A member of the Beta Omicron Chapter’s Rose Court competed June 19-21 in the Miss Louisiana Competition. Mandi Ridgdell, a senior at NSU, has selected Pi Kappa Phi’s philanthropy, Push America, as her personal platform. Ridgdell promoted disability awareness and Push America during her interviews, which was aired on live television to over 4 million Louisiana residents. Throughout her time at Northwestern State, she has been an avid supporter of Push America. She has participated in nearly every local Push America activity , including friendship visits and welcoming the Journey of Hope team in Shreveport. She is also planning a major Push America fundraising event set to take place this fall. Ridgdell won the preliminary talent competition, was a semifinalist in the top 10, and won the People’s Choice Award.

Two members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity are participating in a cross-country bicycle ride to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities.

Adam Upshaw of Coushatta, Louisiana and Collin McKnight of Austin, Texas will spend six weeks of their summer participating in the Journey of Hope, a cycling trek from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. The ride is a project of Push America, a philanthropy founded by Pi Kappa Phi. Teams stop in cities along the routes for friendship visits in which members are involved in service projects or events for people with disabilities. (more…)

The following is an excerpt from the daily journal kept by the Pi Kappa Phi brothers riding in Push America’s Gear Up Florida. The trek is a 2 week ride across the state of Florida, which provides opportunities to promote the message of Push America. Throughout the route, friendship visits and service projects will be completed to serve those with disabilities. Beta Omicron brothers Nick Breaux and Cody Bourque are participating in the event.

Day 2: May 16, 2008 | Miami, FL

Day two started with an early wake up, making sure the team was up and ready to go by 7am. It was the team’s first practice pack, which is where everything is packed and brought to the vans, as if a trip was to be made to the next city. (more…)

Four Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity were honored for their dedication at the inaugural Beta Omicron Scholarship Banquet on Thursday, April 17. DJ Klucznik, a senior biology major; Collin McKnight, a sophomore nursing major; Chad Hancock, a senior accounting major; and Adam Upshaw, a senior psychology major were named the 2008 “Morgan Extra Mile Scholars.” The recipients were selected for their commitment to excellence in academics, leadership, service, and employment. Over $2,500 in scholarships were awarded at the banquet, held at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant in Natchitoches. (more…)

Continuing a long tradition of campus leadership for the Beta Omicron chapter, Cody Bourque, a Fall 2006 initiate, was chosen as Student Government Association President for the 2008-2009 academic year. Bourque’s presidency will mark the twelfth time a student body president has been affiliated with Pi Kappa Phi or Phi Kappa Nu since the SGA’s founding in 1927. Van Odom, a member of Phi Kappa Nu (ΦKN), Pi Kappa Phi’s predecessor at Northwestern State, became President in 1935. “I know that the leadership skills I’ve gained through Pi Kapp will help me better serve the student body of NSU,” Bourque said of the influence Pi Kappa Phi will have on his administration. The influence of the Fraternity can certainly be felt on campus, as seven Pi Kapps currently serve on the SGA, refuting Beta Omicron’s status as the leading chapter at NSU. Bourque will succeed 2007-2008 SGA President Shayne Creppel, a member of the Spring 2008 associate class of Pi Kappa Phi.

Taking a break from the stresses of schoolwork, the brothers of Beta Omicron headed to Kisatchie National Forest on April 11. The chapter’s semi-annual Brotherhood Retreat gave the chapter an opportunity to bring the associate members closer to the active brothers. No campout would be complete without grilling burgers and hot dogs, telling stories around a fire, and the coveted game of capture the flag. The associate members put forth an outstanding effort, but the actives were able to edge by, claiming victory again this semester. The following morning, brothers went hiking before returning to Natchitoches.

Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity spent part of their spring break making improvements to the Louisiana Lion’s Camp on behalf of Push America. March 28th through 30th, almost 30 members of Pi Kappa Phi from chapters at Northwestern State University, Louisiana State University, and Louisiana Tech met in Leesville, Louisiana to participate in one of Push America’s Give A Push Weekends. The event offered an opportunity to experience brotherhood with members from other chapters, but primarily provided much needed services that will directly benefit people with disabilities. (more…)

Pi Kappa Phi held their annual Rose Ball Formal in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 7th and 8th.  Historian Manny Augello said the event was a big success.  “As a chapter, we have so much to be proud of.  This event was definitely a worthy complement to the great things that are happening in Beta Omicron.”  (more…)

Members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity are doing their part to help keep Natchitoches beautiful. On March 2nd, the Fraternity held their regular “Trash Bash” to help beautify the city before next weekend’s “Bloomin on the Bricks” celebration. Members walked over a mile, clearing trash and debris from the roadside. In 2006 the chapter adopted University Parkway, the main thoroughfare leading into to Natchitoches. The Fraternity chose the street because of its high visibility to residents and tourists. “It’s the first thing people see when coming into to Natchitoches,” Pi Kappa Phi brother Collin McKnight said. “It’s such a beautiful area, so we take pride in our community.” The roadside is cleaned at least four times each year.

