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Gamma Kappa Chapter Celebrates 80 Years at
Montana State University
On Saturday evening, October 11, 2008, Gamma Kappa Chapter celebrated its 80th Anniversary at the Holiday Inn Convention Center during MSU’s Homecoming week in Bozeman, Montana. Pikes from all over the country joined in the festivities, as young and old gathered to celebrate the event. Beginning the weekend with the annual Big Sky Alumni Association (BSAA) Trustees Meeting, as well as Housing Corporation and Alumni Advisory Council meetings, Brother Casey Miller ’93 sponsored a social hour and barbeque, with classes from the 60s through the 00s enjoying the camaraderie Friday evening. Old yearbooks were thumbed through, songs were sung, and stories were told as the alumni proved to their undergrads that “Once a Pike, Always a Pike.” The following night, the honorary 80th banquet was held. Emceed by outgoing BSAA president Clint Reynolds ’00, the evening capped off a week’s worth of events, tours, and reminiscing for the MSU Pikes. With attendance nearing 100, classes as far back as 1949 were represented and honored. Speakers included Jaynee Groseth (Kappa Delta Sorority alumna), director of MSU’s Alumni Foundation Board, who spoke on the true meaning of togetherness and brotherly bonds, and whose son Anders Groseth was initiated in 2004; Al McAlear (Gamma Pi, ’49), a key figure in the 1962 planning and building of the current chapter house located at 1321 South Fifth; Scott Eggensperger ’03, current Housing Corporation president and past chapter president; and John Alderson ’61, who introduced Brother McAlear as well as provided some humorous anecdotes.
The keynote speaker, Dr. James Alderson ’65, provided the banquet attendees with a message of commitment, as well as responsibility. A generous man responsible for the growth and maturation of the chapter, Brother Alderson reminded members to make a donation of time to the fraternity, whenever possible, and give what they can to ensure that Gamma Kappa lives for another eighty years.
Also honored at the banquet were 2008 Outstanding Undergrad Brother Mark Eggensperger ’06, BSAA founding member Cody Christman ’86, longtime BSAA board members Lewie Crouch ’91 and Scott Countryman ’91, as well as incoming BSAA President Jeff Mark ’96.
Following the program, dancing and socializing ensued, as the Gamma Kappa Pikes finished the evening in style. Special thanks go out to Clint Reynolds for his planning, Chapter President Ross Tangedal ’04, Chapter Vice President Brandon Farley ’06, and Homecoming Chairman Craig West ’07 for their coordination and hosting of the events at the chapter house, as well as all speakers, brothers, and friends who made the 80th Anniversary of Gamma Kappa Chapter a weekend to remember.
Gamma Kappa History
Founded at Montana State University on October 12, 1928, Gamma Kappa Chapter is one of the few chapters to have never shut their doors during their existence. Surviving the Great Depression and a World War, the chapter has maintained its status as a solid entity within the Northwest Region, as well as a constant presence on the MSU campus. Commitment and sustainability, eighty years’ worth, has positioned Gamma Kappa as a staple in Montana, as well as the Northwest United States.
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