Philanthropy and Pi Kappa Phi
Durward Owen, Xi Chapter (Roanoke College), Pi Kappa Phi’s longtime Executive Director, and the visionary behind the Fraternity’s philanthropy.
The Beginning of Pi Kappa Phis's Philanthropic Journey
In 1959, Durward W. Owen, Xi (Roanoke), became the executive director of Pi Kappa Phi. He envisioned creating a national service project during his tenure, one that would engage members in service to others and create a shared purpose across chapters nationwide. Throughout his first decade in the role, Owen focused on growth and laying a solid foundation for the Fraternity’s future. By the early 1970s, the time felt right to pursue a service initiative. Wanting to align the project with the values and interests of college students at the time, Owen explored opportunities focused on the environment.
