Pi Kappa Alpha's

2008 International Convention

Page 2

Were you there to witness the honoring of our Executive Vice President Raymond L. Orians for his decades of service to Pi Kappa Alpha?

Brother Orians (Memphis, Delta Zeta '66) received many honors and recognitions over the course of the weekend, but most notable was the Judge Elbert P. Tuttle Distinguished Achievement Award. This award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievement, and Orians could not be a more deserving candidate. Following the festivities of the golf tournament and Memorial dedication, Orians was surprised Friday night; humbled by the award and honored to be in such company of those who have come before him. Orians joined the Fraternity's staff in 1969, and served as director of housing until his appointment as executive vice president in 1984. Under his leadership, Pi Kappa Alpha established new chapters at 67 universities, and raised the number of active chapters from 173 to 207. During his term in office, over 100,000 new initiates were added to the bonds of phi phi kappa alpha. He oversaw the construction of the current Memorial Headquarters in 1988, and under his direction, Pike University and the True Pike Initiative were instituted.

In addition to the Distinguished Achievement Award, there was one more surprise for Orians to receive over the course of the weekend. At Saturday's award luncheon, Executive Director Justin Buck (Southeast Missouri, Epsilon Iota '96) asked Ray to come up and discuss the award he had received the night before. Brother Orians recapped his astonishment and expressed his gratitude to all the undergraduates for their continued success in making Pi Kappa Alpha the best in the fraternal world. At that point, Buck asked the president of Epsilon Chapter, Matthew Collette (Virginia Tech, Epsilon '07) to read the inscription on the face of the shiny, black obelisk that is the Chapter Excellence Award.

Brother Collette walked up to the podium and informed everyone in attendance that the Chapter Excellence Award will now be called the Raymond L. Orians Chapter Excellence Award. Lining the head tables for the awards luncheon were 46 Raymond L. Orians Chapter Excellence Awards, designating those chapters deserving of such recognition for their previous year's work. For years to come, chapters not only will be pushing forward to receive Smythes, but also Orians Awards to recognize their efforts.

Were you there to watch eighteen Robert Adger Smythe Awards parade through the Peabody banquet hall as the cream of the crop were able to make the step from Orians to Smythe chapters?

Passion and undying dedication come to mind when thinking of those chapters lucky enough to be included in such elite company. These eighteen chapters represent the top 5% of Pi Kappa Alpha and represent the best our Fraternity has to offer in all aspects of fraternal performance. When it comes to recruitment, community service, philanthropy, and academics, these chapters epitomize the qualities of Scholarship, Leadership, Athleticism and Gentlemanly conduct, and the bonds of phi phi kappa alpha.

Some chapters this year demonstrated continued success with their designation as Dynasty Level Smythe winners (chapters winning their fifth or more consecutive Smythe Award). Year after year, a few chapters continue to impress the Pike nation with their accomplishments. This year marked the addition of three Dynasty chapters, Alpha Kappa (Missouri S&T), Epsilon Epsilon (Toledo) and Lambda Zeta (Drexel) to an already exclusive group. They joined Eta Omicron (Louisiana-Monroe), Delta Lambda (Florida State), and Epsilon (Virginia Tech) as Dynasty Level chapters

These chapters are the examples for all to follow, and some chapters can only hope to reach such continued success. Michael Ruggieri '06, chapter president of Lambda Zeta, was overjoyed to reach this level and mentioned, "To be honored with five Smythe Awards in our chapter's young history is truly remarkable and just motivates us to keep the momentum going." For Eta Rho (Northern Kentucky), this year marked their first Smythe Award, and through a continued push to raise the bar they could very well be the next Dynasty chapter out there. Without a doubt, these Smythe chapters understand what it takes to reach such a high level and hopefully will push and motivate other chapters to set it as their goal for 2008-2009. (Click here to read more about the 2008 Smythe Award winners.)

Were you there to participate in the deliberation and discussion of legislative issues, and aid the forward progression of our Fraternity through the appointment of a new Supreme Council?

Throughout the week, chapters, alumni associations, regional presidents, the Supreme Council, and other delegates gathered together in three legislative sessions to discuss matters addressing the Fraternity. Led by Parliamentarian Mark Robertson (Southern Methodist, Beta Zeta '82) and his colorful commentary, delegates debated over 20 pieces of legislation. This was, for some, a first hand experience of what it is like to be on Capitol Hill.

The three legislative sessions were held to mold our Fraternity for the future, and guide it in the right direction. Four committees focused on Chapter Codes, Membership, Resolutions, and True Pike. Issues discussed spanned the whole scope of Fraternity operations, ranging from the environmental consciousness of 'going green' to hard pressed decisions on the futures of chapters with suspended charters. During the second legislative session, delegates witnessed the announcement of the slate of candidates for Supreme Council.

Perhaps the hardest working group at the International Convention was the Nominating Committee, chaired by Tommy Turner (Texas Tech, Epsilon Gamma '67). This committee was responsible for determining and recommending the slate of officers to the convention for approval. The convention unanimously elected Pi Kappa Alpha's leadership team for the next two years: Patrick A. Talley Jr., International President; Kevin E. Virta, International Vice President; Mathew Forrest, International Vice President; F.R. "Rick" Jenkins III, International Vice President; and John A. Bobango, International Vice President. The newly elected Supreme Council appointed Kevin Huddleston, International Vice President; Whitney D. Zimmerman, International Vice President; and Steven S. Heck, Legal Counsel. (Click here to read more about the gentlemen who will serve on the Fraternity's board of directors. )

The appointment of the new Supreme Council allowed us to recognize those brothers who diligently gave their time on the previous council. Past International President Allen Groves (Stetson, Delta Upsilon '79) leaves the Supreme Council having provided years of service as a member of the Fraternity's professional staff, legal counsel, international vice president, a member of the RAF, Inc., and as immediate past international president. He has pushed continually for better practices in regards to risk awareness and crisis management, along with providing an exemplary model for all public speakers to follow.

In addition, Bruce Wolfson (Pennsylvania, Beta Pi '71) will leave the Council after six years as a part of the head governing body. Brother Wolfson has been influential in pushing each active and alumnus brother to be better brothers through the True Pike Initiative. Brothers around the world strive to epitomize what it means to be a True Pike within their communities, families, universities, and individual chapters. Wolfson's efforts will now focus on the Educational Foundation as a member of its board of trustees.

Lastly, this marks the end of a one year term for our undergraduate vice presidents, Jared Averbuch (Michigan, Beta Tau '04) and Justin Levine (Pennsylvania, Beta Pi '05). They have given the Supreme Council an undergraduate perspective on the direction of the Fraternity. Averbuch will begin studies at the University of Michigan Law School, and Levine will move into the area of finance, working with an investment firm in Los Angeles.

Were you there to watch the parade of officers, affectionately called the Duck Walk, as the convention reached its pinnacle with the International Officers Banquet?

The night was capped off with the 'changing of the guard' as Kevin Knaus pinned Patrick Talley with the presidential badge. Knaus expressed his thanks for being given the opportunity to serve this great Fraternity and encouraged the undergraduates to continue their efforts. He passed the microphone to Brother Talley, who discussed how it was destiny that the Fraternity has reached the point where it is today.

In retrospect, the Convention was reminiscent of a quote by former North Carolina State basketball coach Jimmy Valvano. He said, "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day." Looking back on the laughter heard, the emotional tributes given, and the intense discussion and dialogue created, it is without a doubt that the 2008 Memphis Convention was an undeniable success.

Read about Pi Kappa Alpha's
Smythe Award Winning Chapters on Page 3.