CHAPTER HISTORY

The Alpha Xi Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity has been in existence at the University of Cincinnati for over 100 years. It is host to over one hundred men that have been initiated into the bonds of lifelong brotherhood. All brothers of Alpha Xi uphold the values of the True Pike, committed to a life of caring for others as he cares for himself, and proudly displaying the qualities of S.L.A.G. (Scholar, Leader, Athlete, Gentleman.)

The men of Alpha Xi are dedicated to their academic success and rigor. In addition to being leaders in the classroom, the Alpha Xi PIKEs are leaders across campus in many organizations, including Student Government, community service organizations, upper level men’s honorary societies, student groups, scholastic honor programs, and many more.

In intramural tournaments, PIKEs achieve success dominating the football turf, basketball and volleyball courts, the soccer pitch, and many other competitive playing grounds, while displaying respectful and sportsman-like conduct. Above all, Alpha Xi PIKEs always act with the utmost respect to their fellow students, professors, friends, family, women, and brothers. The brothers of Alpha Xi strive to act in the manner of a true gentleman in any given situation.

Alpha Xi was originally established as Epsilon Gamma Chi by Frank Stanton Gavin, Elmore Curt Walters, Frederick Daniel Lotter, and A. Ellis McNelly in Burnett Woods on May 30, 1909. The following year on May 17, 1910, Epsilon Gamma Chi received a charter from the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Then, on May 21, 1910, fifteen men were initiated into the bonds of brotherhood in Pi Kappa Alpha, ceasing the existence of Epsilon Gamma Chi. Thus, was the beginning of the Alpha Xi chapter at the University of Cincinnati.

Alpha Xi has a rich history at the University of Cincinnati, the majority of which being spent at the beautiful Parkview Mansion, on 3400 Brookline Ave. It was purchased as the chapter house for the Fraternity in 1949, which was the former residence of Cincinnati political boss, George Barnsdale Cox. Currently, Parkview Mansion is on Cincinnati’s list of historical monuments and is currently under renovation to become the Clifton branch of The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

The Fraternity withstood all major struggles that our nation has faced throughout the century, including World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and the Vietnam War. Along with these struggles came decreases in memberships in the Fraternity, but Alpha Xi endured.

Alpha Xi has not only been a leading organization at the University of Cincinnati, but at the International level of the Fraternity. Alpha Xi has won Robert Adgar Smythe Awards in 1960, 1969, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. This is awarded to a Pike chapter that displays excellence above other chapters throughout the International Fraternity.

A short time ago, Alpha Xi moved from its former residence at Brookline Ave, to a brand new, state-of-the-art, chapter house at 2711 Stratford Ave., titled the Nester Home. Ground was broken for the new house during Homecoming of 2005, and after two years of hard work, the active chapter moved in on September 13th, 2007. The new house is a testament to how the Alpha Xi chapter is paving the future for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and other Greek institutions throughout the country.

Alpha Xi may have much history behind it at the University of Cincinnati, but there is much more to be made. This is only the beginning of a new generation for Alpha Xi.

Contributed by Nick Bartelme, Alpha 40

Fraternity History

The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was founded at the University of Virginia on March 1, 1868. At the time, the University of Virginia was the fifth largest school in the United States, and was considered the first truly American state university, because it was the first to be established totally free from religious control.

It all started in Room 47 West Range when Frederick Southgate Taylor turned to Littleton Waller Tazewell, his cousin and roommate, for help in starting a new fraternity. Also present were James Benjamin Sclater, Jr., a schoolmate of Tazewell, and Sclater’s roommate, Robertson Howard. Those four men voted to add a fifth to their group and chose Julian Edward Wood. In addition, William Alexander, probably a friend of Sclater, was proposed for membership and admitted as a founder.

The essence of the Founders’ vision for Pi Kappa Alpha can be found in its Preamble. A committee was first suggested by Brother William Alexander “to draw up a statement of the origin and the organization of the Fraternity.” The committee was composed of brothers Robertson Howard and Littleton Waller Tazewell.

The resulting statement is now referred to as the Preamble.

“For the establishment of friendship on a firmer and more lasting basis; for the promotion of brotherly love and kind feeling; for the mutual benefit and advancement of the interests of those with whom we sympathize and deem worthy of our regard; We have resolved to form a fraternity, believing that, thus we can most successfully accomplish our object.”