Garnet & Gold Chapter 1: PIKE History

Ode to Pledge Background

Robert D. Lynn. Presbyterian College, Mu '31.

FIVE founded in the Southern Commonwealth of Virginia

PIKE, ATO, Kappa Alpha Order, KapSig, SNU

When was PIKE founded?

March 1, 1868

Where was PIKE founded?

Room 47 West Range, University of Virginia

Importance of Sundays

Sundays were generally the only day of the week students had free for individual activities, so the fraternity had their secret meetings

Frederick Southgate Taylor

First founder. Selected the fraternity's name and presided over the first convention in 1874. Law major.

Littleton Waller Tazewell

Taylor's cousin and roommate. Previously called William Bradford.

James Benjamin Sclater Jr.

Wrote the preamble, youngest founder to die (35)

Robertson Howard

Georgetown MD at 18, law student

Number of VMI cadets who fought in the civil war battle of new market

247

Julian Edward Wood

VMI cadet, fought in the Civil War

William Alexander

Designed the badge, worked at Equitable Life Assurance for 65 years

Vision

Pi Kappa Alpha will set the standard of integrity, intellect, and achievement for our members, host institutions, and the communities in which we live.

Mission

Pi Kappa Alpha is dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect, and high moral character and to fostering a truly lifelong fraternal experience.

Civil War

247 VMI cadets fought including founder Wood

WWII

About a third of all brothers initiated since 1868 were in uniform during WWII

The Refounding

In 1889, a convention hosted in Cushing Hall at Hampden-Sydney College to rejuvenate the principles of the Fraternity

1909 New Orleans Convention

Current coat of arms settled

Junior Founders

Theron Hall Rice

Robert Adger Smythe

John Shaw Foster

Howard Bell Arbuckle

Pledge to Members

Pi Kappa Alpha is dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect, and high moral character and to fostering a truly lifelong fraternal experience.

Phi Beta Kappa

First Greek letter organization in the US

Union Triad

Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Phi, Delta Phi

Shield & Diamond

Fraternity's quarterly magazine

Robert Adger Smythe

Founded the Shield & Diamond, Grand Treasurer in 1890

John Shaw Foster

Only Theta at his school for one term, Doctorate of Divinity. Served as Grand Secretary and Grand Chaplain.

Howard Bell Arbuckle

Iota Chapter at Hampden-Sydney, son was first winner of Pi Kappa Alpha Robertson Award

Theron Hall Rice

Revived Alpha Chapter, Presbyterian minister, first Councilor Princeps, Alabamian

Councilor Princeps

National President