Alpha Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi

HISTORY FROM 1923-33
On October 27, 1923, a small group of students met in a room in the Michigan Union to consider a possibility of organizing a fraternity. The men recognized the fact that the field of fraternities at the University of Michigan was well filled, if not crowded. It was a huge task to undertake in the face of such heavy odds, but these men decided that there was a place on the Michigan campus for another fraternity which was to be guided by high ideals of manhood and scholarship. In pursuance with this determination, a request was submitted to the Dean of Students for permission to establish the fraternity which was to be known as Gamma Sigma.

In the fall of 1924, Gamma Sigma moved into a house located at 807 S. State St. (across from the present day Mr. Spot’s Restaurant). A strenuous rushing policy was adopted and Gamma Sigma took its place along with the other fraternities on the Michigan campus.
The founders had intended nationalization under the name Gamma Sigma, but the members soon realized the advantages of affiliating with a strong and well-established national fraternity. Pi Kappa Phi, whose ideals were similar to those the founders had in mind, was chosen to be petitioned.

In the spring of 1926, after a great deal of work by Charles J. Snoble, the secretary at the time, the petition was completed and sent to the Supreme Council of Pi Kappa Phi. In December of that year, notification was received of the acceptance of this petition. Gamma Sigma had now passed through the critical period and was about to enter into the field as a chapter of one of the strongest national fraternities.

On March 12, 1927, the brothers of Gamma Sigma were formally initiated as the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. Brothers from all over the country came to watch and help install the chapter. The brothers of Alpha Theta chapter, being the closest chapter, served as their initiators. By the end of the day, thirty-one members of Gamma Sigma became part of the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi. Over the next few years the chapter hosted the first annual district conclave of Michigan chapters, and along with Alpha Theta, hosted the National Convention of Pi Kappa Phi in 1933.

Academically, the chapter performed outstandingly. In only five years, the chapter obtained permanent possession of the Robinson Trophy for three years of superior scholarship in comparison with the chapter at MSU. Over these same five years, Alpha Kappa also became the fraternity with the highest house GPA at the University of Michigan.
During the scholastic year of 1933-34, Alpha Kappa disbanded. The exact reasons for disbandment still remain unclear, but since it happened at the beginning of the Great Depression, it is assumed that this was the greatest contribution.

HISTORY FROM 1983 TO 1986
In the fifty year gap 1933 and 1983, the presence of Pi Kappa Phi from the campus of Michigan was missing. The recolonization of the Alpha Kappa Chapter was born from the work of an interest group formed during the 1983 fall semester at the independent fraternity Trigon. During that semester, the group located five national fraternities which fitted their desires of strong growth and a previous University of Michigan presence. Among these five was Pi Kappa Phi. During the fall of 1984, Doug Mikatarian, newly elected President of Trigon, joined Carl Bracy in his efforts to make Trigon a national fraternity with a strong brotherhood under the name Project Alpha. Mikatarian and Bracy visited the Archon – Vice Archon conference of Pi Kappa Phi during the winter of 1985. That same term Durward Owen, Executive Director of Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity visited the University of Michigan to present this fraternity to the Trigon alumni.

Throughout this period, Project Alpha had encountered considerable resistance from the Trigon alumni. Not willing to accept the fact that Trigon was in desperate need of a new image and internal strengthening, they broke off all negotiations with Pi Kappa Phi. From this point the members of Project Alpha, realizing that there was no guarantee they would be accepted themselves as associated members, decided to attempt to bring the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi back to the University of Michigan. In the summer of 1985, Car Leon Bracy was finally initiated as Alpha Kappa member 102 in Charlotte, North Carolina and in the process became the first Alpha Kappa in over fifty years.

At the beginning of the fall term of 1985, Peter Duguid, national representative of Pi Kappa Phi, joined Carl to begin the interviewing procedure and to get the recolonization off the ground. Members of Project Alpha were individually interviewed. Peter Duguid’s
work also included visiting the Sororities on campus and having them recommend outstanding men not already affiliated with a fraternity. From this core of people, the chartering body of associate members needed to create Alpha Kappa was built.

HISTORY FROM 1986 to 1987
The first meeting of the Alpha Kappa Chapter with its own elected officers was held on March 31, 1986. Since that time, the chartering members faced the tremendous task of organizing themselves into a functional group of men. An extremely diverse body of individuals had to learn to cooperate, and more importantly, trust each other completely.
Everything came together in the 1986-87 school year. Hand delivering flowers to each sorority on campus earned Pi Kappa Phi not only recognition, but the reputation of gentlemen throughout the sorority system. Sorority parties became more frequent, and after each one, the reputation of Pi Kappa Phi as a great house grew. Their first PUSH function was a dance night at the Nectarine Ballroom to which members distributed tickets all around campus and to both fraternity and sorority houses.

Although the chartering date kept being pushed back because of all the national requirements, Alpha Kappa was never disheartened or stopped working. Our constitution was created through the hard work of Wesley Shin and the executive council. This document was carefully designed to provide structure and a firm set of laws, but also to be able to grow and change with the fraternity.

