Pi Kappa Alpha, commonly known as PIKE, is a fraternity at Northwestern State University dedicated to the four principles of scholarship, leadership, athleticism and being a gentleman. Members of PIKE can be found helping the community in almost every organization on campus, including Alpha Lambda Delta, Freshman Connector, Presidents’ Leadership Program, Student Government Association, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Catholic Student Organization and Demon VIP.
Andrew Slayter is a junior hospitality management major and a new member educator for PIKE who teaches new brothers the fraternity’s history. One of Slayter’s favorite things about PIKE is how diverse the fraternity is, consisting of so many different types of people. “It’s crazy how we all connect as one because everyone is so unique. Other fraternities are just one group, so I love how we’re different,” Slayter said.
Brett Brady is a junior electronics engineering technology major who chose PIKE because he wanted to be pushed to be the best version of himself he could be. “I saw that the guys in PIKE held themselves to a high standard,” Brady said. “I didn’t do much in high school, so I wanted to branch out and get involved on campus and in the community. Seeing how involved the PIKEs are and how well respected they are on campus sold me instantly.”
For some, PIKE offered a sense of comfort during dark times, which then encouraged them to join the fraternity’s ranks. Robert Norton is a junior general studies major and PIKE’s Membership Development Vice President. He is in charge of setting members up to be successful both in college and in the future. “When I transferred to NSU, I was in a poor spot mentally after losing four of my friends in a car accident. Even though I hadn’t signed a bid or become an active brother in the fraternity, Christopher Compas and Andrew Slayter reached out to see if I needed anything,” Norton said. “Even without knowing what was going on, they could tell I was struggling. They provided a family away from home that ultimately inspired me to join them.”
During the year, PIKE places a special focus on providing an academic support system for their members. “PIKE is unique because we make sure that school and fraternity balance is never an issue,” Norton said. “Our members know that, of our four principles, scholarship comes first, and we do everything we can to make sure our brothers get the degree they came here for.”
PIKE members push themselves to make the Natchitoches community better, striving to get involved both on and off campus. This year, PIKE raised money for the city’s animal shelters, helped at local boys’ and girls’ clubs and participated in campus cleanups. “Fraternities are more than meets the eye. It is finding lifelong friends, growing in leadership, excelling in school and helping out the community,” Brady said.
“If it weren’t for PIKE, I don’t think I would have developed the close bonds that I have with these amazing guys,” Brady said. “They push me every day and continuously tell me to be the best version of myself and that I shouldn’t change for anyone, so my advice is to find a group of people that will help you be the greatest you can be.”
