* Alumni Encouraged to Stay Invested in Pike’s Future
* All Members Invited to Utilize Chapter House
Our new home on River Road is complete and, as a new era in Alpha Mu’s history begins, I reflect on my many conversations with alumni. Most reminisce about their good times at 360 S. Lumpkin and describe its grandeur—particularly the Red Room—as a great place to entertain their guests. Conversely, some alumni express their displeasure, resentment, and embarrassment that the house was allowed to deteriorate.
I cannot blame them for those feelings, but we as alumni share culpability for allowing our former home to atrophy in front of our eyes. A fraternity house is as much a reflection of the alumni as it is its undergraduates. Somewhere along the way alumni lost touch with Pike. Several of us tried to help but it takes a continued commitment of time and financial investment for a fraternity to prosper. When we say that we are Pike at Georgia, we want people to feel positive about the Chapter.
Our new home on River Road has given us a second chance. We can choose to be more active by supporting the House Corporation financially and sending in recruitment recommendations. We can choose to be a part of making Pike the best fraternity on UGA’s campus. The opportunity is here and I am rejuvenated by the alumni response. Alumni simply want a sustainable and quality product in which to invest.
Undergraduates have only been part of Alpha Mu for a few years. We cannot realistically expect 18-22-year olds to operate a $3.5 million investment. That responsibility resides with us. We spend most of life as alumni, not as undergraduates. The Fraternity house exists for the benefit of both.
Our Chapter is special. We have a Heisman Trophy winner, prominent businessmen, and civic leaders. Our actives are members of the president and dean’s lists. Pikes are members of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Order of Omega,Order of the Greek Horseman, Sphinx and Gridiron.
I want to thank those alumni who have made contributions to the new house. A huge thank-you to Allen French ’74 for his generosity to the House Corporation—he was the first brother to volunteer and make a financial commitment to this project.
Dean Mannheimer ’98 has been instrumental as Chapter advisor and AM Dawg secretary. Dean manages alumni bank accounts at Athens First, ensuring gifts are processed properly and giving records are maintained.
It is an honor to recognize Andy Day ’94 for the tremendous effort he put toward this project. He has been the backbone of this endeavor and the new house is a reality because of his tireless effort. Few times in this life are you afforded an opportunity to work with a person you both admire and respect so much. Andy was SMC when I was a pledge. He is the reason I joined Pike and the reason I remain active as an alumnus. Alpha Mu is forever indebted for his service.
Phi Phi Kappa Alpha,
James B. Gates ’97
President, AM DAWG Inc.
Jbgates78@gmail.com |
