Published August 06, 2014
Members of the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) chapter continued
the longest current winning streak in Pi Kappa Alpha history by capturing their 16th
consecutive Robert A. “Smythe” award at the Pi Kappa Alpha International Convention
held in Baltimore, Md.
The award is given to the top 10 percent of Pi Kappa Alpha chapters each year. This
win marks the 21st Smythe award in the last 23 years for the ULM Pi Kappa Alpha chapter.
Laura Knotts, director of Student Life and Leadership said, “We are so proud that
the PIKEs are setting a new standard with a 16th Smythe Award win. Their dedication
to student life and the campus as a whole is evident, and we are happy they are being
rewarded for their efforts!”
The award is based upon excelling in 16 areas of operation, including academics, community
service, campus involvement, athletics, management, risk awareness, new member education,
and alumni relations.
Four ULM students joined Tommy Walpole, executive director of auxiliary enterprises
and the fraternity’s staff adviser, at the five-day event.
These students included Pi Kappa Alpha President Clark Bentsen of Aurora, Ill.; Internal
Vice President Alex Crist of Warner Robins, Ga.; Zach Rachal of Monroe; and Allen
Perry of Fort Hood, Texas.
The group was also recognized for earning—for the fourth consecutive year—an overall
grade point average higher than a 3.0.
Other highlights of the trip included the ULM Pi Kappa Alpha chapter receiving the
Raymond L. Orians Award for Chapter Excellence for overall chapter performance during
the previous year. This is the chapter’s 28th consecutive Orians award.
The ULM Pi Kappa Alpha chapter was also recognized for 100 percent participation in
the undergraduate donor club—sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha’s Educational Foundation—and
named as a finalist for Pi Kappa Alpha’s financial management and athletic programs,
and received recognition for their recruitment efforts.
The ULM Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association was also named as a William R. Nester Outstanding
Alumni Association. This was the Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association’s 15th time to
be recognized as one of Pi Kappa Alpha’s best alumni associations in North America.
The fraternity won multiple awards at last year’s Greek Banquet—including being named
ULM’s Organization of the Year for the 12th time in the 15-year history of the award—and
earning a top-tier ranking in academics. The members of Pi Kappa Alpha were also crowned
as ULM’s Greek Week Champions and won their sixth consecutive All-University Athletic
Championship.
Pi Kappa Alpha has 224 chapters in North America and is headquartered in Memphis,
Tenn.
The Pi Kappa Alpha chapter at ULM was founded in 1972.
