National History

Pi Kappa Phi (ΠΚΦ) is a national fraternity that started as “Nu Phi,” meaning “non-fraternity,” at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. It began to oppose a fraternity slate in elections. After losing the elections, the “Nu Phi” slate’s leaders joined together to found their own Greek letter fraternity on December 10, 1904. The three founders were Andrew Alexander Kroeg, Jr., Simon Fogarty, Jr., and Lawrence Harry Mixson; accompanying them in their endeavor were A. Pelzer Wagener, Thomas F. Mosimann, Theodore (”Teddy”) Barnwell Kelly, and James Fogarty.

Pi Kappa Phi has become a nationwide brotherhood of more than 90,000 men, living and leading in every state in the United States. For more information about the founding of Pi Kappa Phi, visit the national website, www.Pikapp.org

 Local History

A local group of men called Phi Kappa Nu conceived the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity in the early 1950’s. Phi Kappa Nu was a strong local organization on Northwestern State University’s campus for a number of years. The members of this organization wanted to become part of a national fraternity. There were many debates about making the transition. The first Archon, Jack McCain, and other members helped make that transition possible. On September 21, 1956 the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity was installed.

The chartering members were: Jack McCain, Charles Bice, Donald Cook, Richard Brown, Hoyt Chance, Billy Plunkett, Maxie Almond, James Crippen, John Echols, Hugh Gilliland, Bob Howie, J.D. Montgomery, Robert Kelly, Roland Knott, Charles Varnell, Ronald Knott, Micheal Murphy, John Matyre, Charles Monk, Jerry Payne, Larry Bell, Albert Tumminello, Roy Baldwin, David Ward, Cecil Neilson, Barney Seiler, and John Wheat. The men grew the fraternity over the years, and developed a presence on the NSU campus.

In 1981 due to a dramatic decline in enrollment at NSU, the Beta Omicron Chapter disbanded and was non-existent for 18 years.

In early January 1999, The Northwestern State University Associate Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was conceived out of a joke by a group of four friends who rapidly developed strong bonds. Chris Baker, Todd Boddie, Wesley Breeden, and Juan Londono had developed friendship in the previous school semester, and after evaluating bids received from other fraternities, they decided that the fraternities on campus did not have enough to offer the group. With the help of NSU Greek Adviser, Reatha Cox, the group began the difficult task of bringing a new fraternity to campus. Thirty two national fraternities contacted the group indicating interest in colonization. The group decided to join the ranks of Pi Kappa Phi and took on the goal chartering the Beta Omicron Chapter once again.

With 29 newly active members, the Beta Omicron Chapter reached its goal on February 12, 2000. Receiving their charter from Pi Kappa Phi National President J. Patrick Figley, the Beta Omicron Chapter became the fastest chapter ever chartered in Pi Kappa Phi. With the dedicated support of distinguished alumni, advisors, family and hard-working brothers, the dream of a new fraternity was alive once again.

 The re-chartering members were: Wesley Breeden, Todd Boddie, Chris Baker, Kyle Thomas, Rick Guillot, Danny Thomas, Steve Franklin, Danny Thomas, David Morgan Jr., Corey Wilson, Micheal Barras, Ryan Bienert, Justin Hicks, Mike Marston, J.P. Fitzmorris, Shawn Hornsby, Robert Deramus, Luke Hudnall, Brock Oates, Joe McGowan, Kyle Bobbitt, Brandon Hopkins, Chad Black, Josh Green, Heath Crawford, Jonathan Grant, Todd Modgling, Justin Reynolds, Michael Johnson, and Rick Jones.

In July 2006, David D. Morgan Sr. (Beta Omicron) was inducted into the Pi Kappa Phi Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in the field of business.

On October 27-28, 2006, more than 200 alumni, students and guests convened in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Beta Omicron chapter at Northwestern State University. The weekend was the culmination of months of planning by a small group of alumni and students and began with optional golf outings for alumni on Friday afternoon. Later in the afternoon, alumni joined Northwestern State University officials to dedicate a clock donated as a gift to the university in commemoration of Beta Omicron’s 50 years on campus. The alumni raised over $13,000 for the gift.

On Saturday the 28th, alumni held their housing corporation and alumni chapter meetings, before tailgating and attending the Homecoming football game. Later in the evening, a celebration banquet was hosted to recognize the special traditions of brotherhood that have existed at Beta Omicron for half a century. Keynoting the banquet was National Treasurer Mark F. Jacobs, Delta Psi (Texas-Arlington). Calling on his experience as a Senior Vice President of GE Capital, Jacobs challenged the student leaders of Beta Omicron to deliver a Pi Kappa Phi experience that matches what others read about when they see the fraternity. Joining Jacobs at the event were Foundation Chairman Allen Woody, Xi (Roanoke); NSU President Dr. Randy Webb and mayor of Natchitoches, Wayne McCullen.

The chapter is positioned for a prosperous future. The gentlemen of Beta Omicron are fulfilling Pi Kappa Phi’s designation as “America’s Leading Fraternity” right here at Northwestern State. The diverse group of men are leaders on campus excelling in academics, athletics, student organizations, and community service. Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is Bulding Better Men.