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2024 Alumni Weekend
Come party with our NEW Alumni Association Board!
Friday Night Welcome Party
When: Oct 4th @ 7-10PM
Where: Ackland Art Museum (Columbia & Franklin)
Dress: Cocktail Attire
Food / Drink: Bottomless Beer & WineSaturday Tailgate
When: Oct 5th, 4 Hours Before Kickoff
Where: Kenan Stadium
Dress: Your lucky UNC gear
Food / Drink: Ice Cold Beer and Bolicious Janglin'Beer Olympics will be held at the the Saturday Tailgate -- so come (on time) ready to win!
Ticket Pricing:
$50 Football Ticket 1x (Must also purchase Homecoming ticket)$120 Single Ticket
$170 Single Ticket + Game Ticket$180 Couples' Ticket
$280 Couples' Ticket + Game Ticket$600 THE BUNDLER (5 Couples' Tickets) - If purchased, text Jeff (919) 452-6154 or Thiago (919) 749-9445 the name of the 4 lucky fellas you'll be bringing
As always, this event is open to Active Alumni only ($5/mo or $50/yr) -- If you are unsure if you are an Active Alumnus, please reach out to our tech admin, Jeremy Drawas at 919-264-9240 or [email protected]. You can sign up at pilamunc.com/active_alumni
Money should never be a factor when participating in Alumni Events, so if the ticket price is preventing your attendance, please reach out to Jeff Forbes at [email protected] or or Jeremy Drawas at the contact info above and he will work with you on a case-by-case basis. Volunteer roles also available.
WHENOctober 04, 2024 at 7:00pm - October 05, 2024 at 10:00pmWHERE
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2022 Letter Writing
In mid-July, Pi Lam Alumni will return to UNC's Office of Student Affairs to make our case for a shorter timeline for the revocation of our charter. We will bring any letters received to that meeting to help bolster our case.
If you can, please write a letter addressed to Jonathan Sauls, but mail it to Jeremy Drawas so the letters can be delivered together.
Deadline to mail letters: July 8th, 2022
Content:
Our message is laid out in our petition. Please keep the messaging similar, but use your own words as much as possible.Mail to:
Jeremy Drawas
222 Glenwood Ave
Unit #507
Raleigh, NC 27603
Address letter to:
Jonathan Sauls
Office of Student Affairs
Henry Owl Building, CB#500
230 E. Cameron Street
Chapel Hill, NCPetition link: pilamunc.com/recharter_petition
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See you soon!
Thank you for signing up to help us clean on July 9th! Your assistance will go a long way.
UPDATE: We will not have a dumpster, but will be doing dump runs with a trailer. All trash goes to back or on trailer (if parked elsewhere)
Please reach out to Jeremy Drawas with any questions at 919-264-9240 or [email protected]
Many folks helping today are friends of Jeremy / Brad, so don’t be surprised if you see some new faces.
Many items have been marked with tape:
Green Tape = Donate (put in Parlor Room)
Blue Tape = Keep (this belongs to the undergrads or needs to be kept by the fraternity)
White Tape = TrashCleaning Objectives (in order)
- Mattresses & Paint to the Trailer FIRST (must be dumped by 10am)
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Remove all trash from house
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Break down wooden structures, bring to trailer
(don’t throw away blue or green taped items)
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Break down wooden structures, bring to trailer
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Store all items to be donated in parlor room (TV area)
- If you’d like something that is marked for donation, it’s yours!
- Keep it tidy so we can easily showcase for Habitat for Humanity
- Break down benches and other wooden structures (bars)
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Clean surfaces (sweep / mop / vacuum / wipe)
- Clean items marked for donation (especially fridges)
- Lowest priority, but still important
Parking
If there is no parking at the house, I recommend parking at the "secret lot" located at 210 Pittsboro St. -- Take Pittsboro (directly across from the house and it's on the right <100 yards down the road.Food & Drinks
We will have bagels and coffee at the house starting at 7am and pizza delivered at noon. We have lots of waters and sports drinks. We'll also have coolers filled with beer for everyone. Niko Carlson may also treat us to some delicious (fresh) beer from his brewery.If you have any of the following, please bring them for the event: tools, truck / trailer (for haul away), gloves, strong friends.
We've been having some technical difficulties on our emails, so please share with anyone else in the area. Thank you and looking forward to seeing you soon!
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Petition for Defined Timeline of Pi Lambda Phi UNC Charter Revocation
We, the alumni of the NC Omega Beta Chapter of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity at UNC-Chapel Hill, are petitioning the University for a defined term for the revocation of our Chapter’s charter.
On March 28th, 2022, we were informed of the UNC Honor Court’s decision to indefinitely revoke our charter as a result of our undergraduate members’ violations of alcohol and drug abuse, hazing, and interfering with judicial procedures. Two weeks later, on the weekend of April 8th, our undergraduate members validated the Honor Court’s rationale by hosting an unsanctioned “formal” weekend where members continued their misconduct (alcohol violations and destruction of private property) despite being placed on probation by our Chapter Coaches and Pi Lambda Phi’s International Headquarters.
We alumni of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity condemn the behavior of our Chapter’s undergraduate members and have taken action in support of the Honor Court’s decision. On May 27th, 2022, our Chapter Coaches Board notified our undergraduate members that (1) we will close our Chapter and (2) they must vacate our fraternity house at 110 W. Cameron Ave. We do not seek exoneration but petition the University for a defined term of our charter’s revocation (ex. 2-3 years) where our alumni and International Headquarters can recolonize Pi Lambda Phi at UNC as the healthy, constructive chapter we all desire.
Pi Lambda Phi began as the first non-sectarian fraternity in the United States after our Founders were denied admission into other fraternities because of their race and religion. Our chapter at UNC, NC Omega Beta, has a well-established history of accepting members from every race, religion, sexual orientation, and creed otherwise – long before any of our peer social fraternities on campus. Across countless generations of Carolina graduates, students who were not accepted by other fraternities were welcomed and given lifetime fraternal friendship by Pi Lambda Phi. We believe that Pi Lambda Phi can be a positive influence on the Carolina Community and seek to recolonize our Chapter as soon as possible so that we can offer that same experience to future generations at UNC.
While being utterly disappointed by the behavior of our undergraduate members, our alumni recognize the need to be more engaged and be better partners with the University and Carolina Community more broadly. Recent events have spurred our alumni to be better organized and prepared to manage our chapter, once recolonized, through the creation of both a Chapter Coaches Board and a Housing Corporation. We know there are many additional steps we can take to recolonize Pi Lambda Phi on the best footing possible and look forward to working with UNC’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Standards Review Board, and Office of Student Affairs to identify and take those steps.
We hope that the University will judge Pi Lambda Phi’s potential by the values and actions of its alumni, rather than the irresponsible actions of our undergraduates, and ask the University to consider allowing us to recolonize as early as the Fall 2024 semester. This timing will allow our alumni to work with our International Headquarters and the University to ensure that NC Omega Beta lives up to the values we pride ourselves on while also fostering a positive chapter culture – internally and across the Carolina campus.
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Save Pi Lam at UNC
Fratre,
Thank you for your support as we go through these turbulent times. As you may be aware, a disgruntled former brother has submitted a trove of incriminating documentation, referencing hazing, drinking, drug use, and evasion of oversight to the university and to our nationals. Out of context, much of this information was extremely damning and painted a dire picture of our brotherhood. However, as you know, our core values as a fraternity are much stronger than a few bad apples' delinquent actions.
Among other activities, our Alumni Chapter has created a coaches board to help the undergraduates change their culture, conducted a membership review to identify and remove the students who instigated the trouble, and proposed a list of sanctions (including social suspension, a financial donation, and chapter probation).
Unfortunately, the university has deemed that are actions are not sufficient and have taken the extreme action of revoking our charter. We are hoping that this petition will help with our appeal. Please read below and sign if you agree.
By signing this petition, you're agreeing with the following statement:
"I am a brother of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity at UNC or was associated in some capacity as an undergraduate. During my time at Pi Lambda Phi, I never felt that I was forced, pressured, or coerced into doing something that I did not want to do. Furthermore, I feel that Pi Lambda Phi made a significantly positive change to my life and college experience. Lastly, I feel as if Pi Lambda Phi makes a positive impact on the overall community, as the only Fraternity on campus founded on the principles of non-prejudice."
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Jeremy Drawas commented on Alumni 2020-11-14 00:14:14 -0500Hi Thomas — You don’t have to pay anything at all to be involved with the alumni association and I would be more than happy to help you with your data request to connect with other alumni.
Alumni dues are completely optional and help us keep this site running, contribute to our endowment fund, allows us to help the undergraduates in times of need, and much more.
I’ll shoot you over an email today to help you connect with your fellow alumni and if you (or any other alumnus) would like to reach me directly, I’m available at 919-264-9240 or [email protected] -
Alumni Mentor Program
One of the many benefits of brotherhood is a lifelong connection to successful men who can share their knowledge with younger brothers. In the undergraduate years, brothers are paired with a Big Brother who helps guide them through university and life challenges. In an effort to continue the mentorship aspect of brotherhood, we have recently launched the Alumni Mentor Program.
The Alumni Mentor Program aims to connect undergraduate brothers with accomplished alumni in their field of interest based on a number of different criteria, including but not limited to:
- Professional / Vocational Interests
- Major / Field of Study
- Location of Internship / Job Opportunity
- Hobbies and Interests
Alumni Mentors and Undergraduate Mentees are matched based on the above criteria. Undergrads receive advice and guidance from alumni who can help them reach their goals much faster.
Become an Alumni Mentor
The program seeks alumni who are willing to devote a few hours a month to building a connection with and mentoring current undergraduates. Becoming an Alumni Mentor means you’ll be periodically speaking with your undergraduate mentee, helping them succeed through the difficult transition from college to the working world. Past alumni mentors have helped undergraduates with job interview preparation, graduate school advice, and even in finding a career they are passionate about. If you are interested in becoming an alumni mentor (we are always looking for more help!), please reach out to our Alumni Mentorship Chair, Jason Scanlan [email protected].
Matt Genett (right) and his Alumni Mentor Ed Hawes (left). Matt now works with Ed at Regions Bank.
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Jeremy Drawas commented on Little Fraternity Court's Annual Oyster Roast - Spring of 2015 2015-04-17 12:06:38 -0400Congrats on having such a successful event, even with the rain!
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General Donations
Through the volunteer and fiscal support of a group of alumni, we have been able to create our Alumni Chapter and begin to actualize our dreams of a strong alumni community. Their support has sponsored our data collection campaign, built our website, and helped with chapter operations.
Please join in and show your support as we continue to expand our efforts.
Not four years, but a lifetime.
Our donation portals are secured by NationBuilder Payment Platform. The Alumni Association manages all money donated. All donations will be divided between alumni services, fraternity improvements, and other ventures, as determined by the Alumni Association.
Donate
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Jeremy Drawas published John Coffey's Fond Memories of Michael Piller in Blog 2014-11-03 15:43:43 -0500
John Coffey's Fond Memories of Michael Piller
I recently received the following story from John Coffey and wanted to share. I hope you enjoy!
I was a senior, Archon and Pledge Master the year Mike Piller pledged. But even during the short time we had together, it was clear that he would go on to do great things. When he was a pledge, his claim to fame was that his mother had written a song in the 50's called “Mr. Football” (obviously creativity runs in the family.) Michael came to my wedding in Gastonia and I remember catching up with him when my wife and I returned to 107 Fraternity Court for football weekends. Later on during an internship, he worked with my wife in the news department at one of the Charlotte TV stations. While there, she taught him how to drive a straight-drive, as he had just purchased a used Jaguar XKE (a really hot car in the late 60’s) that he was unable to drive. Unfortunately as so often happens, we get busy with families, careers and other obligations and begin to lose contact with our brothers who were so much a part of our Carolina experience. How exciting it was to be watching TV in the 90’s and see Michael on the screen excitedly talking about a new series he and others were creating. Always the science-fiction buff, I had watched “The Next Generation” for years but never really looked at the credits and noted his name. My daughter and I watched “Voyager” regularly. I was truly saddened by his premature death in 2005. How neat that his son is continuing the legacy with the ABC series "Greek" and that Michael “lives on” in the new house.
John CoffeyClass of '67
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Jeremy Drawas commented on Past Presidents 2015-03-06 12:19:20 -0500Thanks, Tom! I’ve updated the list accordingly.
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Ideals
When people think of fraternity rituals they immediately have the image of dark rooms lit by candles, college students dressed in robes, outdated language and unusual ceremonies, including oaths, passwords and a secret handshake. Although this common perception of Ritual is accurate, what is often hidden by a veil of secrecy is the true purpose and a unique set of values behind the Ritual.
Pi Lambda Phi, like other fraternities, has a Ritual. Although our Ritual is a symbolic meaningful experience which connects Pilams throughout generations, it is also much more. Our Ritual is not just a ceremony performed a couple times a year, but a set of values demonstrated through the lives of our Brotherhood. Pilams are expected to make our Ritual part of their daily ritual, or in other words, live the values of Pi Lambda Phi each and every day. Pi Lambda Phi is proud of our Ritual and we want to share with you its true meaning. If you choose to keep reading, you will learn about the Ritual of Pi Lambda Phi and what it means to be member of our organization. If you find these values meaningful we invite you to join us in a challenge we call "Living your daily Ritual".
Scholarship
Scholarship goes beyond your undergraduate or even graduate experience. Brothers of Pi Lambda Phi commit themselves to a lifetime of personal growth and discovery. A true Pilam knows he always has something to learn and never truly reaches the end of his educational journey.
Character
A Pilam is a man of character, a man of class and grace, and a man who will "Always be a Gentleman". A man of character is someone who gives back through community service and philanthropy and is never afraid to stand up for his convictions.
Leadership
A leader is someone who is willing to take on challenges and guide others through them. A leader is also someone, at any level of an organization, who seeks opportunities for personal and group growth. Through Pilam, members learn how to lead but also learn about the idea of servant leadership and what it means to be part of something larger than oneself.
Obedience (Commitment)
Obedience refers to one’s commitment. A Brother of Pi Lambda Phi will always uphold his commitments to himself, his fellow brothers and all others to serve a greater good. Commitment comes in many forms, but none more important than committing to hold yourself and others accountable in times where it is easy to simply turn a blind eye. The lessons learned through Pilam enable our members to be successful contributing members of our Fraternity, their local community, and society as a whole.
Finance (Financial Responsibility)
Finance refers to how a Pilam chooses to invest his various resources; time, money and the relationships he builds throughout his life. A Pilam invests in his and others’ futures by wisely investing his resources and maximizing the return on investment in all facets of life, well beyond his collegiate experience.
Equality
Our fraternity believes that not only do we have to believe in equality; we have to fight for its existence. Therefore you will hear Pilams talk about the importance of the Elimination of Prejudice – a call to action. The pursuit of the Elimination of Prejudice is at the core of what it means to be a Pilam. Since 1895, Pi Lambda Phi has helped create a better understanding between people. Pi Lambda Phi and its members are committed to upholding the mission established by our Founders, and at the center of it all is the pursuit of the Elimination of Prejudice. To learn more about the Elimination of Prejudice philanthropy click here.
The Creed of Pi Lambda Phi
That all men are created free and equal.
That no society of men can flourish unless members of that society are endowed with the opportunities and privileges of freedom.
That freedom implies the elimination of prejudice. That the elimination of prejudice means a better understanding ‘twixt men.
That it is incumbent upon me to fight for such freedom, even with my life.
That it is incumbent upon me, in my personal life, to be devoted to the highest standards of honesty and justice.
That because my country is dedicated to the highest standards of freedom and justice for all men of all creeds, I hereby pledge allegiance to my country, and to its national symbol.
Alfred “Koko” Kovner’s Quote (1942):
“Joining a fraternity means nothing. But when you have really worked for it, sweated for it, cursed it, and loved it, as well as the men in it, you have something.”
Alfred "Koko" Kovner
Elements Quote:
“We have elements to mold this fraternity into a unit of proud Brothers. Our destiny lies within those Brothers who are willing to accept the challenge and undergo the task by assuming personal initiative towards an endeavor that will benefit Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity.”
Founders' Quote:
"Now, however, there has been founded the fraternity which seek only the most broad-minded, liberal, and progressive men. As will be seen in the account of this fraternity, in another part of this issue, the organization does not present itself as an experiment, but as an established fact. The fraternity seeks no members save those seeking it. And only the best of those who are progressive, industrious, and non-prejudiced, can seek it successfully."
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Chapter History
Omega Beta had its incipience in September of 1938, when James (Jimmy) Schleifer first discussed the possibility of starting a chapter at UNC, with Murray Vale of the National Executive Council of Pi Lambda Phi. In the Fall of 1938, Hal Warshaw had a talk with the coach of the North Carolina Lacrosse team, Al Cornsweet, who had started the Phi chapter at Brown, and told Jimmy about it.
A nucleus of eight men got together. Among these were Jimmy Schleifer, his room mate, Al Buck, Bob Lerner, Carl Sherman, Whit Lees, Murray Secher, Hal Warshaw, and Marvin Mendelsohn. Along with Nat Sontag, a member of the National Executive Council, the group became known as Omega Beta Local Fraternity. The UNC IFC was petitioned for recognition, whish was obtained in April 1939. Then, Norm Davis, Rex of Omega Alpha arrived, and Omega Beta Local Fraternity duly became the Omega Beta Pledge Chapter of Pi Lambda Phi.
In the school year of ‘39-’40, the group was eager to be inducted into the National Fraternity in Sebtember, but a University regulation stated that a fraternity must remain on the campus as a local for one year. So rushing began under the name of Omega Beta Fraternity, pledge chapter of Pi Lambda Phi. Eleven men were pledged that year.
On the sixth and seventh of April, 1940, having proved its stability on the campus to the satisfaction of the University and the National Fraternity, Omega Beta Fraternity, pledge Chapter of Pi Lambda Phi was inducted and became Omega Beta chapter of Pi Lambda Phi. The brothers and pledges were officially initiated and installed at Omega Alpha Chapter, by members of the National Executive Council and many undergraduate brothers. The fraternity house was located at 302 Pittsboro St., and later moved to 107 Big Fraternity Court, where it remained until the chapter folded in the 1980’s and the house was taken over by Phi Kappa Sigma. The former house is now occupied by Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and the latter by the brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi.Big thanks to Frank Serra for the picture of the old fraternity house above!
RECOLONIZATION
In the Spring of 1995, 14 young men were initiated as the first pledge class after the chapter folded. They were initiated at the UVA Omega Alpha Chapter, the brother chapter. However over the following year, apathy grew among the brothers towards the National Office regarding their lack of support in the chapters efforts of acquiring a house. Due to the troubled relationships between the colony and Nationals, the colony was disbanded in the Spring of 1996.
In the Fall of 1996, Brother Joseph Chipman, the only remaining brother from the earlier recolinization, along with Brother Allan Lovette, a transfer from the ECU Delta Zeta Chapter, and the brothers from the NCSU Epsilon Kappa Chapter sprearheaded efforts to once again bring Pi Lambda Phi back to the UNC campus. Through much hard work and perseverance, they recruited a nucleus of 18 guys. After pledging during the Fall of 1996, they were initiated at the Delta Zeta Chapter on December 5, 1996, becoming (along with Brothers Chipman & Lovette) the Alpha class of founding fathers of the Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity which has developed.
Thanks to the gracious donation of Michael Piller, who is among the greatest Pi Lams in our chapter’s history and the recent recipient of the highly esteemed Big Pi award, our brothers now live at 110 West Cameron Avenue in Little Fraternity Court. Here we come together to grow as men, socialize with our peers, and benefit the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mrs. Sandra Piller (middle) receiving Pi Lam's esteemed Big Pi Award in honor of her husband, Michael.
The Big Pi Award is Pi Lambda Phi International's most prestigious award.