Pi Beta Phi at RPI
Introduction[edit]
The first chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women was founded on April 28, 1867. It was the first national college society of women to be modeled after men’s Greek letter fraternities and was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois under the name I.C. Sorosis.
Installation of New York Epsilon[edit]
At RPI, the chapter was originally founded as Kappa Phi on April 27, 1982. The first meeting was held in February of 1982 in the dorm room of freshman roommates Yvette Ruiz Hober, who served as the chapter's first president, and Susan Mudrock Thompson, who served as the chapter's first Vice President. The 11 charter members initially wrote to the national Pi Beta Phi headquarters about national affiliation in 1982. The initial chapter of 11 went on to establish a membership of over 50 women in the following two years before becoming an official New York Epsilon chapter of Pi Beta Phi on November 17, 198. The first official Initiation Ceremony of the New York Epsilon Chapter took place at the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy. The installation banquet was held at the Russell Sage Dining Hall following the ceremony.
Philanthropy of New York Epsilon[edit]
Read > Lead > Achieve is Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropic effort, it aims to create a more literate and productive society by providing means to teach children to read. The New York Epsilon chapter raises money for this foundation through numerous events including their annual Powder Puff game, where fellow women's organizations on campus such as women's club and D3 sports teams, and other sororities compete against each other in a flag football competition. The chapter formerly hosted a fundraiser event called Mr. RPI. This event ran from 1985 until 2019 and involved different members from the fraternities on campus competing for the title of Mr. RPI. Some other philanthropy events the chapter promotes are Pie-A-Pi, in which RPI students can pay money to throw a pie at a chapter member, as well as Petals for Pages, in which RPI Students can buy flowers, their money then will be used to purchase books for philanthropy efforts.
Chapter Facilities[edit]
Their chapter house is located at 8 Sherry Road.
Current Pi Beta Phi House