Students starts new fraternity on campus
David Humphreys, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News
When freshman Kevin Bolduc started a new semester at the University of Massachusetts, he did not know he would be a founding father of an internationally recognized fraternity.
Bolduc, the recruitment chair for Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), thought that being a founding father is "such a unique and interesting" experience. "It is a great opportunity to benefit the UMass community and to enhance [his]…leadership skills."
Pike, founded in 1896 at the University of Virginia, has initiated over 215,000 members to over 200 chapters and "upholds one of the largest average chapter…size of any international fraternity," according to the Pi Kappa Alpha handbook.
Freshman Brian DiNardo, also a founding father, said that Pike wants to have a part in helping UMass. "We don't want UMass to be here for us, we want to be here for UMass," he said.
DiNardo emphasized the importance of strong recruitment for Pike. "[Recruitment] is such a huge thing," he said. "We need to have men completely committed to bettering the Amherst community and our fraternity."
Recruitment, up to this point done by Pike consultants Vince Drieling and Christian Barajas but now run by Bolduc, consists of recommendations and a two-step interview process.
Recommendations can be from anyone such as faculty, athletics coaches, bosses or RAs, said Drieling and Barajas. These recommendations help show the two consultants if the candidate is "the right man" for the fraternity.
The first interview, the most formal, revolves around introducing the fraternity to the prospective member while Drieling and Barajas determine whether or not the candidate represents Pike's values. Known as SLAG to its members, these values stand for "Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Gentlemen" according to the Pike handbook.
After the first interview, if Drieling and Barajas are satisfied with the man's "values" they will invite him back to talk more about the fraternity and eventually give him a bid to join.
Bolduc, the recruitment chair for Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), thought that being a founding father is "such a unique and interesting" experience. "It is a great opportunity to benefit the UMass community and to enhance [his]…leadership skills."
Pike, founded in 1896 at the University of Virginia, has initiated over 215,000 members to over 200 chapters and "upholds one of the largest average chapter…size of any international fraternity," according to the Pi Kappa Alpha handbook.
Freshman Brian DiNardo, also a founding father, said that Pike wants to have a part in helping UMass. "We don't want UMass to be here for us, we want to be here for UMass," he said.
DiNardo emphasized the importance of strong recruitment for Pike. "[Recruitment] is such a huge thing," he said. "We need to have men completely committed to bettering the Amherst community and our fraternity."
Recruitment, up to this point done by Pike consultants Vince Drieling and Christian Barajas but now run by Bolduc, consists of recommendations and a two-step interview process.
Recommendations can be from anyone such as faculty, athletics coaches, bosses or RAs, said Drieling and Barajas. These recommendations help show the two consultants if the candidate is "the right man" for the fraternity.
The first interview, the most formal, revolves around introducing the fraternity to the prospective member while Drieling and Barajas determine whether or not the candidate represents Pike's values. Known as SLAG to its members, these values stand for "Scholars, Leaders, Athletes and Gentlemen" according to the Pike handbook.
After the first interview, if Drieling and Barajas are satisfied with the man's "values" they will invite him back to talk more about the fraternity and eventually give him a bid to join.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 8
Jonathan
posted 3/07/07 @ 3:39 PM EST
Pi Kappa Alpha was founded March 1st, 1868....NOT 1896. You would think a reporter could hop on the Pike website and double check their facts.
Emilie
posted 3/07/07 @ 9:59 PM EST
Pike is NOT new to UMass. In the mid-90s they lost their charter because too many women filed police reports alleging rape.
And now their back on campus? Who's idea was this???
Christian Barajas
posted 3/16/07 @ 2:53 PM EST
Pi Kappa Alpha was invited back to UMass because of the responsible actions taken by its Headquarters. The chapter's charter was indeed revoked in the 90's because of the chapter's inability to comply with the standards and policies set by the governing body of Pi Kappa Alpha. (Continued…)
mike
posted 3/20/07 @ 8:04 PM EST
a few bad guys do not speak for the whole fraternity
im glad pikes are back take time to learn more about it it is truly a great idea on the 1868 day. (Continued…)
Julian Edward Wood
posted 3/30/07 @ 2:39 PM EST
Hey Same Boyd, PIKE is a FRATERNITY not a FRAT.. please don't disrespect the name by using that generalizing slang term. You all know that we are much more than a "Frat. (Continued…)
Will Stone
posted 3/31/07 @ 5:26 AM EST
Pike re-starting on campus at UMass is a great thing. I'm involved in PIKE at Old Dominion University which is in VA but i grew up in MA and have tons of friends attending UMass, i can't wait to go up and visit some Pike brothers there. (Continued…)
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