New Beginnings and Renewed Legacies

During the spring 2026 semester, Pi Kappa Phi welcomed six chapters to active status: four dormant chapters were restored, and two new chapters were chartered. 

Across six campuses, 358 founding and refounding fathers reached the same milestone: receiving a Pi Kappa Phi charter. Some groups restored chapters that had been home to generations of alumni. Others were entrusted with establishing a Pi Kappa Phi chapter on their campus for the first time. Each group earned that moment through months of preparation, service and brotherhood-building.  

A charter may hang in a frame, but it represents something far greater than the frame can hold. It symbolizes the work a group has done, the standards its brothers have chosen to embody and the responsibility they now share. 

Between April 11 and May 16, these six chartering celebrations brought together undergraduates, alumni, volunteers, families, campus partners and national leaders. Each event honored the chapters’ hard work and welcomed them into the lifelong brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi. 

Beta Phi (East Carolina)  

The spring 2026 chartering season began on April 11 at East Carolina University, where 34 refounding fathers restored the Beta Phi Chapter to active status.  

Past National President William Sigmon, Alpha Sigma (Tennessee), served as installing officer, with Phillip Lloyd Hamilton, Theta Delta (Florida International), serving as assistant installing officer. Approximately 80 students, alumni, family members and guests gathered at East Carolina University’s Main Student Union to celebrate the chapter’s return.  

Many of the refounding fathers are from North Carolina, but their bond goes beyond where they are from. The men of Beta Phi have built a chapter around time spent together, whether they are at the beach, fishing or just finding reasons to meet up. Their brotherhood was clear to one another and to everyone who came to celebrate. 

A highlight of the weekend was the number of family members who attended. Families watched these brothers reach a milestone that took months to achieve, met other families and saw the strong relationships the men had built. The brothers were excited to introduce their guests and showcase the connections that helped bring the chapter back. 

Ralph Finch, one of the original Beta Phi founding fathers, also attended the celebration. His presence connected the chapter’s early days with the refounding fathers and brought the event full circle. 

Zeta Alpha (Clemson)  

That same day, another Pi Kappa Phi chapter was restored to active status when 44 refounding fathers received the Zeta Alpha Chapter’s charter at Clemson University.  

National Vice President Wally Wahlfeldt, Upsilon (Illinois-Urbana-Champaign), served as installing officer. John Bradford, Zeta Alpha (Clemson), a former Zeta Alpha archon and member of the Pi Kappa Phi Properties Board of Directors, served as assistant installing officer.  

The celebration was held at the Clemson Outdoor Lab, a place Pi Kappa Phi brothers know well. The Outdoor Lab often hosts Ability Camps and works closely with the Zeta Alpha Chapter. Having the chartering banquet there tied the chapter’s return to the Fraternity’s focus on leadership and service. 

The weekend also brought the refounding fathers together with Zeta Alpha and local alumni. At the banquet, Bradford reflected on the chapter’s journey and presented its charter. Undergraduate Archon Colin Drake then spoke about what the chapter’s return meant, highlighting the powerful connection between those who rebuilt Zeta Alpha and the alumni who had long hoped to see it return.  

The group had established itself as an academically focused chapter with a strong GPA, but its accomplishments were not limited to the classroom. The refounding fathers were especially proud of the culture of brotherhood they had created.  

The charter honored the hard work of 44 men, but having Zeta Alpha alumni there made the moment even more meaningful. The refounding fathers were not starting this journey alone. They were continuing a chapter whose brotherhood had lasted beyond its years on campus, with alumni ready to help it succeed. 

Gamma Iota (Louisiana State)  

One week later, on April 18, 75 refounding fathers restored the Gamma Iota Chapter to active status at Louisiana State University.  

National Treasurer Andrae Turner, Eta Rho (Texas State), served as installing officer alongside Past National President Mark Jacobs, Delta Psi (Texas-Arlington), who served as assistant installing officer. Approximately 150 undergraduate brothers, alumni, family members and guests attended the chartering celebration at L’Auberge Hotel and Casino in Baton Rouge.  

Many members of this associate chapter already knew one another before joining Pi Kappa Phi, either from Baton Rouge or shared ties to the Northeast. As they worked to recharter, those friendships grew into a brotherhood with a shared purpose. 

It was important to the refounding fathers that the Gamma Iota Chapter offer a unique fraternity experience at LSU. They envisioned a chapter known for service, authentic community and men committed to the betterment of those around them. Rather than allowing the chapter to be defined only by its social reputation, they wanted it to become a place where brothers could belong, grow and contribute to something greater than themselves.  

Even when a chapter becomes inactive for a time, the relationships, memories and loyalties last. By bringing Gamma Iota back, these 75 refounding fathers ensured the chapter’s story would continue, and that future LSU men could be part of it. 

Beta Lambda (Tampa)  

On April 25, Pi Kappa Phi rechartered the Beta Lambda Chapter at the University of Tampa, initiating 72 refounding fathers.  

National President Joe Brady, Epsilon Omicron (Villanova), served as installing officer, with National Secretary Ben Bush, Alpha Alpha (Mercer), serving as assistant installing officer. Approximately 120 people attended the celebration in Fletcher Lounge at Plant Hall, a historic space sometimes described as Tampa’s “most charming ballroom.”  

The chapter included two previously initiated transfer students who served as archon and chaplain, continuing their Pi Kappa Phi experience in an uncommon way as the group took shape at Tampa. Beta Lambda Archon Michael Schulze transferred to the University of Tampa after being initiated at the Beta Epsilon Chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia, an SEC school with a well-established fraternity and sorority community. He was grateful for the brothers there who shaped his early understanding of Pi Kappa Phi, but he knew that on Tampa’s campus, Beta Lambda could not simply copy his previous chapter’s model. 