The chapter was fortunate to have several people assist them during the year. Carl Koch, the chapter advisor, Mike Reilly, a graduate assistant, and Rich Antle, a Pi Kappa active from the University of Nebraska inspired everyone to keep working and helped clarify issues so that the chapter could decide in what direction it should go.

On the night of January 30, 1987, 43 associate members of Alpha Kappa became initiates of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. The following night Dr. Philip Summers, the National Secretary, presented the chapter with its charter. Pi Kappa Phi had officially returned to the University of Michigan. Many new programs were developed to educate the brotherhood and to increase the social responsibility of the chapter. A new associate member program was created in anticipation of the first rush and the subsequent associate member class. The next retreat was the first appearance of the Alcohol Awareness, Sexual Assault Prevention, and Hazing education programs of the actives of the Chapter. Finally, at the end of the year, housing was located for up to 27 members of the chapter to rent. Housing made an important change for all as the level of morale, although already high, increased exponentially now that many of the brothers were able to live together and have a central meeting place.

HISTORY FROM 1987 TO PRESENT
In 1987, Pi Kapps at the University of Michigan recognized that their strength was their brotherhood. Pi Kappa Phi did not have a campus wide reputation as the house was new to campus. In addition, Pi Kappa Phi did not have a house that people would pass and recognize on their way to class. But when students met a group of Pi Kapps, they realized the friendship that existed between the brothers and wanted to be a part of such a growing organization. Throughout its existence here at Michigan, the strength that has kept the chapter as productive and fruitful as it had been came from the brotherhood of its members. In 1989, Pi Kappa Phi had more members than over half of the other fraternities on campus.
1991 was the year in which our hopes of buying a real chapter house were answered. Our search for a permanent chapter house was led by our Archon, Mike Prince. After spending months investigating and negotiating with the board of Perry Nursery School, our hopes of buying a house were nearly crushed when we were told that the house would not suit the current or future needs of Pi Kappa Phi. However, out of that dark cloud came new hopes when we learned that the Chi Sigma Sorority would be leaving campus and they had to sell their house at 903 Lincoln Avenue. After a couple of months of anxiety, Mike Prince finally made the announcement that Pi Kappa Phi had acquired a new home. The papers were signed and the house was ours. After a long year of hard work and unfaltering devotion, Mike Prince turned over the reigns to the newly elected Archon, Kevin Livingston.

Our chapter now had a new challenge to contend with. During the summer of 1991, Pi Kappa Phi was denied a special exception permit, which was necessary for us to occupy the house as group housing. At the hearing, North Burns Park Association protested the idea of another fraternity living in their neighborhood. The board sided with them and our denied our permit. Pi Kappa Phi did not give up hope. We sued the city for misinterpretation of the zoning laws. After months of hard work by Kevin Livingston and Chris Noble, the day of judgment finally came. On August 31, 1991, Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Melinda Morris ruled that indeed the city had misinterpreted the laws and that Pi Kappa Phi had the right to occupy their house.

Although this case seemed to have turned out all right, the legal battle was far from over. With the support of the Burns Park Association, the city appealed the ruling almost immediately. The case was finally decided in Pi Kappa Phi’s favor in 1994 by the Michigan Court of Appeals. The summer of 1991 also saw the beginning of national recognition of the Alpha Kappa Chapter within Pi Kappa Phi. At the bi-annual Pi Kapp College, our chapter was awarded one of the fraternity’s highest honors – the Champion Master Chapter Award. Since we were only four years old, we became of the youngest chapters in Pi Kappa Phi history to win such a prestigious award.

The 1991-92 school year brought recognition for Alpha Kappa. Modeling PUSH America’s “Journey of Hope,” the new associate class planned a bike trip to Lansing. This succeeded and April 11, 1992 was declared “PUSH Awareness Day” by the State of Michigan. In the summer, Alpha Kappa received four of our fraternity’s highest awards including the Theron Houser Award, the President’s Plaque, the Champion Master Chapter Award, and the Gold Star award for PUSH.

Also during this year, we had two men, Polk Wagner and Dave Garcia, elected to the Interfraternity Council. Wagner, a transfer student from the Alpha Chapter in Charleston, was instrumental in the creation of the IFC Alcohol Policy. While that policy is embraced today, in 1991-92, it created ill-will between the brothers in the chapter.

These problems continued during the 1992-1993 school year. The chapter decided to move elections to the middle of the school year so officers coming into each new school year would have a term of experience. Elections were held for offices that would only last for one term. Two drastically different slates ran: one opposed to the new trend of social responsibility, and the other committed to upstanding behavior and scholarship. The latter won and led approximately 20 actives to leave the fraternity.

The result of that divide is the house that we have today. While the brotherhood was strong after the election, the numbers were low. In the following years, Alpha Kappa has retained its selectivity and maintained the high quality of man that stayed in 1993. In the summer of 1994, former archon Barry Stern served as a business manager for the Journey of Hope team. Also that summer, Dave Garcia was one of the first participants in the Leadership 2017 program that gives leadership training at the University of Michigan. In the summer of 1995, Mike Petrilli rode on the Journey of Hope team across America.

