WINTER 2023
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A FORMER ARCHON’S PERSPECTIVE
REFLECTING ON THE TRANSITION FROM ASHTON FOLEY TO NORTH JORDAN IN 1992 BY DAVE MAY
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he spring of 1991 was a magical and exciting time for the Pi Kapp Alpha Psi Chapter brothers. Sincere chartering in 1987, the brothers lived in a section of residence hall housing, Ashton Hall. While we all felt fortunate to have one common living space, we knew that our long-term goal was a true fraternity house. Most of us who had rechartered or early pledge classes, like myself (Alpha), didn’t think that dream would be a reality during our time at IU. However, with some good luck and lots of support from our alumni – the Alpha Sigma Phi house at 1415 North Jordan became available. Our dream to have a true house of our own was becoming a reality. As a senior and archon, I would have the opportunity to experience one final (victory lap) semester in our new digs. The move for me was both exciting and bittersweet. I had spent the majority of my college time living in Ashton Hall, where I developed life-long friendships and a lifetime of great memories. I knew that most of those friends were also moving with me, but it was harder than I expected to leave a building behind. No more would we hear the friendly voice of our beloved Janitor Bob signaling his welcome chant of, “hey ho dere!” No more quiet and loud sides (North Jordan was all loud side, as it turned out). No more tape ball in the common lounge, which also doubled as our chapter meeting hall, pairing command central, sand volleyball pit, Little 500 training room and party central, where everyone with good speakers had their woofers blown. Leaving behind the home where iconic moments happened, the filming of the immortal gunning video, around-the-world room parties, hamsters in space and the place where I met my future wife – was indeed a bit tough. However, the opportunity to build new memories and a new future for Pi Kappa Phi at IU was beyond exciting. We were determined to make 1415 N. Jordan a home worthy of the Pi Kapp name. I remember many summer workshop days where the majority of brothers drove into town to clean and refurbish a somewhat neglected Alpha Sig house. That summer included a lot of sweat equity painting, cleaning and rehabbing – efforts that guaranteed we never would take for granted the honor of having a fraternity house of our own. There were so many nights losing sleep over trying to keep our contractor on task to build our much-desired back deck, buying used vending machines, hiring (and I think firing) a house mom and keeping the kitchen staffed. And realizing that our new fraternity neighbors were not nearly as kind and loving as our Alpha Delta Pi sorority neighbors in Ashton. And more than 30 years later, I realize that both homes were just a helpful conduit that helped us forge friendships, develop lifelong brotherhood and provide a safe space where we learned to be better young men. I will always be thankful for those friendships, memories, and a fraternity that gave us the homes and space to make it all happen.