Instead, Schulze wanted to help build a version of Pi Kappa Phi that fit Tampa: “fun, tight-knit, community-oriented and driven to succeed.”  

That vision came together quickly. In just two semesters, Beta Lambda grew to over 70 members, earned the highest GPA on campus, collected all dues, rebuilt its community service and philanthropy efforts, hosted a wide range of events and finished second in its first Greek Week competition. 

These achievements were not easy. The chapter had to start from scratch, navigate a moratorium on social events and teach more than 70 associate members about Pi Kappa Phi’s values. Schulze also had to grow quickly as a leader, going from a new member at Beta Epsilon as a freshman to a refounding father and chapter archon as a sophomore. 

He described his role as nonstop emails, texts and phone calls, always focusing on the chapter’s goals instead of outside distractions. This hands-on effort and dedication helped Beta Lambda stay connected, keep recruiting and build the organization these men hoped would earn its charter. 

Beta Lambda’s chartering presentation gave the refounding fathers an opportunity to explain why they chose the path of building a new fraternity and how they reached this point. Their pride in the chapter was evident throughout the presentation. Rather than striving for success in one aspect of fraternity life, these 72 men wanted a strong, well-rounded brotherhood, meaningful campus involvement, effective operations and opportunities for members to grow continuously.  

For these refounding fathers, earning the charter proved their hard work was worth it. Even during uncertain times, they stayed loyal to each other and their ultimate goal. Now, with their charter, they will focus on keeping Beta Lambda strong and ensuring the standards they set remain part of the chapter for future brothers.  

Lambda Gamma (California-Riverside)  

The spring 2026 semester also brought two entirely new Pi Kappa Phi chapters into the fold, beginning on May 2 with the chartering of the Lambda Gamma Chapter at the University of California, Riverside.  

Lambda Gamma started as a grassroots expansion in spring 2025. This year, 42 founding fathers were initiated, becoming the chapter’s first brothers. 

National Historian Russ Faulkner, Delta Psi (Texas-Arlington), served as installing officer alongside National Chaplain Todd Sargent, Eta Sigma (California-Los Angeles), who previously served as a regional governor for Pi Kappa Phi’s Southern California region. Approximately 60 undergraduate students, parents and guests attended the chartering celebration at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California.  

During their chartering presentation, the founding fathers had the opportunity to showcase the work they completed during their year as an associate chapter. Their presentation reflected the pride they took in what they had built together.  

Their efforts in community involvement and their commitment to service stood out. Even before receiving their charter, Lambda Gamma brothers made attending Ability Camp and building community partnerships key parts of their group. They wanted to be known on campus and in Pi Kappa Phi, not just as a strong brotherhood, but as men who support their campus and community. 

Those aspirations demonstrate Lambda Gamma’s understanding of what it means to build a Pi Kappa Phi chapter. Chartering is more than recruiting members and completing operational requirements. It requires the founding fathers to decide what they want their chapter to be, how it will contribute, how it will serve and what reputation it will build.  

Lambda Gamma’s chartering celebration marks the start of a chapter history these men had the rare chance to create themselves. The traditions, expectations and reputation future brothers inherit will come from the choices, dedication and hard work of these 42 founding fathers. 

Lambda Delta (California-Santa Barbara)  

The final chartering of the semester took place on May 16, when Pi Kappa Phi welcomed the Lambda Delta Chapter at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  

Like Lambda Gamma, the group was started through a grassroots expansion effort in spring 2025 and earned its charter one year later. With 91 founding fathers, Lambda Delta was the largest of the six chapters chartered in spring 2026.  

National Treasurer Andrae Turner, Eta Rho (Texas State), served as installing officer, with National Chaplain Todd Sargent, Eta Sigma (California-Los Angeles), serving as assistant installing officer. Approximately 130 undergraduate students, family members and guests gathered at Estero Park for the celebration.  

Even with 91 men, the group remained close-knit. As they spoke about their programs, events and achievements from the past year, it was clear these founding fathers knew one another well and had built strong bonds. They shared much more than just a chapter name. 

The group was also proud of the reputation they built on campus. They wanted to be known as more than just “good guys.” They aimed to show what responsible fraternity membership could look like at its best through campus involvement, community service and how they represented themselves and their chapter each day. 

Building that reputation in just one year was ambitious. The founding fathers had to consider how their choices, both as individuals and as a chapter, affected those around them. Earning their charter showed they had created a chapter ready to take part in campus life and offer a real community for its brothers. 

As Lambda Delta’s founding fathers celebrated, they also set expectations for future brothers. Their challenge now is to maintain and model the personal relationships that made the group successful, even as the brotherhood grows. 

A charter does not mean a chapter’s work is done; it just changes the nature of it. After proving they could build a Pi Kappa Phi chapter, the founding and refounding fathers of these six chapters now have the responsibility to keep it strong and prepare it for future brothers. 

Some of these men restored chapters that alumni had held dear for years, while others wrote the very first page in their chapters’ stories. Together, they represent the continued growth of Pi Kappa Phi and the enduring promise of brotherhood.  

Through their commitment to service, leadership, accountability and each other, the founding and refounding fathers of Beta Phi, Zeta Alpha, Gamma Iota, Beta Lambda, Lambda Gamma and Lambda Delta have given Pi Kappa Phi six new reasons to believe in the future of our brotherhood. 

Congratulations to the 358 founding and refounding fathers who earned their charters in spring 2026. Welcome to, and welcome back to, Pi Kappa Phi.