Letters

The following letter was addressed to Beta Delta Chapter
at the University of New Mexico:

I wanted to introduce myself, congratulate you on your renewed commitment and successes, communicate my proudest achievement because of my Beta Delta connection, and say thanks!

I was initiated into the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity in 1975 as a freshman at the University of New Mexico. When I transferred to Chapman University in California to complete my undergraduate education, I founded a local fraternity, Pi Kappa, with the our objective being a Pi Kappa Alpha chapter. Pi Kappa Alpha extended an invitation to Pi Kappa to join the national organization in my senior year. The Chapman Pikes have been and continue to be very successful; a Smythe Award winning chapter several times over. I was also involved in putting together a grassroots team of local Pikes and interested young men to establish the foundations for a chapter at University of California-Irvine (another Smythe Award chapter). In the late 70s and early 80s, I also encouraged and helped some of the men of the once proud chapters at Southern California, California State-Northridge and Loyola Marymount to rebuild and/or reestablish their notable presence and dominance on their respective campuses.

My son, Jon is now a Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at George Washington University (another Smythe Award chapter) in Washington, D.C. He has seen and lived firsthand what it means to be a member of the extended Pike family. Pikes have been and continue to be involved today in our lives professionally, socially and personally. While my valued Pike relationships may have subtly influenced Jon, I have in no way ever required or expected him to become a Pike. When I learned of his interest and his choice to become a Pike, I was humbled. I am honored that my son has been invited to pledge and exceedingly proud that he has accepted the invitation. My affiliation with Pikes is entirely because of Beta Delta, so I thank you sincerely for motivating a legacy.

Larry Trujillo (New Mexico, Beta Delta ’75)

***

Dear Brother,

My name is Rhett Nelson. After pledging PIKE 20 years ago, I was initiated in October thru my old chapter, Zeta Beta at DSU in Cleveland, MS.

I am a “double-legacy” with my father having been an initiate of Gamma Iota, and my brother an initiate of Zeta Beta.

In keeping with the true spirit of what it means to me to become a PIKE after all these years, I composed a statement regarding the oak tree, and request that it be considered for publication any way the Fraternity sees fit. In writing this “ode” I was wanting to convey my sincere love and appreciation for this great Fraternity.

We are in a world, on college campuses now, that has seen its share of dwindling pledge numbers and an unceratin economy. For many young men across our great nation, there is more of a sense of independence rather than belonging, I pledge my full support in helping to ensure that this Fraternity continues to grow and thrive as the best Fraternity around! This statement regarding the oak tree as the symbol of groundedness and integrity is what I believe all young men should understand about the Fraternity. A mere glimpse of what a truly lifelong experience PKA can become.

I hope you enjoy it and God bless our Fraternity!

Rhett B. Nelson (Delta State, Zeta Beta ’08)

“THE OAK TREE – A Symbol of Our Integrity”
“For its roots are strong and keep us grounded.
By its trunk we are unified; by its branches we prosper.
As the oak tree is a symbol of unwavering strength and integrity;
so must the Brotherhood also remain”.
ffka