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Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012 4:58 p.m.

Pi Kappa Phi cycles for disabilities in 25th annual cross-country trek

by Kierran Petersen

One hundred Pi Kappa Phi brothers arrived at the Capitol Building on Sunday to a buoyant crowd of their friends and families after spending three months cycling across the country. Francis Rivera | Photo Editor

Correction appended

Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” blasted over the West Lawn of the Capitol Building as the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity completed their 4,000 mile bike trip across America on Sunday.

About 100 fraternity members, including four from GW, pedaled through a cheering crowd to finish the 25th annual Journey of Hope organized by the nonprofit Push America.

The group, which included members of GW’s Theta Zeta chapter Sloan Dickey, Nicholas Ducey, Ravi Durga and Jacob Sutherland, biked from the West Coast to D.C. to raise funds for people with disabilities.

“I have never been so proud of my country, fraternity and you,” Chad Coltrane, chief executive officer of Push America and Pi Kappa Phi alumnus.

This year, the brothers raised about $800,000, about $230,000 more than last year’s group.

Since the trip kicked off at the end of May, the brothers have rode about 75 miles a day, stopping along the way to spend time with disabled people.

Jacob Sutherland, left, and Nicholas Ducey, right, biked dozens of miles every day since May. Francis Rivera | Photo Editor

During one stop, Sutherland visited a nonprofit called Rainbows United, where the children and cyclists sang to each other.

Ducey played wheelchair softball and hockey with people with physical and mental disabilities – often times losing, he joked.He said the experience helped him better connect to people with disabilities.

“If you’re able to break down that wall and find a way to communicate with the person, than it will really open your eyes to some incredible people,” Ducey said.

To make the trip, Ducey struck a compromise with his parents who wanted him to spend the summer bulking up his bank account. Instead of studying abroad last spring, he chose to ride the Journey of Hope.

“I definitely made the right choice,” Ducey said.

This post was updated on August 5, 2012 at 6:05 p.m. to reflect the following:
The Hatchet incorrectly referred to the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity as Pi Kappa Alpha. We regret this error.

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Saturday, April 14, 2012 4:28 p.m.

Fireman’s Challenge brings in $50,000

by The GW Hatchet

This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Catherine Barnao

The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity raised more than $50,000 during its eighth annual Fireman’s Challenge this week, marking the most successful fundraiser in its history.

Hundreds of women from GW’s 10 sorority chapters packed University Yard at the field day event Saturday, which included a slip-n-slide, a fire house push and tug of war.

The fraternity wanted to raise $45,000 by Sunday night, but the organization topped its goal by Saturday morning and set a new target of $55,000. The official fundraising deadline is Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Proceeds collected during Fireman’s Challenge week will benefit the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation. Over the past eight years, the chapter has collected over $102,000.

Jake Miner, internal vice president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said the event broke records with funding and participation.

“As a four-year senior, I’ve seen this philanthropy grow from an event that raises, you know, 10, 12,000, to an event, on a national level for student groups, that raises some of the most money in the country,” Miner said.

Ben Winneg, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said that while the aggregate number encompasses a year’s worth of fundraising, “a hefty proportion of it comes from this week.”

The fraternity also hosted a volleyball competition, skit night, cooking contest and tours of the Washington Hospital Center’s Burn Unit.

 

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Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:24 a.m.

Activist urges students to help rid world of nuclear weapons

by The GW Hatchet

Matt Brown of the Global Zero movement urged students to aid in the fight to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Catherine Finsness | Hatchet Photographer

This post was written by Hatchet reporter Jake Swirsky.

The co-coordinator of a nuclear non-proliferation campaign urged students to strive for a world without nuclear weapons Wednesday in Funger Hall.

Matt Brown of the Global Zero movement said the world is at risk for total economic and civilization collapse unless people band together to get rid of all the nuclear bombs in existence.

“Unlike climate change, there are no technical or scientific overhauls or financial hurdles to dismantling the nukes,” Brown said.

Brown said nuclear weapons and civil resistance are two forces destined to converge and determine the course of history.

“There were two great powerful forces released 50 years ago,” Brown said. “One was one of the most destructive, horrible forces ever. The other was one of the great forces. These two forces are on a collision course. Only one will in all likelihood survive the 21st century.”

Brown said ridding the world of nuclear weapons would strengthen the global community financially, environmentally and politically.

GW Global Zero co-presidents Christina Walters and Mariah Helgeson said their goal is to inform students on campus about the specific aspects of nuclear treaties, and proliferation.

“I personally like to focus on the East Asian aspects of nuclear proliferation as that’s where my interests lie, but we focus on all aspects here,” Walters said.

GW’s Global Zero chapter partnered with Pi Kappa Alpha and the Elliott School of International Affairs to host the event.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 7:02 p.m.

Univ. reassigns Greek housing on Townhouse Row

by Madeleine Morgenstern

Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Sigma Sigma and Sigma Chi will each receive townhouses on Townhouse Row next year, replacing the three Greek-letter life chapters who are being kicked out after pleading guilty to charges of hazing, providing alcohol to minors and underage consumption of alcohol.

Three weeks ago, officials announced Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon would be losing their houses following three-month-long hazing investigations.

Student Activities Center Director Tim Miller said a more complete University statement on the reassignment is forthcoming.

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Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 1:04 p.m.

University gives Greek chapters plea extensions on hazing charges

by Madeleine Morgenstern

The University gave the three Greek life chapters charged with hazing and other Student Code of Conduct violations additional time to decide how they will proceed with the University’s adjudication process, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Judicial Services Tara Pereira said Thursday afternoon.

Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon were all charged with counts of hazing, providing alcohol to minors and underage consumption of alcohol. Pereira initially said the chapter presidents would have until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to decide whether or not to plead “in violation” or “not in violation” to the charges, but said Thursday that time has been extended.

Two chapters must now decide by Friday at 5 p.m. and the other chapter must decide by Monday at 5 p.m.

“All the chapters asked for extensions and they were all granted,” Pereira said.

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