THE • PI • KAPPA • PHI • FRATERNITY
Omegalite JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Omega alumnus becomes Mr. Pi Kappa Phi
A longtime national volunteer and former local housing corporation member has become the first Omega alumnus to receive the fraternity’s highest honor, Mr. Pi Kappa Phi. Greg Linder (Omega 951) received the honor June 8 at a national alumni gathering in New Orleans. Linder’s two sons, both Pi Kapps – Nick (Psi chapter-Cornell) and Greg (Alpha PsiIndiana) – read a res- Greg Linder (center) holds his framed Mr. Pi Kappa Phi resolution presented on olution and presented June 8, in New Orleans. He is flanked by his two sons (Nick, far left and Greg), the award. Five previ- wife Madeleine as well as Joan and Mark DeFabis. ous Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Commission building up to the great organization is truly an Award winners attended the event, 2004 anniversary of the national honor to me.” too. fraternity’s founding. As DeFabis noted, Linder was Linder and the late Tim Ribar (Xi Childhood friend and fraternity modest about such an honor. chapter, Roanoke) were the 47th brother Mark DeFabis (Omega “Now that time has passed (since and 48th such winners. 947) traveled from Indianapolis to the presentation), I am humbled “The Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Award be at the award presentation. that I was selected and my reaction shall be recognized as the highest “It was a special moment for me is more so that I need to do even and most prestigious honor to be able to witness him receiving more for the fraternity to convince bestowed upon a member,” accordthe highest award that our fratermyself that I have really earned ing the Gold Book national laws. nity bestows on anyone,” DeFabis this distinction.” Linder’s national contributions said. “It was particularly rewarding According to DeFabis, Linder has include being a Pi Kappa Phi to see someone as low key and never lost sight of the students who Properties board member continuunassuming as Greg be recognized are the lifeblood of the fraternity. ously since 1990. Properties helps publicly … It was a thrill of a life“As he said in his acceptance acquire and manage chapter houstime.” speech, he has taken every chance es, primarily when the fraternity For Linder, he was proud to have he has had, whether traveling to a expands to a new campus. DeFabis alongside his family in chapter house or at a national Furthermore, Linder served the New Orleans. meeting, to talk directly with Omega of Pi Kappa Phi Inc., hous“My pledge brother, roommate undergraduates and help instill in ing corporation for 10 years, beginand best man at my wedding was them the passion he has for Pi ning in 1989. He managed the the most special,” Linder said. “The Kappa Phi. He stands as an examreconstruction of the Omega chapfact that my sons, who are fraterni- ple for every undergraduate for ter house following a June 1987 ty brothers actually presented me what brotherhood and fraternity fire. He also served as a member of the award was overwhelming. The embodies both as a student and an the national Centennial actuality that my sons joined this alumnus.”