Published: August 05, 2008 06:17 pm         

Rose fraternities nationally recognized

TERRE HAUTE — Two Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology fraternities have earned national recognition for their members’ campus and community accomplishments, and management of their chapter houses during the 2007-08 school year.

The Gamma Gamma chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity is the first recipient of the national ATO organization’s Roadshow Competition, based on outstanding campus achievements, community involvement and student accomplishments.

Meanwhile, the Iota Delta chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha received the House of the Quarter Award from the national organization for exceptional housing management practices of the historic fraternity house.

Spotlighting fraternity goodwill, the ATO Roadshow competition awards points to each collegiate chapter on the basis of members’ accomplishments, chapter community service projects and involvement in campus activities.

On two occasions in 2007-08, Rose-Hulman’s chapter was featured on ATO’s Roadshow Web cast. Thomas Reives, a 2008 mechanical engineering graduate, was the focus of a Tau 2 Watch segment about outstanding student-athletes. He was an Academic All-American in football and track, while also serving as a Gamma Gamma chapter officer. The campus’ annual Greek Night basketball game, organized by ATO members, was also highlighted in a separate segment.

Rose-Hulman topped the ATO Roadshow competition for 2007-08 with 1,415 points.

Rose-Hulman’s Gamma Gamma ATO chapter was founded in 1894 and was the first fraternity to build a house on campus. The chapter has been awarded the nation’s best chapter award for 19 years.

Pi Kappa Alpha’s Iota Delta chapter manages a house and other special use facilities built in 1903 which were part of former Glenn Home orphanage, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and located on 23 acres at 7140 Wabash Ave. One building on the property is more than 100 years old. There is also a newly renovated gymnasium with a full basketball court, three old residence buildings, a boiler house and a social hall.

In 2007-08, the chapter created a new Weekday Workday Wednesdays program, along with twice weekly housecleaning duties. Several major improvements were made, including repainting all public areas in the house, refinishing the basketball court floor, construction of a ritual closet and granite-topped brick grill, replacing gravel on the parking lot, and preparing one residence area for extensive renovation. The fraternity is currently developing a strategic plan for the future of the property.

Pi Kappa Alpha is one of the strongest international social fraternities with over 240 chapters in North America. Rose-Hulman’s Iota Delta chapter was established in 1986 and has shown a strong presence in interfraternity competitions, campus organizations and service to campus and community.