Kappa Chi Chapter Chartered at Plymouth State College

On Saturday, September 19, 1998, the Pi Kappa Alpha colony at Plymouth State College fulfilled a dream of becoming a chartered chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha after almost two years of dedication and hard work. The chartering weekend's events began on Friday evening with 39 colony members being initiated into the bonds of the Fraternity. Gamma Mu Chapter from New Hampshire, Kappa Tau Chapter from the University of Maine, Iota Chi Chapter at the University of Connecticut and Kappa Delta Chapter at Northeastern travelled to Plymouth, New Hampshire to initiate their new brothers.

A number of the Fraternity's international officers and staff were in attendance at Saturday's installation of Kappa Chi Chapter. International President Thomas Handler (Illinois, Beta Eta '74), International Vice President/North Atlantic Regional President Dr. Howard Goldstein (Lehigh, Gamma Lambda '83), Director of Expansion R. Chuck Hunt (North Alabama, Theta Alpha '93) and Chapter Consultant Eddie Scott (East Central, Epsilon Omega '94) conducted the installation of Kappa Chi Chapter and the new chapter officers. Following the installation, the new brothers were instructed on the ritual of the Fraternity. The events on Saturday morning came to a close with the anticipation of the chartering banquet that evening.

Attending the black tie event Saturday night were new initiates, their dates, parents, alumni, international officers and university officials. Following dinner, remarks were given by chapter members, International Vice President Goldstein, Director of Expansion Hunt, and new chapter advisor Jen Cerrone. The evening concluded with the keynote address given by International President Handler. The chapter presented Handler with a gift to be placed in the Memorial Headquarters, and throughout the evening various awards were presented to members of the chapter.

Pi Kappa Alpha became aware of Plymouth State College when Michael Hebert and Chris Zink contacted then Director of Expansion Steve Vincent (Missouri, Alpha Nu '83) about their local interest group. After several visits to the campus to meet with the College and the interest group, the possibility became a reality in the fall of 1996 when Expansion Consultant Hunt and Chapter Consultant Eric Wulf (Iowa, Gamma Nu '93) arrived in Plymouth to colonize and officially begin the recruitment process. After five weeks and dozens of interviews with potential members, the night came on October 21 to officially pin the founding fathers at Plymouth State College. Thirty-four of the top leaders, scholars, athletes and gentlemen on campus met that night to set goals for the future of the colony. After many struggles and successes, the colony was finally inspected at the 1998 North Atlantic Regional Leadership Conference in Philadelphia on February 6. This was the first time for a colony to be inspected at a regional leadership conference.

Plymouth State Greek System

The Greek system at Plymouth State began in 1967 as two local organizations. Today, there are five national fraternities and three national sororities represented on campus. There are still five active local organizations on campus. The College has made a commitment to support the Greek system because of its involvement on campus and in the Plymouth community.

History of Plymouth State College

Plymouth State College was founded in 1871 as a state normal school. The first term opened on March 15 of that year with 80 students. Presently, there are more than 4000 students enrolled in over 40 academic majors. Plymouth is a small New England town of 3,500 residents and is located in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire.