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Preserving Iota Iota History

For more than three decades, the composites hanging in the Pike House have documented the brothers who have been part of the Iota Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at Michigan State University. Over the years, however, a number of those composites were lost, removed from the house, damaged, or preserved only in lower-resolution digital files. With the help of people like Mike Virkus, Martin Hilliard, and Patrick Thomas, we have launched an effort to locate, professionally scan, digitally preserve, reprint, frame, and return these historic composites to the Pike House. Our goal is simple: restore as much of Iota Iota's history as possible and make sure it is never lost again.

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The Hall of Greatness

The restored composites will become part of the chapter's Hall of Greatness, creating a visual history of Iota Iota for current members, alumni, parents, and future generations of Pikes. This is about more than filling empty spaces on the walls. Each composite represents a group of brothers, friendships, experiences, and a year in the history of our chapter.

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Great Progress So Far

Thanks to the help of alumni, we have already recovered a significant portion of the chapter's historical composites. A number of physical composites from the chapter's earliest years have been located and are being professionally scanned at high resolution. We have also recovered digital files for many of the more recent composites.

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Alumni including Mike Barber, Tim Roche, Craig Stephens, Andrew Newhouse, Zach Morris, Griffin Romney, and others have helped us locate, loan, or provide physical and digital copies. Several older composites have now been sent for professional scanning so that we can produce high-quality digital masters before the originals are returned to their owners.

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Reprinting and Returning the Composites

Once suitable digital files are available, missing composites can be professionally reprinted, framed, and installed at the Pike House. A special thank you to Patrick Thomas and Mike Virkus, who have volunteered their time to help with the printing, framing, and installation effort.

 

This project would not be possible without alumni volunteering their time, searching through old photographs and storage boxes, loaning valuable originals, and helping us track down other brothers who might have a missing composite.

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We Still Have Work to Do

Although we have recovered many of the missing years, several composites remain unaccounted for. We are asking every Iota Iota alumnus to take a look around. You may have an old composite hanging in your home, stored in an attic or basement, or sitting in a box that hasn't been opened in years. Even if you don't have one yourself, you may remember another brother who does. We are currently searching for:

  • Original Founders Photo

  • 2002–2003

  • 2007–2008

  • 2008–2009

  • 2009–2010

  • 2010–2011

  • 2011–2012

  • 2012–2013

  • 2019–2020

  • 2020–2021

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If you have an original—or even know someone who might—please contact us at: msu.pikappaalpha.alumni@gmail.com

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Help Support the Restoration Project

We are extremely grateful to the alumni and friends who have contributed financially to the Composite Restoration Project. Those contributions are helping pay for expenses including professional scanning, digital restoration, printing, framing, and installation. Thank you to our financial contributors:

  • Corey Bryce

  • Kollin Fencil

  • Justen Grech

  • Martin Hilliard

  • Rick Krugh

  • Brad Maytum

  • Rick Noechel

  • Karl Scheribel

  • Kevin Wilberding

 

Additional contributions are greatly appreciated as we work to complete the project. 

 

Make a Donation to the Iota Iota Composite Restoration Project.

 

Thank you to everyone helping us preserve this important part of Iota Iota's history. Every composite we recover brings another piece of Iota Iota history back home.

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