Pi Kappa Alpha (PiKA) has released its 2024 Annual Report presenting the financial health of the fraternity as well as noteworthy accomplishments and events during the 2024 year.
Last year, Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National Fraternity (Memphis) experienced unprecedented financial growth due primarily to two large gifts to Memphis totaling approximately $10 million. Including these two gifts, the Pike Foundation grew by $14.4 million to have Total Net Assets of $38.9 million. The Pike Foundation uses its assets to fund academic tuition scholarships, increase PIKE University leadership conference attendance, expand Fraternity programming, and support Fraternity housing. By assisting individual members and chapters, PiKA remains the leading fraternity in North America.
PIKE University
PIKE University, nationally recognized as the finest fraternity educational programming, conducts regional annual conferences dedicated to the advancement and improvement of undergraduate brothers by teaching how its students can “gain essential tools for personal growth and operational excellence.” PIKE University events have classes in three categories: Regional Leadership Summits, Chapter Executive Conferences, and Convention/Academy.
PIKE Now, the annual fundraising event, raised $410,000, a record amount of money, to pay for PIKE Univ. scholarships, chapter specific funding, and fraternity programming. Statistics compiled by Memphis demonstrate that the chapters that send the most students to PIKE Univ. are the most successful chapters.
Historical Society
The recently created Historical Society has been active since its inauguration. It has published The Illustrated Alpha Minutes Book, selling 273 copies to raise more than $70,000 to be used for historical preservation. It also completed a replication of the original “Minutes of P.K.A. Fraternity”. Copies of the “Minutes” will be brought by Memphis staff members, when visiting chapters, to encourage a greater connection to the fraternity.
The Historical Society is also heavily involved in the digital preservation of individual chapters’ histories. When The Historical Society Chairman recently stepped down to the position of International Legal Counsel on PiKA’s Supreme Council, the Vice Chairman was named the new Chairman. The Historical Society then elected a new Vice Chairman, Bruce Wolfson, Beta Pi ’71.
Giving Tuesday
The annual fundraiser Interfraternal Giving Tuesday Challenge encompassed 12 fraternities and sororities in 2024. The 380 donors to the PiKA team raised double the amount than the previous best year. Over $270,000 was raised and will be used to benefit the Pike Foundation. This friendly competition showed PiKA to be in third place in dollars raised.
Awards
Among the many awards granted by the Pike Foundation during the past year, two awards had a distinct Beta Pi connection:
The Robertson Award
“The Robertson Award is presented annually to PiKA’s most outstanding undergraduate, recognizing exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, and service.” The 2024 winner was Justin Wittmer (Indiana State, Theta Omicron ’20).
Presenting the most prestigious award for undergraduates was a Past Foundation Trustee and President, Bruce Wolfson, Beta Pi ’71.
Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD, Medical School Memorial Scholarship
Endowed by the Mackler family, including Harvey Mackler, Beta Pi ’72, this award is presented to an exceptional PiKA member pursuing a medical career and best exemplifies the values of hard work and dedication.
The 2024 Annual Report memorialized the presentation of the 2024 award by means of a full-page article that offered high praise to a very deserving Scott A. Mackler, Beta Pi ’77. The article states the scholarship “is a testament to the enduring legacy of Dr. Scott A. Mackler (Pennsylvania, Beta Pi ’77), a dedicated physician and researcher whose perseverance and commitment to medicine have left an indelible mark…Dr. Mackler’s remarkable story inspires all who hear it. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he continued his work in medicine despite the challenges of the disease. His determination and unwavering dedication stand as a guiding light for those pursuing careers in healthcare, showing that obstacles can be overcome with resilience and passion.”
The 2024 recipient, Seth R. Stidham (Bradley, Delta Sigma ’20), had this to say: “Receiving an award in the name of such an outstanding brother is an honor. Dr. Mackler’s story of perseverance and excellence will serve me well as I embark on my journey in medicine.”
Bruce A. Wolfson
Brother Wolfson, Beta Pi ’71, has long been Beta Pi’s voice and liaison to Memphis. Besides being a prominent member of the Memphis staff and community, he kept Beta Pi up-to-date with the workings, accomplishments, and news (both good and bad), that Memphis deals with very day to make the fraternity better and to achieve and maintain its prominence among all collegiate fraternities.
In the 2024 Annual Report, Memphis recognized Bruce for his lifetime of loyalty and 16 years of service to Pi Kappa Alpha. The report succinctly summarizes his contributions to PiKA, “Bruce has served in key Fraternity roles, including Foundation President 2013-2014, Supreme Council International Vice President, and Chapter Advisor. He helped establish several alumni associations and now advises the Sigma Chapter at Vanderbilt. A retired attorney, Bruce is a consultant and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt. Bruce and his wife Ellen, live in Nashville, Tennessee.”
