school), and IVYs like Penn and Duke.
I'll tell you one that stays under the radar for some reason: Penn State. It's an old chapter, Beta Alpha, but they've always been a leader on a campus with 55 fraternities. Maybe not Smythe winners, but always among the best on campus, and cool guys.

[KSUPIKE]

As of right know we are about 105-110 men strong, thats including our spring pledges. A pledge brother and myself are currently the Recruitment Chairman, and we are looking for a very strong fall pledge class 30-40 men should not be difficult and if we are persistant who knows. I like to think big, while keeping the quality of man very high. The History of Alpha Omega is quite interesting in the past 10 years.

About 98-99 Nationals came and reduced our nearly 100+ man chapter to I believe about a 25-35 man house. This was due to drug problems within the house. Then we ran on rougher times when the house had an electrical fire in 2000. I think my numbers are all off by one year, but not exactly sure. My pledge class in fall of 2004 has been the one that has really dominated the house in the past 2-3 years. We went from about a 65 man house to 110 in a few years, and we have maintained it. Issues concerning drugs are taken very, very seriously. We have kicked two guys out since I've been here. Currently 4 of the 7 Exec positions are held by Fall 04 pledge members. We have made alot of changes and things look to be going good for us. But we are not settling for mediocrity. We feel that we are very strong at Kansas State, ranked only 2nd in terms of Awards from Greek Affairs. (We Came in Second to Farmhouse). But that will all change this year. We will be Number 1 with the programs we have implemented. And we see no reason that PIKE should not dominate Kansas State.

We always look up to Alpha Kappa as what we want to model our house after, although there in a much different campus setting than we are.

[3168]

well these responses confirmed my thoughts.

I'm a Zeta. University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

[Firehouse]

I just saw your new website, Zeta. Very nice! What's the status of the new house?

[3168]

construction has been postponed for another year, which is really not a problem for most people outside of alumni who want a nicer house.

all the actives are content.

[1868Always]

I wouldn't put us down as one of the strongest chapters of TTKA overall, but Gamma Kappa has done a commendable job on the Montana State - Bozeman campus. Currently with membership in the upper fifties and growing, triple digits is not out of the question for the next couple of years. We also hold 3 out of 4 ASMSU senate seats, and over the past four years have been home to the ASMSU President twice and ASMSU Vice-President twice. Campus of 12,000 undergrad, but Greeks are less than 5%. Biggest house on campus with Sigma Chi right behind us.

[Firehouse]

You'll have to get details from the Zeta chapter man. However, what I saw was a capital campaign bruchure illustrating a proposed massive rennovation and reconfiguration of their home. I would imagine that all the houses on that UT row are solid for the long term.

[3168]

The University decided a few years ago that they wanted to renovate Fraternity row, so they told each house that they would have to renovate within a certian time period.

Sigma Chi, Phi Sig, ATO, and Fiji all have started or completed some renovations.

A few years ago we had all the money we needed to re-model our house, but then Katrina hit and we donated a majority of the money for reconstruction.

The house is fine, it's a little dirty, but we like it.