On Founders’ Day, in addition to recognizing the seven men who came together and paved the path for more than 100,000 men to become exceptional leaders, we also take time to appreciate the brothers who have had a profound experience on each of us, and remember Founders’ Days of years’ past.
Pi Kappa Phi’s National Council Members shared their favorite pictures from their past in honor of Founders’ Day and the memories that brothers have made and shared with one another over more than a century.
National President William T. Sigmon (left), Alpha Sigma (Tennessee)
National Vice President James M. Smith (right), Alpha Eta (Samford)
National Secretary Michael S. Loy, Beta Eta (Florida State)
“As I consider what Pi Kappa Phi means to me today, it closely aligns for the reasons why I joined 29 years ago,” Loy said. “To me, Pi Kappa Phi represents demonstrating leadership in the classroom, on campus, and in the local community, while also fostering lifelong friendships with other like-minded men. I still keep in touch with many of my chapter brothers and consider some my closest friends to this day. Those lifelong ties have helped each of us weather the best and worst of times, and I consider myself fortunate to have joined such a strong group of men and fraternity.”
“My favorite Founder’s Day moment occurred when I travelled down to Charlotte in 2014 to attend the local Charlotte Founder’s Day event,” Loy continued. “I enjoyed meeting some of the Charlotte area alumni at that event while also spending a couple of days visiting my best friend, and fellow Beta Eta alum, Tom Atwood.”
National Historian David T. Corey, Alpha Eta (Samford)
National Chaplain Andrae L. Turner (left), Eta Rho (Texas State)
“It is hard to describe what Pi Kappa Phi means to me because I think that meaning has changed (in a good way) as I have needed different things in my life,” Turner said. “I have lifelong friends because of the Fraternity. The Fraternity gave me an opportunity to lead in both Pi Kappa Phi and in other organizations. In a strange way, I think the Fraternity has been everything I needed at just the right moment at various points in my life. When I needed career advice, there was a brother there to talk to me. When I needed support through a difficult situation in my life, there was a brother there to support me. I am very grateful for the Fraternity and the lifelong brotherhood I have because of it.”
“My favorite Founder’s Day memory is Founder’s Day 2007,” Turner continued, “It was in Charlotte and there was nothing particularly out of the ordinary for the day but it was just great to see so man brothers from different chapters all come together to celebrate Fraternity. It was my first Founder’s Day as an alum and not with my chapter brothers.”
National Chancellor Alan P. Duesterhaus (brown jacket, front), Zeta Epsilon (George Mason)
“Every year with the celebration of Founder’s Day I appreciate the great blessing the Fraternity has been to me,” Duesterhaus said. “It also reminds me of the need to give back to the Fraternity so that the brothers coming in also have a positive experience. God Bless Pi Kappa Phi!”