Gamma Lambda Reborn

On Friday, April 30, 2010 the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha was officially reborn at Lehigh University. It was an effort that involved brothers from numerous east coast chapters, as well as a number of Gamma Lambda alumni. What could have been a logistical nightmare (the initiation of 93 men individually) turned out to be a testament to the organization and will of the Colony, the alumni and the International Fraternity to move our Chapter into its next phase.

It did not start smoothly. Originally the Colony and the Alumni Board had contemplated a Friday evening of initiations and a
Saturday celebration of the recolonization, culminating in a chartering dinner Saturday evening. Unfortunately, a week before initiation, the University informed the Colony that no event could be held on University grounds beginning Saturday May 1st because of the final exam reading period. Recognizing that academics are a priority for the Chapter, and the difficulty in finding an off site location, the Colony and the Alumni Board agreed that a fall celebration made the most sense. We regret any confusion caused by this last-minute change.

However, the initiation moved forward. Friday was a long day, but a successful one. Individual initiations commenced at approximately 2:00 and continued until 9:30 p.m. (Undeterred, wise alums Fitzgerald and Taylor snuck away at some point for necessary refreshments and a large number of pizzas). Brothers from near and far, undergraduate and alumni, international officers and local chapter actives, all joined together in the University Center to initiate our newest brothers of the Gamma Lambda Chapter.

The effort of several initiation teams was required to perform the individual ceremonies. The day concluded in Packard Auditorium with the formal installation of the new Chapter officers and the chartering ceremony which makes Gamma Lambda, once again, an official chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha.

Alumni spanning many decades participated from early afternoon into late evening, including: Jim Barbour ’88, Jeff Boujoukous ’89, Joe Celauro ’61, John Fitzgerald ’78, Tom Frawley ’80, Karl Gabriel ’84, Peter Garibaldi ’80, Howard Goldstein ’86, Mark Hembarsky ’80, Charlie Keener ’79, George Klacik ’69, Chris Martin ’83, Eric Maurer ’88, Wes Taylor ’77 and Clarke Woodruff ’72.

Aside from our alumni, teams were comprised of undergraduate members from Pi Kappa Alpha Chapters at University
of Delaware, Drexel University, George Washington University, and New York University. Also in attendance were Past
International Vice President Bruce Wolfson, Director of Expansion Ryan Collett, Chapter Consultant Steven Aveni, Keystone Regional President Kyle Mathiot and Delta Eta Alumni Association President Ervil Francis.

After an inspiring presentation by Mr. Wolfson with a closing prayer by Brother Celavro, the evening’s formal ceremony concluded at approximately 12:00 a.m. At that time the alumni, a number of actives and the International Fraternity guests moved the celebration to the Tally Ho where they closed the bar down.