Theta Phi Chapter (Louisiana Tech) has been a top performing chapter on its campus as well as within Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity on a national level. Many of their young alumni have gone on to win national student awards as well as serve in key volunteer and national staff roles in recent years. The chapter has also been a past recipient of the Founder’s Award in 2012 and 2015.
Theta Phi Chapter was chartered in March 2009 and for many years struggled to find a permanent chapter housing location. Individual chapter members leased homes off campus where chapter members or events could be held but finding a solution in the fraternity area near campus was a challenge.
In late spring 2015, the chapter approached Gamma Kappa (Georgia Southern) alumni Jerry Reynolds and Rob Lacher about purchasing and modifying a property site near the campus and fraternity area for Theta Phi’s use. The site at 617 W. Mississippi Avenue in Ruston contains three buildings; a main house at the front of the lot as well as two apartment buildings at the back of the lot. The three buildings combined are over 6,500 square feet and sleep 16 men. Work was completed over summer 2015 in order to prepare for the chapter’s use and occupancy that fall.
Shortly after the chapter house lease commenced, Theta Phi completed the most successful recruitment in their young history with a fall associate member class of 40 members. “We were impressed with the quality of the chapter and dedication as well as persistence to make the project a success,” said Reynolds. “We saw value in investing in their future.”
Tyler Wagnon, a Theta Phi alumnus and member of the alumni housing corporation said more projects are planned for the chapter house in the years to come. “We are proud of our associate and active members. The men have treated the chapter house with respect, which makes the alumni proud,” said Wagnon.
Finding long term housing solutions are often a challenge for Pi Kappa Phi chapters. Making the most of relationships and resources can make a real difference just as Theta Phi has seen through their project. For more information regarding housing for your chapter, contact Pi Kappa Phi Properties by e-mail at Properties@pikapp.org.