The brothers of Pi Kappa Phi at Wofford College attempt to their fullest extent to uphold the ideals of the fraternity and, more importantly, of our Founding Fathers. For... “We the proud men on Zeta Chapter, commit ourselves to the ideals of Pi Kappa Phi; the honor, integrity, and ultimate respect that it embodies; and swear unceasing loyalty to the fraternity.”
First, we are looking for men with CHARACTER. Men who possess a high level of respect and integrity not only for themselves, but also for those around them. We seek persons who are confident in what they believe and have the courage to stand up for those beliefs.
We are looking for men who are LEADERS not only within the chapter but on campus as well. We know that there are many negative stigmas attached to Greek life. We want men who are constantly breaking down those negative stereotypes and bringing a positive light to the Greek community as a whole.
We are looking for men who strive for ACADEMIC success. We believe in this to such a degree that Pi Kappa Phi pays an Academic Coach for our chapters in order to ensure that we are providing every opportunity for Pi Kapps to succeed academically. College is supposed to be the "best years of your life" -- why not stick around to enjoy them?
Lastly, Pi Kappa Phi is seeking men with a heart for SERVICE. As a national social fraternity, we pride ourselves on being the only national fraternal organization to have founded, developed and maintained its own national philanthropy -- Push America. Pi Kappa Phi raises money and awareness for persons with disabilities. We seek men who will take full advantage of these opportunities to better themselves and those around them.
We are looking for men who celebrate the spirit of SPORTSMANSHIP. Pi Kappa Phi feels that the spirit of competition in the athletic environment helps produce the qualities of teamwork, sportsmanship, and selfless contribution. These are skills and traits needed to become a better student, leader, citizen, and fraternity man.
In 1975, at the 35th Supreme Chapter in San Francisco, Durward Owen encouraged the Supreme Chapter to direct the National Council of Pi Kappa Phi to select a national project for the unification of the Fraternity within the activity of one philanthropic service. Upon this directive was also the restriction that this project be the singular project of Pi Kappa Phi. Pi Kappa Phi would not just choose to support an existing organization. This sole proprietorship requirement seemed at the time an insurmountable task.
About this time, Owen met a young man by the name of Thomas Sayre. Sayre, an artist and architect, was very interested in pursuing the expansion of his creative ideas regarding the role of play activity in early adolescent learning and the lack of such opportunities for people with disabilities.
Sayre developed play units to facilitate "therapeutic play" for children with severe disabilities. After extensive exploration, a presentation was made at the 36th Supreme Chapter in New Orleans recommending design, construction, and placement of said equipment. At Supreme Chapter in 1979, the national project was officially named P.U.S.H. Play Units for the Severely Handicapped. Fraternity members from chapters all over the U.S. raised money to support the placement of play units in facilities in several states, and P.U.S.H. became a separate non-profit organization with its own staff.
Severely Handicapped, to People Understanding the Severely Handicapped, to finally dropping the acronym all together to become Push America.
From a creative idea to an impressive reality, Push America has made definite Pi Kappa Phi history while having a huge impact on the Greek system. Currently, undergraduate members of Pi Kappa Phi have raised more than 7 million dollars for Push America. Through a variety of events, Pi Kapps not only raise funds, they provide service and education to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities.
At Zeta Chapter, Push America is an important part of our fraternity experience. We believe "service to others" is the best example of what words like "fraternity" and "brotherhood" are all about. That is why we enjoy the time we spend volunteering at facilities that serve people with disabilities, like the Charles Lea Center here in Spartanburg.
Locally, within the Spartanburg community, the brothers of Zeta Chapter contribute to Push Inc. by regularly working with a local organization called Recreational Activities, Inc. This is an organization that provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For instance, we take these people, many of them children, bowling or to play kickball or basketball or “botchy ball”. Near Halloween, we helped put on a Halloween dance for them. We introduce our new members to these types of experiences early in hopes of ridding them of any stereotypes they may have of the disabled community and to make them more into advocates for this same group of people.
The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle event beginning in San Francisco, California. The trek traditionally concludes in Washington, D.C. Annually the team composed of 54 cyclists and 16 crew members raises $350,000 in support of the projects and programs of Push America. The team splits in to two smaller teams of 35 men that visit an excess of 100 cities over the course of the summer. The trip is sustained by a national network of more than 600 volunteers that aids in the planning and execution of the event. Each year the team reaches over 38 million people through local and national media. It begins usually in June and concludes in mid-August. The entire project lasts about nine weeks. Cyclists raise at least $5,000 and crew members raise at least $2,500. The Journey of Hope is open to all undergraduate members of Pi Kappa Phi. Cycling positions are reserved exclusively for undergraduate members. Cycling eligibility expires upon conclusion of the summer after graduation. Alumni members may apply for crew positions.
In 1987, one man’s dream of riding his bike across the country came true. What he did not know was the inspiration and motivation his trek across America would give to Push America. The very next year his ride inspired Push America to create the largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope. Today the Journey of Hope covers 32 different states, cycling over 12,000 miles combined, it is solely comprised of members of Pi Kappa Phi and continues to spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities.
The Journey of Hope reaches out to people through newspapers, radio and television, civic groups and community leaders, reaching millions of people annually and bringing to the forefront the abilities of people with disabilities. From the inaugural team of 21 team members raising $20,000, the team has since been expanded into three different routes of 35 Pi Kappa Phis and annually raises more than $500,000. To date, over 900 undergraduates have participated in the Journey of Hope. One man’s dream made it all possible.
The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle trek beginning in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA and ending together with all teams in Washington, D.C. The event raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. Simply put, the Journey of Hope is a ride with a purpose. Make no mistake; this is not a simple ride. The Journey of Hope is about many things. It is about challenging the norm. It is about serving our communities. It is about finding out more about ourselves than we ever imagined. It is about having a dream. It is about a mission. It is about hope.
Wofford’s Zeta Chapter has been privileged enough to have 8 brothers ride for this honorable cause: Bill Holland in 1990, Shayne Daugherty and Martin Moore in 1992, Allan Anderson in 1994, Greg Bethard in 1995, Framp Henderson in 2000, Alan Henderson in 2004, and Spenser Smith in 2008. They can attest that it was a life altering experience that really opened their eyes to what the disabled can do, not what the can’t do.
Gear Up Florida has grown into two premier weeks of programming offered by Push America. Since 1997, the team has grown to a group of 35 men per year. The team travels from Miami to Tallahassee, crossing the state of Florida. The trip visits 13 cities in 16 days and raises an excess of $60,000 in support of the programs and projects of Push America. The team reaches an excess of 2 million people through a variety of local media. Gear Up Florida usually begins at the beginning of May and usually last about three weeks, two of which are spent on the road. Cyclists raise at least $1,800 and crew members raise at least $600. Unlike the Journey of Hope, Gear Up Florida is open to all members of Pi Kappa Phi. Both alumni and associate members are encouraged to participate. Ben Gantt represented Zeta Chapter in Gear Up Florida in 1999.
Besides the Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida, Pi Kappa Phi and Push America serve people with disabilities through other programs like Give a Push Weekend camps, Push Camps, Build America construction projects, and AccessABILITY construction projects. We, the brothers of Zeta Chapter, work to raise awareness, volunteers, and funds for these programs and for people with disabilities.
Learn more at the Pi Kappa Phi national website.