The Iota Upsilon Chapter was officially chartered on Saturday October 25, 2014. The chapter was installed by past National President and Mr. Pi Kappa Phi recipient, Dr. J. Patrick ‘Pat’ Figley, Chi (Stetson) and National Secretary Timothy ‘Tim’ S. Hebson, Alpha Eta (Samford), respectively. The 85 founding fathers were initiated into Pi Kappa Phi by the men of Alpha Chi (Miami) and Theta Delta (Florida International).
Representing the national fraternity at the chapter’s chartering banquet were Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes, Alpha Epsilon (Florida), Director of Chapter Operations Ryan M. Lugabihl, Eta Upsilon (Miami-OH) and Leadership Consultant Joshua J. Wolinski, Xi (Roanoke). Members of the Florida Gulf Coast community in attendance included Director of Student Involvement Julie Gleason and Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Brent Grunig, Omega (Purdue). Special guests such as past National President J. Jeffry Wahlen, Alpha Epsilon (Florida) and Chapter Advisor Kelly Rubin (Gamma Phi Beta Sorority) were also in attendance. Additionally, many chapter members were joined by their parents and dates.
During his keynote address, past national president and Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Recipient J. Patrick ‘Pat’ Figley noted that friendship and loyalty are two of the hallmarks of Pi Kappa Phi and a good chapter. Chapter Advisor Kelly Rubin challenged the men to realize that chartering was not the finish line, rather, the starting line to long term success. Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes encouraged the men to develop an ethos within the chapter as well as reputation on campus of admiration and respect.
For more information about Pi Kappa Phi’s associate chapters and chartering events, please contact Assistant Executive Director of Chapter Development, Chris Conner at cconner@pikapp.org or (980) 318-5304.