.Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life celebrates 150 years
Alumni of Purdue’s Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life (FSCL) community gathered in late September to celebrate the organization’s 150th anniversary and its ongoing commitment to scholarship, service, philanthropy and leadership development.
Generations of Boilermakers have found their place in the FSCL community, beginning in 1875 with the founding of the Delta Delta Chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity. The first sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, was founded in 1915, and the university began offering its first cooperative houses in 1937. Today, FSCL boasts one of the largest fraternity, sorority and cooperative life bodies in the country, with more than 6,500 students holding membership in 90 organizations governed by five bodies — the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Purdue Cooperative Council.
Boilermakers such as Angela Costley Harris (BA psychology and organizational development ’89) have taken their first small steps toward becoming leaders in their workplaces and communities by taking on leadership roles in their FSCL organization. During her time as a student, Harris served as president of Alpha Chi Omega and later served as the organization’s national president from 2016-20. Today she owns and operates a consulting firm where she serves as an organizational strategist, board and executive coach, and brand ambassador.
“The opportunity to serve as chapter president altered the course of my professional life,” Harris says. “Through leading and collaborating with peers; being mentored, challenged and supported by alumnae advisors; and sharing challenges with other FSCL chapter presidents, I learned communication skills and conflict management, how to handle confidential situations and the utter joy that comes from doing your best alongside others doing their best. Those learnings have served me at every stage of my life and career.”
To celebrate the impact of experiences such as Harris’ over the last 150 years, FSCL hosted a series of events Sept. 26-27. Alumni participated in community tours, organizational open houses, an oral history booth, and a formal banquet and after-party.
The celebration engaged and connected alumni and students alike. Matthew Williams (BS biomedical engineering ’25) served as a co-chair for the 150th anniversary steering committee as he pursues a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. With recent experience as president of Theta Chi fraternity and associate chief justice of the Purdue Interfraternity Council, Williams saw firsthand the power of the connections between current students and alumni across diverse organizations.
“Something that comes up every year with council leadership and the chapter presidents is that they want to have more cross-council collaboration,” Williams says. “This was a good steppingstone in that direction. It’s hard to find events that cater to all councils because they’re all so unique, but one of the main similarities is that they all have a sense of community that students are looking for. As different as the backgrounds of some of these organizations can be, there’s still a common ground around community and leadership.”
One major component of the celebration was the recognition of FSCL’s 150 Most Influential Alumni, selected by FSCL leadership from hundreds of nominations by Purdue alumni and friends. Honorees represented generations of Boilermakers who have made an impact on their profession and communities, spanning from the 1880s through the present day. Influential alumni were highlighted on FSCL social media and received recognition at the 150th anniversary banquet and, in some cases, at their organization’s house.
Rick Conner (BS chemical engineering '76, above right) received a welcome surprise when he was recognized by Hugh Pence (BS general agriculture ’54, MS agronomy ’58), who had served on the house corporation board for Theta Chi when Conner was a student. A dedicated alumnus who served the chapter for over 25 years, Pence was instrumental in securing the current location of the chapter house and provided ongoing support to the brothers of Theta Chi. While Conner was grateful to receive recognition alongside fellow influential alumni, Pence’s involvement made the honor even more special.
“I was humbled when he arrived at our chapter house to honor myself and the other Theta Chi honorees,” Conner says. “There were three people on the alumni board as I was a student working my way up, and he was one of them. I took a few years off after graduating, and guess who was there when I came back? Hugh Pence. He’s been a stalwart. He brought the Christmas tree for the house from his farm every year, and the wood in the living room today is from a tree out of his walnut farm. It was amazing seeing him there at 94 years old, and he was so happy to be there.”
Approximately one-third of the 150 Most Influential Alumni were able to make the journey to Purdue or have family present to receive their honor. For many honorees, the recognition affirmed their commitment to live according to their organization’s values.
Randy Herrel (BS aeronautical and astronautical engineering '72, pictured left) was a member of Triangle fraternity and went on to lead several global companies after beginning his career as an aerospace engineer. For Herrel, the moment was a validation of the values he shared with his fraternity brothers and continues to embody today.
“Being around young men who had the same ethos was really important,” Herrel says. “One of the driving things that was so important to me was living, studying and having discussions with brothers where exceptionalism, high achievement and leadership were normal and expected. I felt blessed to be part of the group of alumni who gave back to their community and had significant achievements. It goes back to the same group of people and their ethos, which was transformative to my life.”
Many honorees, such as Harris, noted the value of intergenerational connections that can be found in fraternities, sororities and cooperatives and were especially evident at the event. Harris says this value becomes even stronger when alumni stay connected to their organizations.
“When you serve as an advisor or mentor to students, you build relationships with the next generation,” Harris says. “Over the course of my life of staying involved, I’ve had meaningful relationships with women ranging in age from 17 and just starting their college journey to women who are 100 years old. I’ve spoken at funerals, been at baptisms and seen the whole life cycle. There aren’t a whole lot of opportunities that provide that type of connection outside of this one.”
Conner, who began his career at age 16 as an apprentice drafter and eventually became president and chief operating officer of the same company, continues to serve Theta Chi. His company, American Structurepoint Inc., employs over 80 student interns — many of whom are Boilermakers. As he envisions what the next 150 years of FSCL might look like, he believes alumni are crucial to shaping the future.
“None of these organizations last unless the alumni support them — and that’s boots-on-the-ground type of support,” Conner says. “It requires people of all expertise. You don’t have to be great at finance or a maintenance guru to be on one of these boards. Whatever skills you have, there’s a place for you. Students are absolutely thirsty for anything you can tell them or give them that would help them or show them how you got to where you are. They want to know what your journey was like, and you can give them some breadcrumbs to get them on the path of success.”
While the focus of the 150th anniversary was to celebrate the legacy of the accomplishments and impact of the community, Williams believes the connections and spirit found at the event can be a launching pad for future growth.
“It felt like a kickoff and the start of something big,” Williams says. “The anniversary was a great reason to gather and celebrate but also the start of something that can grow and connect the community.”
FSCL looks forward to sharing plans on the continued growth of the fraternity, sorority and cooperative community at Purdue. Follow the organization on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook to stay connected.