At the College of Charleston in 1904, three friends encouraged and supported one another to reach the highest possible levels of scholastic and extracurricular achievement. Among their goals were officer positions within the Chrestomathic Literary Society. Together they formed a group of 15 they called Nu Phi or non-fraternity to run a campaign against the fraternity slate. Elections were intense, but the Nu Phi ticket did not do well in the final count. It was later discovered that several of the members of Nu Phi had been disloyal to the group and had voted for the fraternity ticket. Determined to have a positive influence on their campus the men decided in order to do so they must form their own full-fledged fraternity. Despite offers to join the ranks of other national fraternities, they continued the legacy of Pi Kappa Phi. Today we continue the Nu Phi mentality and work to be different through the creation of Push America, being the first fraternity to establish a student leadership program and now work towards our Second Century Vision: Pi Kappa Phi will redefine fraternity as a lifelong brotherhood of leaders.

As the fraternity approached its 75th Anniversary, Durward Owen, Pi Kappa Phi’s executive director had the foresight to realize young men could benefit from the opportunity to serve the community. In 1977, Push America was founded to instill in all members a commitment to lifelong service and to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. Today, Pi Kappa Phi is the only fraternity to own and operate it’s own non-profit. Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have raised over $15 million to date and continue to change the way society views people with disabilities and fraternities. Each year more than 400 students participate in one of Push America’s five programs (Journey of Hope (pictured above), Gear Up Florida, Build America, Give-a-Push Weekend and Push Camp) and raise nearly $1 million for people with disabilities annually.