UW Fraternity Receives National Honor

Aug. 27, 2003 -- The University of Wyoming chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has received the international fraternity's highest honor, the Robert Adger Smythe Award.

"The Smythe Award represents superiority in all areas of chapter operations and outstanding achievement and involvement on campus," says Matt Caires, assistant dean of students for leadership development and Greek life. "Typically, no more than 15 of Pi Kappa Alpha's 215 chapters receive this award." The Smythe is named after the fraternity's "Grand Old Man," who was an integral part of Pi Kappa Alpha's expansion in the late 1800s. This is UW's fourth Smythe in less than 20 years since chartering.

Kyle Malnati, president of the UW chapter and a junior in finance, says UW was selected based on a number of criteria, including overall chapter size relative to campus (63 members); overall programming achievement; a special scholastic achievement award for implementing new programs to improve grades; and overall outstanding community service.

The UW chapter also was cited for leadership, for having three ASUW senators and for receiving Greek Man of the Year, Greek New Member of the Year, and Engineering Student of the Year awards. The chapter received the international fraternity's regional leadership award and the UW Progress Toward Excellence Award.

Malnati says the chapter was recognized for athletic accomplishments, including its third consecutive Greek Week championships, 15 members who are varsity or club sport athletes, and third place overall in intramural competition during the year. He added the international fraternity honored UW for planting shrubs to improve aesthetics of the fraternity house.

"Receiving this honor ranks among the best UW fraternity news in recent years," says Caires. "Pi Kappa Alpha is to be commended for the outstanding progress it has made during the past two years."

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003