The Bomb, the official Iowa State University Yearbook, started in 1893.
Actually, it was Iowa State "College" at that time. (Humble beginnings?) Recently it was digitized and Brother Lynn Johnson took it upon himself to download the Pi Kappa Alpha pages going back to the beginning. In 1914, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at ISU was born.
1914-1919
In February, 1913, the former Gamma Theta house became Pi Kappa Alpha. The rest, as they say, is history- literally.
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1920s
Looks like the 20s were roaring for the Pikes. Around 1928, the original house was replaced by our very own 2112 we know and love. Looks like "sharing a paddle" was photo-worthy as well.
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1930s
THE DREAM GIRL.
When the night birds are singing their love song,
And you sit by the firelight and dream,
There's a thought of a girl
Puts your brain in a wirl,
For her eyes like the bright embers gleam;
She is fair as the heavens above her,
She is true to the trust that she bears,
For though she is far away,
She'll be yours some sweet day,
She's the Dream-Girl of Pi K A.
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1940s
The usual college fun changed dramatically by 1943, when Pike Brothers were leaving to join the war effort.
In 1945 the Pikes forfeited 2112 to the Army Specialized Training Program and later to dormitory women crowded out by V-12 Units.
Just four actives and one pledge returned to the house for fall quarter, but with returning service men the house was soon almost full.
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1950s
The Brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha continued honored traditions and made new ones. The annual Homecoming Barn Dance, Dream Girl Spring Formal, and dressing the whole house as a heavenly tropical paradise for the "top social event of the year", the annual Hawaiian Party.
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