Pi Rho Zeta
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Pi Rho Zeta (ΠΡΖ) is a U.S. all-male academic and social college fraternity recognized by both the State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred, and the college's Greek Senate. The fraternity was founded by seven young men with a desire for something better; each understood that the college experience, while great, was fraught with many challenges. By uniting in academic pursuits, friendship, and trust the brotherhood could aid its members in the quest for excellence. By promoting scholarship, moral fortitude, and fraternity Pi Rho Zeta inspired many young men to aid in this struggle.
Pi Rho Zeta has continued to grow in strength of numbers and diverse membership. Although its commitment to diversity started with its founding fathers, the fraternity has continued with this ideal to expand and become one of the most diverse fraternities on campus. In accordance with the fraternity's ideals, its Beta chapter at Cortland was founded in the Spring of 1998, continuing its mission to transcend barriers, both personal and physical.
Pi Rho Zeta is an active member of Alfred State College Greek Senate, and many of its brothers have been Executive Board members.
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[edit] Honorary Members
- Ms. Heather Potter Mattos
- Mr. Theodore Smith
- Mr. William G. Barret
- Mr. Art McLaughlin
- Mr. Gene Lamphier
- Mr. Bill Johnson
- Mr. Brian Donaldson
- Mrs. Kelly Hint
[edit] History
Pi Rho Zeta Fraternity was founded on November 17, 1987[1] in the Mackenzie East Complex of Alfred State College. On December 10th 1987, a letter of intent was written, officially beginning Pi Rho Zeta's journey towards becoming a recognized Greek Fraternity. On February 3rd 1989, Pi Rho Zeta received its provisional charter after the appointment of Art McLaughlin, the head of the Engineering Department, as honorary brother. The first pledge class was inducted, solidifying the values and traditions of the fraternity.
On October 14th 1991, Pi Rho Zeta became an officially recognized, chartered fraternity at Alfred State College. Pi Rho Zeta formed its first Alumni Board of Directors,now the National Board of Directors, in the fall of 1997. Pi Rho Zeta inducted its first pledge class of its Cortland Chapter in the spring of 1998.
[edit] Pledging
Since the Alpha pledge class of Spring 1989, Pi Rho Zeta has prided itself on its pledging process. Requiring a four week commitment, numerous hours of academic study, and an exacting effort towards bettering the community, becoming a Pi Rho Zeta brother is no easy matter. The people you pledge with, your pledge brothers, become your greatest assets in overcoming the challenges of life.
In educating its members in this way, the founding fathers realized the traditions they were to establish would stand the test of time, and 20 years later they were right. With that in mind, Pi Rho Zeta has kept in pace with the changing demands of the Greek community, including adherence to the policies and laws governing such activities.
Prospective members are asked to explore all options, seeking out other fraternities, so that they can be assured their choice is correct. Once accepted as a pledge, the journey towards brotherhood begins. Out of the recent pledge classes, almost 100% who have attempted have reached the goal of brotherhood, a statistic that is a testament to the rigorous standards employed when selecting pledges.
[edit] Philanthropy
The fraternity's sense of civic duty has permeated their member's lives to life-long service to community and nation. Brothers can be found in sponsored youth programs, military duty, government, and other areas. Beyond these commitments, the fraternity has undertaken specific projects with the aim of bettering their community.
- Backpack Buddies
- Allegany County is one of the poorest in New York state, and as a result, the children in the schools surrounding Alfred State often go without food on the weekends. Due to this problem, parents and teachers came together with college staff to create a program to help nourish young minds over the weekends and breaks so that they would be ready to learn during the week. The fraternity endorses this effort, as children are our future, and to that end has supported the program with numerous hours of community service.
- Adopt-a-Highway
- Noticing a lack of care for the stretch of highway between Alfred and the sister campus at `, brothers formed a group to clean and improve this neglected roadway. Eventually, this would culminate in the official adoption of this area. Today, if one drives from Alfred to Wellsville, you can still see the impact the fraternity has had through this area, designated by the Adopt-a-Highway sign bearing its name.
In addition to these programs, the fraternity engages in regular community service with the college, especially during Hot Dog Day, Freshman Move-In Day, and other seasonal events. Also, from time to time, the fraternity has supported the Alfred Village Food Pantry, Hornell Animal Shelter, the Greater Rochester YMCA, and other causes of local interest. Most recently, Pi Rho Zeta has contributed to the "Airplanes for Hunter" project, an effort to assist a child with cancer break the world record for creating paper airplanes.
[edit] Recognition
Presidential Academic Achievement Award for Greek Life
[edit] References
- ^ Pi Rho Zeta History. Pi Rho Zeta website. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.
