The early history of Pi Lambda Phi can be divided into two periods. The first, known as the Founders’ Period, began with the inception of the fraternity at Yale University in 1895. In a few short years the fraternity grew to a position of enviable promise and achievement only to totter and collapse with equal suddenness.
The second, or Revitalization Period, dates from 1908, when the Alpha chapter was established at Columbia University. It is from this chapter that the current Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity developed-young, vibrant and energetic-into its current status among the great collegiate fraternities.
1949 - Kappa Tau fraternity founded at RPI. Founders are Kenneth Anderson (Founding President), Branting, Hickey, Clough, Dick Morse, Reynolds, Robinson, Schlicht, Stattel and Vallance. Dick Morse sent an alumni update.
1954 - Kappa Tau affiliates with Pi Lambda Phi.
“Prior to the move to 300 Pawling, the house was at 248 Eighth Street, on the northeast corner of Eagle Street. It has long since been torn down.
The fraternity was founded in a house rented from a faculty member. It was on the same block but on the other side of the street, farther north and almost at the next corner. I believe we stayed there only a couple of years.” (thanks to Roger Orloff.)
1956 - Roger Orloff provides a memoir of his time at RPI.
1962 - Steve Mirer ‘62 writes in “It’s refreshing to see that some things never change - the fraternity house needing major improvements to keep it from being a hazard. My experience was with 248 8th St., but it sounds the same.”
1964 - Here is a picture of the brotherhood ca. 1964.
1968 - Rabbi Joshua Segal writes in “I have great memories of my years at NYKT of Pi Lambda Phi. Beyond the pure fun, I suspect that I learned more about the economics of running a house in my year as KOE, than at any time of my life. 248 8th Street was an absolute sieve in the winter. The tank truck would be by weekly in the winter — but then again, heating oil was about $0.069 per gallon!”
1969 - Chapter House at 300 Pawling Avenue purchased. Follow the link for a detailed history of the Chapter House, courtesy of Matt Adams ‘02.
More details courtesy of Rabbi Joshua Segal: “We actually took ownership of the house in the late spring of 1969. I remember that because the lease on my apartment ran out on Jun. 30 and the lease on my new apartment started on July 1. Ergo, we (Bruce Friday and I) had no place to sleep on that night. We parked a U-Haul trailer (attached to my car) under the canopy and we slept in sleeping bags in the corridor near the door. (We were concerned after years at 248 8th Street, that our belongings were not really safe in the U-Haul.).That summer, Lyle Leverich, almost single-handedly, installed the sprinkler system. It seems like a room or two was added in the basement under the porch and a room was added in the tower. We had to add fire doors in places, but as best as I remember, all the other things that appeared to be “additions” were done prior to our buying it.”
Lyle Leverich clarifies and adds to Rabbi Segal’s comments regarding the beginnings of the NYKT chapter:
1972 - Rush Pamphlet (courtesy Steph Valentine ‘72). One of the rushees during this time was Mark Tollin.
1992 - Chapter House is used in Al Pacino movie “Scent Of A Woman.”
1998 - Mufasa is the House mascot. Michael Nerenburg remembers Mufasa.
Current Rooms & Occupancies: Tower - 1, High Country - 3, Shoebox - 1, Pit - 2, Cage - 3, Mandarin Suite- 2, Hotel Felz - 2, Milk & Cookies - 3, Waterfront - 1, Obie’s Room - 1, Sun Porch - 3, Freeway - 1, Low Country - 1, Happy Room - 1.
Hotel Felz named after Darren Felzenberg.
Milk & Cookies named after David Worth and Mark Dobrosielski.
Obie’s Room named after Todd Obermeyer.
Happy Room named after Frances “Happy” Hallahan.
Dishwasher named “Roger” after Roger Orloff.
Refrigerator named “Marvin” after Marvin Meistreich.