S.L.A.G. – Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, & Gentlemen
S.L.A.G. is an acronym for the four pillars of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. The ideals of scholarship, leadership, athletics and being a gentlemen are ideals that we take serious and try to install into each of our members to make them well rounded and help add to the success of the fraternity.
Scholars
Scholarship is a very important aspect of the fraternity and its members. Let’s be honest, school and achieving some form of degree is the main reason why we are attending college. Being dedicated to ones scholastic obligations is a principle that Pi Kappa Alpha stresses in its membership. Dedication to classes shows a man’s determination to better him and what he can achieve on a personal level. Anyone subscribing to the myth that grades don’t count is fooling only himself. Poor work in the classroom will result in closed doors and opportunities. Attention to scholarship is important to an individual’s future. Scholarship is central to the Fraternity’s purpose and goes a long way in determining its reputation and standing.
Leaders
Leadership can be seen in many different forms in Pi Kappa Alpha. Obvious leadership roles are the chapter President or members that have high profile campus involvement positions or men that play on varsity sports teams. Leadership in chapter members is something that is encouraged and chapter initiative is welcomed. Leadership can be taking charge when on the intramural field, organizing a chapter chairman position, heading some sort of project to benefit the Fraternity, or getting involved in another campus organization, many times used for rushing other potential quality members. Encouraging leadership in our members helps build personal confidence, independence, and prepares our members to have a quality that employers are looking for after the college experience.
Athletes
The chapter’s athletic program revolves around intramurals but also includes inter-PiKA sporting events, special sporting events and tournaments, and physical fitness. PiKA tries to place at least one team in every intramural sport offered on campus. Fraternity intramurals are usually very competitive. Being competitive and winning frequently gives the chapter a sense of pride while building teamwork. Being successful on the playing field shows strength and unity that PiKA possesses to competitors and other fraternities. Athletics are also viewed as goals to achieve personal performance, to be physically fit, and for teams to achieve championships and intramural trophies to heighten self-respect for the fraternity.
Gentleman
The primary object of the college fraternity has always been to produce a well-rounded individual, intellectually, athletically and socially. Success in life, in whatever form and shape the individual desires, is dependent to a great degree on how well he can get along and act with others. Being a gentleman can be a powerful complement to a solid education, and one that will provide rich rewards in your job interviews and later life. Good sense and good manners are absolutely essential in a man’s pursuit of education, financial reward, and happiness in public and private life, and if you are to enjoy success in marriage, business, and in your relationships with others.