The Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter at Northwestern State University was named Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity’s 2013 Alumni Chapter of the Year. Of the National Fraternity’s nearly 50 alumni chapters, the NSU group was selected for its continued efforts to engage alumni members and provide substantial support to the undergraduate chapter.

This year’s award winners were selected after a committee reviewed dozens of applications and recommendations. “From their active social media presence to their annual events to their continuing support of the undergraduate chapter, the Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter does an exceptional job encouraging lifelong brotherhood,” said Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes.

To keep the chapter’s more than 500 alumni around the globe connected, the Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter produces both printed and digital newsletters, as well as bi-monthly email blasts. The alumni chapter also leverages an interactive website and various social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr to help connect alumni with student members, providing a gateway for professional networking and mentoring, especially among graduating seniors.

The alumni chapter also continues to promote lifelong brotherhood by hosting an annual golf tournament, scholarship banquet, Founders’ Day celebration, various tailgating events, social events in cities where groups of alumni reside, and a homecoming reunion that regularly draws more than 100 attendees. In fact, the group of alumni that originally chartered the chapter in 1956 holds a biannual reunion in Natchitoches and remain close friends.

The Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter also provide advisory support to the student chapter and encourages academic excellence and campus involvement. The Council of Advisors, a committee of 10 alumni volunteers, advise the students on everything from leadership development and community service, to financial planning and recruitment. Alumni also support educational needs of student members through a professionally managed Chapter Investment Fund, along with providing an annual Leadership Scholarship to incoming freshmen at Northwestern State. Alumnus David D. Morgan also funds the ‘Extra Mile’ scholarship to recognize academic performance while encouraging active and sustained involvement on campus and within the student chapter. Since 2008, Pi Kappa Phi members have been awarded $30,000 through this program.

Alumni are also involved in the Fraternity on a national level by serving on boards, advising chapters at other schools, and volunteering as facilitators for various programs, conferences, and workshops.

All of these efforts are coordinated by a seven-member volunteer Board of Directors: president Lane Luckie, vice president D.J. Klucznik, treasurer David D. Morgan, secretary Wil Adams, director of housing Alan Pasch, director of alumni events Shayne Creppel, and director of special projects George Etheredge. The alumni chapter also serves as a housing corporation, which owns and manages the Fraternity house located at 730 University Parkway.

An impressive number of alumni stay involved in some way, whether through attendance of events, serving in volunteer roles, or the 45-plus alumni who contribute monthly dues to support the student members. “I think Pi Kappa Phi provides so many opportunities and such a meaningful experience at NSU, that our alumni are motivated to help others find success in life and develop these lifelong friendships,” Luckie said. “The level of commitment and care demonstrated by our alumni is very touching, and we are honored to receive this recognition from the national fraternity.”

The same level of support is shared with the Northwestern State campus community, with countless alumni serving as faculty, staff, board members, guest speakers, donors, and avid Demon fans. Each Pi Kappa Phi alumnus is called to support their alma mater in whatever way they can.