PITTSBURGH– Over the weekend of March 23-25, Pi Kappa Phi welcomed the return of Delta Upsilon Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh. After a year of growth and development, the re-founding fathers earned the chapter’s charter and spent the weekend celebrating with alumni, university staff, friends and family.
National Historian Tim Hebson, Alpha Eta (Samford), presided over the chartering as the installation officer. He was assisted by Ken Forti, a Trustee of the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation and initiate of Sigma Chapter (South Carolina). Over the course of the weekend, the chapter completed the national exam, experienced the Ritual of Initiation in the Cathedral of Learning, and received their charter during a formal installation ceremony. Teams from Zeta Chi (Albright) and Epsilon Psi (Slippery Rock) were on hand to initiate 75 new Delta Upsilon brothers.
Chase Rumley, Epsilon Alpha (Elon); Chris Conner, Eta Iota (Christopher Newport); Matt Osorio, Zeta Chi (Albright); and Andrew Richards, Iota Alpha (Sacred Heart), represented the national organization the chartering.
On Saturday evening the brothers gathered at the banquet to commemorate the chapter’s accomplishments. Delta Upsilon was re-colonized in the spring of 2011 after Sean Zajdel, an initiate of the chapter at Albright College, transferred to Pitt and helped form an interest group. Since returning to the University of Pittsburgh, the chapter has quickly bonded and strived to exemplify the values of Pi Kappa Phi. In the past year, the chapter has raised more than $12,000 for charitable organizations—including almost $6,000 for Push America. They have also grown to become the fifth largest chapter on campus and earned a 3.18 cumulative G.P.A.
As he addressed the crowd Hebson used several stories and examples to highlight the accomplishments of the group and challenge them to continue to achieve more.
“After tonight, it is in your hands,” he remarked. “You have the opportunity to continue to build an organization that can positively impact your campus and thousands of men yet to come.”
For more information regarding Pi Kappa Phi’s associate chapters and chartering events, contact Director of Chapter Development Chase Rumley at crumley@pikapp.org or (800) 929-1904 ext. 144.