Alpha Phi Omega - Pi Rho Chapter

Pi Rho History
Researched & written by Anthony Masucci

The Pi Rho Chapter began with the leadership of the chapter's first president, Richard F. Haumann, and the sponsorship of Bruce Pritchard, an alumni brother from Iota Omicron Chapter at Gettysburg College. The 401st chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, Pi Rho, was chartered on May 15, 1966 on the campus of Rider College in Alpha Phi Omega's Section 25. Many of the founding brothers were from the armed services, and the chapter's office was located on the top floor of the Student Center. The brothers of the mid-late 1960's hosted a multitude of service projects, even some at their own homes. Some of their most noteworthy service projects included the organization of Ewing Township's College Cousin Program where many brothers became big brothers for kids in Ewing Township, the decoration of the gym at Rider College for the October 1966 Homecoming Weekend Alumni Dinner, the managing of the coat check facilities on campus, organizing and running regional fundraising drives for both the American Cancer Society and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the selling of tickets for the Jaycees Governor’s Classic Basketball Tournament, the sponsoring of the Ugly Man Contest to raise money for the college scholarship fund, and the hosting of Section 25 sectionals at the Schiff Scout Reservation in the spring of 1968.

The early-mid 1970's brought much change to Pi Rho Chapter, as well as Pi Rho's new APO home in Section 99. Section 25 was renamed Section 99 at the National Convention in 1972. The chapter decided to rush women to become "Little Sisters of Alpha Phi Omega". This became more and more popular in the chapter, as well as in other chapters as the 1970's moved along. Since the Little Sisters were not official brothers of Alpha Phi Omega, they were not able to register with the national fraternity as a brother. In Pi Rho, they were also not able to hold positions, receive little brothers, or vote. With the help of rushing women, Pi Rho had its biggest pledge class, the "Mighty" Mu Pledge Class of Fall 1973 which had 29 pledges. The active brothers at that time were always there to find ways to enjoy college life. Some examples include the semesterly APO barrel in the lake, playing APO intramural sports, making trips to NYC, playing late night glow in the dark frisbee, and much more. In all the fellowship, the brothers of the early-mid 1970's were able to provide service as well. Examples include going to Skillman Correctional Facility once a month, working security for the Four Seasons concert on campus, purchasing, painting and installing one clock in each cafeteria on campus, delivering the business newsletter to every business student, providing tours of the campus, representing Rider at the Freehold Raceway's Diploma Derby where Bob Fried placed third and donated his $150 prize to the Multiple Sclerosis Association, visiting orphanages and the Morris Hall for the Aged, painting of the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, and donating money to the Multiple Sclerosis Association which brother Craig Cooper raised by riding his bike off a seven foot ramp and into Centennial Lake in March of 1973.

During the mid-late 1970's, Pi Rho Chapter continued its ongoing service to Skillman Correctional Facility, hosted Section 99 Sectionals in Fall 1976, cleaned up and saved the ducks in the Centennial Lake oil spill during the 1976-1977 school year, had used book drives and sales, sponsored a bike-a-thon for the American Cancer Society which raised over $500, worked with the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf, raised money for the Delaware Raritan Lung Association, sponsored a Halloween party at the Johnstone Rehabilitation Center, participated in the alumni telethon, helped out at blood drives on campus, and had many more service projects. During the 1976 National Convention, women were voted to be able to become brothers of Alpha Phi Omega if their home chapters voted to allow them to become full active brothers as well. The Little Sisters of Alpha Phi Omega looked to finally be recognized as brothers at Pi Rho Chapter, but after much discussion and a chapter vote in early 1978, the Little Sisters of Alpha Phi Omega were voted not become full fledged brothers of Alpha Phi Omega at Pi Rho Chapter. They instead went on to revitalize Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority at Rider College. Regina Murphy became their first President.

A lot of the ongoing service projects of the 1970's continued into the 1980's. Pi Rho continued its service to Skillman Correctional Facility, continued its support at blood drives, continued to host used book sales, and continued to be an active part in Alpha Phi Omega Section 99 by hosting Section 99 Sectionals in the spring of 1981. Pi Rho also raised money for the United Way, helped out at a mental retardation center, answered phones for Rider College's channel 52, provided service at the Mercer County Youth House, participated in the annual Rider College Alumni Telethon, ran the American Cancer Society Radiothon, hosted various charity fundraisers, and much more. In the Fall of 1981 Pi Rho voted to finally become co-ed. By The spring of 1982, Pi Rho pledged and initiated its first female brother, Winona Fields, also known as, “The Sweetheart”. Pi Rho hosted Section 99 sectionals again in the fall of 1984, as well as brought home various section awards from other sectional events. They took home the Section 99 Man Mile Award both in Spring 1983 and in Fall 1985. Throughout the rest of the 1980's the chapter continued to find other ways to provide service and have fellowships. Meetings back then were held in the basement of Gill Chapel and various events were held in the woods on campus. Blood drives on campus continued to be a popular event for the chapter. Some other service in the late 1980's included working at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and helping out at a local Boy Scout Camp during clean up weekends. The decade drew to a close, but not before Pi Rho hosted Section 99 Sectionals one more time in the spring of 1989, this time in the brand new Business Building on campus. The chapter also took home the Section 99 Man Mile Award one more time in the fall of 1989.

