Philanthropy and Pi Kappa Phi
Brothers gathered at the 35th Supreme Chapter, where Pi Kappa Phi voted to embark on a national service project, that would later become The Ability Experience.
A New Start
After failed attempts to start the service initiative, Owen and the National Council paused the search for a national service project in 1972. This was also due to the Vietnam War draft’s impact on male students and the Fraternity’s desire to focus on building membership and financial stability during the war. In August 1975, at the 35th Supreme Chapter, Owen felt the time was right to reintroduce the project. This new project would be exclusive to the Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Phi would be the sole beneficiary. No fraternity had taken such an initiative before, making this a bold move for Pi Kappa Phi. The idea of a blood bank program was considered, but It was determined not to be distinctive to Pi Kappa Phi and did not fulfill Owen’s vision. The search for the right idea continued.
