When you sign your name across that dotted line you don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into. It all comes at you at once — a big ole’ smack in the face — and it’s awesome. OK, awesome most of the time, overwhelming the other 70 percent. I’m only preaching from experience but I’m hopeful that others feel the same. The Greek system is a lot to handle, we are all well aware of that. Yet, the Greek community often gets a bad rap, when in reality it can and should have an incredible reputation.
Phi Kappa Theta is one of 28 fraternities on the campus of Washington State University. Yes, this is the chapter that Paul Allen was a part of and if you were curious he rebuilt the house in 1996 and it’s sweet — they even have a basketball court, a pool table, and wait for it, an elevator! But besides having Paul Allen as an alumnus, Phi Kappa Theta is a well-established chapter and one of great merit.
PKT has over 50 chapters across the United States but our Washington State PKT was born April 29, 1959. After recently winning the Founders Cap, an award given by nationals to the chapter that reflects the greatest overall ideals and values, Washington State PKT is ranked as the number one Phi Kappa Theta Chapter.
During November each year, we witness the sprouting of mustaches on thousands of male faces. Phi Kappa Theta shows its’ "no shave November" support in a different way. These men go above and beyond basic mustache growth and spread the word about Movember. Movember is a foundation that exists to bring awareness to men’s health. It specifically helps educate the public and raise funds for research for prostate and other cancers that affect men. This past year Phi Kappa Theta raised over $5,000 for Movember and was the highest raising PKT chapter in the nation. These boys aren’t stopping there, though. This April, Phi Kappa Theta will partner with Lambda Chi Alpha for a joint philanthropy. They will host various events on WSU Mom’s Weekend, with the goal of raising money for two people who suffer from brain cancer — one, a teenage boy who is a family friend of a Lambda Chi Alpha member; the other, a 31-year-old father who is the brother of the old Phi Kappa Theta president. Just to top it all off, this past month alone the men of PKT did over 400 hours of community service. They are on fire.
So yes, the Greek community gets a bad rap, and whenever something bad happens it is well known. We often forget the incredible things the Greek system gives to universities, communities and to individuals. Aside from all the service, a fraternity or a sorority can become someone’s family, a home away from home. “We fail to appreciate all the positive and through the bad there is always good,” current PKT President Kyle O’Malley told me.
I have experienced this with my own chapter and one must take a step back from all the bs and reflect on all the magic. Ignore the negative media, ignore the negative remarks and think about the family that you have become a part of. The magical aspects of your chapter will always exist, some days we just have to think a little bit harder.
