Additionally, the USD PIKES were also bestowed the following top honors: Raymond L. Orians Excellence Award, Chapter Alumni Advisory Board of the Year, #1 Attendance for PIKE University, International Involvement Recognition and other accolades.

The USD PIKES received the awards on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Pi Kappa Alpha’s International Convention in New Orleans.

The Smythe Award is the highest international honor bestowed on the top percent of Pi Kappa Alpha chapters. There more than 230 chapters in the United States and Canada. The Smythe Award recognizes a chapter that has excelled and set the standard of excellence on their collegiate campus—and also internationally. During the 2015-16 academic year, the USD PIKES produced the following accolades:

  • Donated more than $39,737 to philanthropic causes, most benefiting local sick and injured children;
  • Dedicated over 13,125 hours to community service;
  • Earned a chapter GPA of 3.2, with more than 40 men named Dean’s List Scholars;
  • 100% campus involvement amongst members;
  • Held more than 65 campus leadership roles;
  • Athletics success through intramural sports;
  • Sent more than 70 men to international events through PIKE University, Pi Kappa Alpha’s educational arm.

The Smythe Award honors the work of young men who have committed to the meaning of scholars, leaders, athletes, gentlemen – Pi Kappa Alpha’s four cornerstones – while supporting the community and each other. “Our fraternity enriches the college experience” said chapter president KC Herman, who is a fourth-year kinesiology and sport science major from Milford, Nebraska. “Our brothers strive to make a difference on campus and outside of the Vermillion community.”

The award is based upon excelling in 16 areas of operations: membership recruitment, chapter programming, scholastics, philanthropy, community service, member retention, member and new member education, athletic performance, management, risk awareness, campus involvement and leadership, community involvement, consultant vision analysis scores and international involvement.

USD Pi Kappa Alpha alumnus Dzenan Berberovic (’11) was honored with the Young Alumnus Award. Berberovic serves as the chapter’s advisor and chairs Pi Kappa Alpha’s Alumni Advisory Board. This award recognizes his dedication to our chapters, professional success, and his service to the greater brotherhood of Pi Kappa Alpha. Kappa Pi President KC Herman had this to say about Berberovic’s involvement in the chapter, "His dedication to everything he does is unparalleled. He is a sincere friend and role model to myself and truly lives up to the obligation of our great fraternity. He has made my fraternity experience one of a kind and is most deserving for this recognition."

Herman served as chairman of Pi Kappa Alpha’s Rules and Regulations Committee. In this role, he led efforts for revisions and updates to Pi Kappa Alpha’s codes.

Additionally, the USD PIKES were also honored with the Raymond L. Orians Excellence Award, Pi Kappa Alpha’s second highest international honor. The chapter was also a finalist for several programming awards and earned Pi Kappa Alpha’s Scholarship Plate, PIKE University 25 Man Commitment, Excellence in International Fraternity Involvement, and International Work Day recognition, respectively.

Press Contact
Hanna DeLange
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