In 2006, members of Pi Kappa Alpha volunteered more than 1,000 hours of community service by renovating the Frear Park ice skating ring, assisting with the Hudson-Mohawk Industrial Gateway Gala event, and helping with the restorations of Saint Paul the Apostle Church and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church among other activities.

Vice President for Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles said, “The award represents an affirmation of the consistency of RPI student involvement in community service.” Last year, Rensselaer students combined for over 30,000 hours of community service, according to Knowles. “We’re proud of all our students who serve the community,” he said.

The RAA Community Service Award for Greek Life was created in 2006 to recognize a fraternity or sorority involved in community service and philanthropic activities that has a significant and positive impact on the community. The award comes with a plaque and a $1,000 donation made to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Pi Kappa Alpha chose to donate its prize money to the American Cancer Society in honor of their brother Jeff Hartnett ’02, who was diagnosed with cancer last year and is currently undergoing treatment.

RPI is a member of the New York Campus Compact, a coalition of over 70 colleges and universities in the region and the largest such association in the nation, that strives to promote active citizenship as an aim of higher education.