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The Pi Kappa Alpha Fund is an account set up by the brothers of the Zeta Nu Chapter (EWU) of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (1966-78) in January of 2014.  The brothers are determined to raise $250,000, at which point the Archives and Special Collections at EWU will be named to commemorate the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members who want to give back to the institution that helped unite and shape them in their youth.

In addition, $25,000 of the $250,000 will endow a scholarship in the name of 1st Lieutenant Randy Van Turner (class of 1968).  Randy was a founding member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, was part of the ROTC, and graduated in Radio & TV in 1968.  He was commissioned into the United States Army in 1968 and was killed in action on September 25, 1969.  First Lieutenant, Randy Van Turner, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action on September 25, 1969 for his service with the U.S. III Corps in Southeast Asia.

How will monies be utilized?

All monies will be used to promote student success through two major library initiatives that serve all students in any of our academic programs and the endowed library Randy Van Turner scholarship fund helps support the education of a student who meets the criteria established by the fraternity.  Your contributions will have the greatest impact on this campus.  We serve over 12, 000 students, not to mention the community at large.

Digital Commons Project - This is a hosted platform that allows us to showcase both student and faculty research and creative works using technology as a vehicle to reach the global community.  Go Eagles!

Examples:

•         EWU Music Recitals and Other Performances
•         EWU Graduate Theses
•         EWU Undergraduate Research Projects showcased at the National Council of Undergraduate Research
•         EWU Faculty Research
•         EWU Applied Research
•         EWU Yearbooks

Hidden Collections Digitization Project - Why is this valuable project?  Our hidden collections are begging to come out of hiding.  In images alone we have over a quarter of a million images documenting for example, student life, rural life in the United States, history of transportation, and much more.

Examples:

•         Robert Gillette Album documenting  his experience in the  82nd Airborne
•         Significant Pacific Northwest historical photographs
•         Fabulous Curtis Prints of 50 Native American Tribes
•         Oral history collection of life in the Interior Northwest
•         Collection of Asian Art
•         Michel J. Demity Transportation Records and Photos

The Digital Commons was simply a dream in 2008-2009.  Due to the lack in state funding the project was put on hold.  We now have an opportunity to move forward with this vital resource that will impact the lives of all EWU students through the Pi Kappa Alpha Fund.  Imagine being a Biology student and being able to go online and view the most recent thesis from a fellow EWU graduate student, or a music student being able to click a button and hear the latest guest artist recital from the Music Department.   The Digital Commons is about access.  This access will change the lives of the EWU community at large.   The digitization (scanning) of these materials, uploading and then storing this material is a laborious and expensive process, but ensures that these valuable resources will be preserved and protected for all to utilize.

The impact of your donation does not stop there.  The library serves all students, whether they are majoring in History, Accounting, or Engineering.  Your donation will also allow the library to better serve these students at the point of need.

There are many ways you can give to the Pi Kappa Alpha fund such as cash, real estate, stock or bonds, to name a few.  Dennis Reed, from the EWU Foundation and the EWU Libraries’ Development Officer, can assist you in determining what the best option is for you.  His contact information is:

Dennis Reed
Mobile: 509.844.5916
Office: 509.359.6901
Email: dreed8@ewu.edu

Please help us in our vision to make the Digital Commons Project, the Hidden Collections Digitization Project, and the Randy Van Turner Scholarship fund a reality.  The renaming of the Archives & Special Collections is symbolic of the commitment shown by each member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members, to each other,  and to the commitment to honor  the role that EWU played in their lives.  It also pays additional tribute to one of their brothers, Randy Van Turner.  Your contribution underscores the power of individuals joining forces to serve other students in the most tangible way: education.

Current photo of Pi Kappa Alpha members
 
Pi Kappa Alpha Remembers and Gives Back Video