Rho Iota Kappa

In 1908, 20 years after the establishment of the agricultural school which was the forerunner of the University of Rhode Island, Alpha Chapter of Rho Iota Kappa was born. From the start, in a house leased AbOUT one mile from the college, the 17 members desired that this local fraternity might someday be a chapter of a national organization. Rho Iota kappa did quite well as the first fraternity on campus, changing its location once or twice until the present house was built in 1928 just inside the college gates.

Priding themselves on being the first fraternity on campus, the members of Rho Iota Kappa were reluctant to go national although other national chapters were rapidly being founded. However, in 1956 the fraternity’s membership, for some reason became low and a national pharmaceutical fraternity, Kappa Sigma Kappa, was allowed to move in for the upkeep of the house. An unusual situation thus occurred – two fraternities living in the same house. The arrangement was temporary although it did serve to point up the need for strong national affiliation. In 1959 the chapter served its brief association with Kappa Sigma Kappa.

Although the local fraternity became well established once again, most of the members seeking security, backing and a broad, modern outlook on fraternity life, desired to become part of a sound, well-established national fraternity. With the reluctant consent of their alumni, as well as some active, die-hard members, Rho Iota Kappa chose to affiliate with Chi Phi in 1961, after investigating a dozen other nationals. Perhaps the main reason for affiliating with Chi Phi was the apparent unity and closeness (spiritually) of its chapters and the great amount of interest which the national had in its members and which it exhibited towards Rho Iota Kappa. At any rate, P.I.K chapter was installed on February 3, 1962, a memorable occasion after which it has placed high among fraternities on campus.

The twenty-six charter members were initiated at Kingston, Rhode Island by an initiation team of brothers from Phi Zeta Delta, Beta, Theta, and Chi chapters. The first Alpha was Richard Bender ’62, and the first alumnus to be initiated was James Shaw ’23.

With the assistance of a loan from the Chi Phi educational Trust, an addition to the house was built in 1966, increasing the sleeping capacity and adding a new dining room and a much enlarged living room.

Under the sponsorship of David E. Hodgkinson ’67 the alumni established a Rho Iota Kappa Alumni Association during February 1969.

The chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1972 with many alumni returning to commemorate the event. The Association under Paul M. DePace ’66, President, held its annual meeting at the chapter house. Tom Scarponcini ’72, one of the first two undergraduates to ever serve on the Chi Phi Council, was the chairman of the learning committee.

The roll contains 215 names, 215 living and none deceased.