Pi Rho entered the 1990's the way the chapter had always entered things, on fire! The chapter decided to host Section 99 Setionals yet again in the spring of 1991. After that event, the chapters numbers started to decline, and Pi Rho chapter looked like it was about to be extinguished. By the fall of 1992, the chapter had only a handful of active brothers remaining. Chapter President, Mike Kobrin, rebuilt the chapter over the next year. In the spring of 1993, Mike Kobrin was honored by being awarded Pi Rho's 1st Chapter Distinguished Service Key. During the mid 1990's, Pi Rho Chapter faced a rebuilding phase. With little connections to their past service projects, the chapter started from the beginning by participating in various small service projects and fellowship events. At the Section 99 conferences in the fall of 1996 and again at the conference in the spring of 1997, Pi Rho took home both the Section 99 Spirit Award and the Section 99 Brotherhood (% Growth) Award. Unfortunately, the chapter numbers started to dwindle once again and by the beginning of the fall 1997 semester, Pi Rho only had 3 brothers. Stephanie McManus, Ruth Obergfell, Peggy Schweikert decided to rebuild the chapter once more, they even took home the Section 99 Spirit Award that semester. The late 1990's were focused on rush and retention. Pi Rho won a few more awards from the sectional conferences in 1998. The chapter took home the Section 99 Spirit Award in the spring of 1998 and took home the Section 99 Brotherhood Award in both the spring and the fall of 1998. In 1999, another striking blow hit the chapter when Rider University seized the APO office of 30+ years on the top floor of the student center. Lots of chapter history was distributed among current members but much history was still lost…

Pi Rho began the new millennium by winning the Section 99 Man Mile Award, helping out with the upcoming National Convention in Philadelphia, and by awarding the chapters 2nd and 3rd Chapter Distinguished Service Keys to Peter Leing and Brian Janeczek in the fall of 2000. At the convention in late 2000, Pi Rho was awarded the Section 99 Website Award, attributed to Pi Rho’s first webmaster, Peter Leing. In the early 2000's, Pi Rho was involved with blood platelet drives, hosting Stay Awakes to raise money for various charities, being involved with the Special Olympics, and planning many events for the children at Homefront which included Halloween Parties and Easter Egg Hunts. Pi Rho Chapter was awarded both the Section 99 Spirit Award and the Section 99 Brotherhood Award again in both the spring and fall of 2001. Pi Rho also took home the Section 99 Man Mile Award in the fall of 2001. In the spring of 2002, Pi Rho awarded its 4th and 5th Chapter Distinguished Service Keys to Corinne Barger and Russell Burke. Distinguished Service Certificates were awarded to Melissa Weber, Daniel Smith, and Jessica Franko. Also in the spring of 2002, Pi Rho took home the Section 99 Spirit Award for the third time in a row. Pi Rho hosted a Mardi Gras Themed Section 99 Sectional Conference in the fall of 2002. The chapter had also grown to close to 60 brothers with the help of the fall 2002 Beta Phi Pledge Class of 25. Some of the pledges were from Rider University's satellite campus at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. Jessica Franko received her last two littles during that pledge season, making her total of 7 littles a chapter record. In December 2002, Pi Rho took home the new Travel around your Region Award at the National Convention.

Over the next few years, the chapter's numbers began to shrink back down into the teens, but the leadership, friendship, and service continued to shine. The brotherhood participated in weekly events including Special Olympics Bowling service projects, weekly laser tag fellowships, and weekly dinners after the meetings. More service was provided by helping out at Harvest Fest, continuing to support Homefront, continuing its semi-annual Stay Awakes, and attending various walks around the community. The chapter took home the Section 99 Spirit Award at the spring 2003, fall 2003, and spring 2004 Sectional Conferences. In the spring of 2004, Pi Rho awards its 6th Chapter Distinguished Service Key to Anthony Masucci. In 2005 Pi Rho becomes the big brother chapter to the new Petitioning Group at The College of New Jersey, sponsored by Pi Rho Alumni Anthony Masucci & Jeanine Puglisi. In December 2005, Pi Rho placed 3rd in Region I/II Roll Call with Arthur Couthen’s written roll call solo, which is the closest Pi Rho has ever come to winning a roll call. In the spring of 2006, Pi Rho Chartered Alpha Zeta Gamma Chapter at The College of New Jersey and also hosted the Section 99 Conference, Pi Rho's 40th Birthday style!

Today the chapter continues to grow, lead, serve, and shine in both the Rider community and in Alpha Phi Omega's community. May Pi Rho Chapter forever be united. Who's on fire? PI RHO!!

This electronic document is intended for public viewing and is solely for personal reference. It should not be considered an authoritative source nor an official publication of Alpha Phi Omega. Inquiries regarding Alpha Phi Omega and its official publications may be directed to: Alpha Phi Omega, 14901 E. 42nd Street, Independence, MO, 64055 - USA.