"The passage from adolescence to adulthood was once clear, coherent, and relatively secure: in their late teenage years and early twenties, guys "put away childish things" and entered their futures as responsible adults. Today growing up has become more complex and confusing as young men drift casually through college and beyond – hanging out, partying, playing with tech toys, watching sports. But beneath the appearance of a simple extended boyhood, a more dangerous social world has developed, far away from the traditional signposts and cultural signals that once helped boys navigate their way to manhood."
This synopsis by Michael Kimmel from his book Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men is a testament to the fact that the issues that face today's college student are different and more challenging than they were in the not-so-distant past. The experience provided through fraternal involvement is as important to shaping young men's lives today as it has ever been.
I'm still reminded of a conversation I had with my dad about the movie that still stereotypes today's fraternity experience, Animal House. He said that he and many of his chapter brothers sat in a midnight showing in the fall of 1978 and they enjoyed all the comedy and parody that the movie provided. But he then straightened up and became very serious and said "The perception of the college fraternity changed forever the moment we walked out of that theatre."
He may be correct that the perception of fraternities to much of the outside world has not changed, but Pi Kappa Alpha's Fraternity experience has evolved since the fall of 1978. Today's Pike experience is that of a ‘leadership laboratory' where our members are learning skills outside the classroom that give them a competitive edge during and after college. Contrary to popular belief, leaders are not born; leadership is a skill that is learned. Volunteers are needed today, more than ever, to teach these skills and be mentors to tomorrow's leaders. Pi Kappa Alpha's volunteers are teaching members how to lead, manage their peers, sell themselves, educate each other, manage finances, and be accountable. These are the outcomes that give today's undergraduate the true fraternity experience.
As today's fraternity experience evolves, so too does the volunteer experience. Gone are the days of one alumnus working with a chapter to advise them on every aspect of fraternity leadership. Today, advising is a team effort. Many alumni find themselves busy with careers, family, and their community while still wanting to give back to the Fraternity. The team concept of advising can help with today's time issues, which may arise when only one advisor is involved. With multiple alumni giving the few hours they have to teach the professional skills they have obtained, our Fraternity is giving today's college student the necessary skills to be successful and respectable men in their community.