A Banner Reunion: Pi Kappa Alpha

The Pi Kappa Alpha Zeta Sigma chapter marked its 45th reunion in conjunction with 2013 Homecoming.

Enthusiastically welcomed back by 67 current-day members were more than 150 alumni, including a dozen men whose fraternity bonds extend back to the chapter’s chartering ceremony on March 1, 1968.

The founding fathers, together with the fellows who followed their lead in the years since, met in multiple venues throughout the get-together and participated in a whirlwind of activity that blended the togetherness of fraternal brotherhood with the pageantry of Saturday afternoon intercollegiate football.

Highlights included:

• Tom Gutierrez, a 1969 pledge who had remained near and dear to chapter hearts for 44 years, despite never attaining active status was inducted into membership during a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Zeta Sigma Chapter House overlooking the Indian River Lagoon.
• The 45th Reunion Dinner, held at the Chapter House, was emceed with great gusto by Brother Ed Gula ’01. The dinner was highlighted by the presentation of five awards known as “Ozzies,” an honor reserved for brothers who have made, or are making, a difference to Zeta Sigma, to Pi Kappa Alpha and/or to the lives of others.
• For many brothers on hand, the occasion marked their first time back on campus since graduation. “It seemed like time stood still for many of us,” said Jim Hughes ’74, the reunion coordinator who received a plaque bestowing on him the title “Zeta Sigma’s Godfather.”

Planning already is underway for Zeta Sigma’s 50th birthday observance.

Adapted from an article by Doug Lang