It was birdies and bogies for teams amatures and seasoned golfers who turned out to compete in the 2nd Annual Pi Kappa Phi Golf Tournament.  On February 23rd, golfers participated in a 4-man scramble with prizes being awarded in several competitions.  Winners of each event were: Wil Adams- Closest to the Hole, Joey Pickett- Longest Drive, and Brandon King- Bowler’s Score.  The winning team, with a score of 11 under par, was Joey Pickett, Michael Pickett, Todd Sneed, and Jeff Byrd.   No one left empty-handed as the silent auction was a big success.  Several unique gift packages were auctioned off from a Barbeque set to hiring 10 Pi Kapps for a day.  Several Natchitoches business leaders kindly sponsored the event. 

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The Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is pleased to announce a very successful spring recruitment. Out of all NSU Fraternities, Pi Kappa Phi has the largest spring class of new members this semester. The Pi pledge class of associate members were hand-picked by the brothers of Beta Omicron. Pi Kappa Phis are men of CLASS (Character, Leadership, Athletics, Scholarship, Service). The active brothers hope to inspire the associates to work hard to become a part of America’s Leading Fraternity. The make-up of the class is quite unique, ranging from a transfer football player, an ROTC member, the current Student Government Association President, an aviation major, and even a “local guy”. The Pi Class of associates are Brian Berefsky, Brandon Messick, Shayne Creppel, Cameron Feeheely, Kyle Guidroz, Jacob McClain, and Robert Abernathy.

Pi Kappa Phi’s foundation is built upon functioning brotherhood. In the Fraternity’s student creed “…the ideal chapter is made up of men who are bound together by a common loyalty which transcends any personal selfishness.” The Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity recently welcomed into their brotherhood 9 new initiates who are living proof of this concept. Those brothers include Mr. Cameron Moises, Mr. Kyle Domangue, Mr. Robert York, Mr. Kevin King, Mr. Ryan Bonnet, Mr. Matthew Darby, Mr. Josh Leblanc, Mr. Kyle Duhon, and Mr. Christopher Sanders. These gentlemen are charged with safeguarding and sharing a brotherhood that was established in 1904.

Over the weekend of November 29-December 1, 2007, the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity chartered its 208th chapter, Theta Pi, on the University of Texas – Tyler campus. Thirty two men were initiated as founding fathers by the chartering teams from Beta Omicron (Northwestern State) and Eta Chi (Texas Christian). Past National Council member Jim Krucher, Beta Alpha (N.J.I.T.), served as chartering officer and was assisted by Regional Governor Dustin Alexander, Eta Rho (Texas State – San Marcos). Pi Kappa Phi staff in attendance were Leadership Consultant, Derek Berger, Beta Xi (Central Michigan), and Senior Leadership Consultant, Kyle Robinson, Gamma Iota (LSU). (more…)

Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi constructed the first phase of a boardwalk that will allow people in wheelchairs to experience nature up-close, some for the first time. November 9th-11th Adam Upshaw, Lane Luckie, Collin McKnight, Cody Bourque, and Matt Leblanc along with associate members Kyle Domangue and Andrew Thomas participated in one of Push America’s Give-A-Push Weekends in Rutledge, Georgia. They drove 10-hours to help Camp Twin Lakes, a non-profit organization that provides camp facilities and staff for numerous service organizations, many of which serve those with disabilities. Nearly 40 representatives from Pi Kapp chapters across the region worked together to construct the first phase of a 3/4 mile boardwalk skirting a lake on the camp property. (more…)

After a week of service, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, with the help of four NSU sororities, raised over $1,000 for Push America.  The Fraternity’s annual “War of the Roses” is a friendly, week-long competition designed to spread awareness about disabilities, raise funds for Push America, and provide service to enhance the lives of those with disabilities.  (more…)