Published August 1, 2017
Members of the University of Louisiana Monroe’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity extended
its record of consecutive wins of the fraternity’s coveted Robert A. “Smythe” award
by winning their 19th consecutive at the Pi Kappa Alpha Leadership Academy held in
Memphis, Tenn.
The award is given to the top 10 percent of Pi Kappa Alpha chapters each year. This
win marks the 24th Smythe award in the last 26 years for the ULM chapter.
The award is based upon excelling in 16 areas of operation, including academics, community
service, campus involvement, athletics, management, health and safety, new member
education, and alumni relations.
“The ULM chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha earning their 19th consecutive Smythe award is
nothing short of awesome" said Laura Jennings, Director of Student Life and Leadership.
"Our Pike chapter holds such high standards for themselves and are constantly looking
for ways to improve even more. This attitude greatly contributes to their continued
success. Our chapter is turning 'the gold standard' into 'the diamond standard.' We
look forward to more amazing things from them.”
Eight ULM students joined Tommy Walpole—Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises
and the fraternity’s university relations adviser—at the three-day event.
Those students included Bryce Bordelon, Josh Usie, Cody Crnkovic, Gauge Stringer,
Chris Hudgens, Gavin Williams, Benjamin Dewil and Jacob Hill.
Representing the University of Louisiana Monroe’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the
Leadership Academy in Memphis, Tenn., are, from left, Gauge Stringer, Cody Crnkovic,
Gavin Williams, Bryce Bordelon, Benjamin Dewil, Josh Usie, Jacob Hill and Chris Hudgens.
The ULM Pike chapter won the Robert A. Smythe award for the 19th consecutive year
and the 24th time in 26 years. Courtesy photo
During the convention the group was recognized for earning — for the seventh consecutive
year — an overall grade point average higher than a 3.0.
Other highlights of the trip included the ULM chapter receiving the Raymond L. Orians
Award for Chapter Excellence, which honors overall chapter performance from the previous
year. This marked the chapter’s 32nd consecutive Orians award.
The group was also recognized for 100 percent participation in the undergraduate donor
club, which is sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha’s Educational Foundation.
Also recognized was the fraternity’s commitment to attending Pike’s Leadership conferences
known as Pike U, recruitment where the group was recognized twice, the ULM Pikes won
one of the major financial management awards, along with receiving recognition in
the areas of alumni relations. All of these programming areas were recognized as
some of Pike’s best.
The ULM Pi Kappa Alpha Alumni Association was also named as a William R. Nester Outstanding
Alumni Association. This was the group’s 18th time to be recognized as one of the
organization’s best alumni associations in North America.
The fraternity is also known for its award-winning streak on campus.