Pi Kappa Phi found success in many areas during the next two years. During that period, three members of our chapter served on the IFC Council. Russ Ordonia was also voted Greek Man of the Year for 1997, while Andy Noble received a citation for service to the Greek community. During the summer of 1997, two members of our chapter, Andy Lemanski and Chris Bondi, rode in the Journey of Hope and raised a combined total of greater that $8000 for PUSH America. During the summer of 1998, Matt Kossen also rode in the Journey of Hope, raising more than $4000 single-handedly. In both 1996 and 1997, our chapter won the Bronze Star from PUSH America.

The Alpha Kappa chapter found success in recruitment from 1995-1998. The start of the up rise in the chapter was back in the fall of 1995 with 10 strong initiates in the Sigma class. They set a modern foundation that changed our chapter and ultimately made it better. The fall of 1996, 1997, and 1998 so class size of 11, 11, and 14 respectively. The 1998-1999 school year also marked the first year that the chapter’s house had been 100% full in over 5 years.

Alpha Kappa also made strides in the Greek community. After a spectacular Greek Week Variety show in 1997, Greek Week has been especially good at getting our name out. Many of the brothers who were here in the 1996-1997 school year will tell you that this was a turning point for the chapter. Greek Week 1998 was also successful, especially with sorority relations.

Alpha Kappa has also seen its share of awards from IFC during the years from 1995-1998. In 1996 and 1997, we received a total of 11 awards, including best New Member Education Program twice, and Most Improved GPA.

The year of 1998-1999 saw the arrival of the largest associate class in recent years, the Omega class. The energy and excitement that the Omegas and the next class, the Alpha Alphas brought to Pi Kappa Phi helped earn third place in IM sports. Also during this time, Brian Vivio won the IM athlete of the year, in recognition of his accomplishments in IM sports.

In 1999-2000, Pi Kappa Phi also achieved one of its long-term goals by becoming a Journey Chapter recognized by our national organization. This year also saw an incredibly successful sit on the Diag, and the creation of the PUSH America Basketball Tournament.

The fall of 2000 marked a new time in Pi Kappa Phi. The incoming class of Alpha Gammas, 12 of them in all, had the chance to make the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi succeed in the future by continuing the steps made by the associate member classes before them. It did not take very long for this to happen as the chapter was named IFC Fraternity of the year in the winter of 2001.

The 2001-2002 school year marked the changing of the guard as the Alpha Gammas began to fill the leadership roles. While not the biggest classes, there were two strong associate classes in the Alpha Epsilons and the Alpha Zetas. Twelve men initiated in all. The winter of 2002 was successful in many aspects. The largest Rose Ball to date was held in Detroit, in which 62 brothers of the Alpha Kappa chapter were in attendance. We won Greek Week, as Beta Theta Pi and Pi Beta Phi joined us on Team 14. Adam Paterno won the Mr. Greek Week competition. In Intramurals, Pi Kapps finished in fourth place, up three spots from the previous year.

The 2002-2003 school year was another successful year in Pi Kappa Phi. The Alpha Etas and Alpha Thetas were once again relatively small classes, but filled with quality. There was a huge increase in alumni support this past year, feeling the positive effects of last years Rose Ball. Rose Ball crossed over the border this year to Toronto and was enjoyed by many. Greek Week gave Pi Kappa Phi its third straight Top 5 finish when they finished 4th. Intramurals was a Pi Kapp high as they were barely edged out on the last day for second place. Our third place finish was still a Pi Kapp modern day best.

The 2003-2004 school year was a proud year for Pi Kappa Phi. The Fall 2003 term started off with an associate class of 14 men: the Alpha Iotas. In the Winter 2004 semester, three men, the Alpha Kappas, initiated. The ho

use tore up Intramurals, finishing first place with 11009.3 points, 378 points ahead of second place FIJI. Jonathan Bos (AK 420) was the recipient of the Mitch Patullo Memorial Award, given to the most outstanding fraternity athlete. Following in the giant footsteps of Brian Vivio (AK309), Bos became only the second Pi Kapp to win the coveted award. John Scatamacchia (AK384) repeated as Fraternity Manager of the Year. On a chapter level, Bos was rightfully awarded Athlete of the Semester.

The 2004-2005 school year remained to be another great year. The fall brought a pledge class full of different talent and commitment. Bill Kraus succesffully recruited 19 members to become the Alpha Lambda class. There was 100% retention and the 19 men jumped right into leadership positions in order to help the house. The winter rush was one of our biggest in several years. We welcomed 7 new members into our brotherhood, the Alpha Mus. We finished 2nd in Intramurals and Jonathan Bos (AK 420) received best all-around athlete for the University of Michigan. Along with excelling in athletics, we took pride in our philanthropy. We raised $2500 along with Jerry Kozak raising $5000 to go on the Journey of Hope this summer.