A history of greatness
Pi Rho Zeta was founded on November 17th, 1987 at the State University of New York, College of Technologies at Alfred. The Founding Fathers were Howard Bellardini, Alejaundro Payeras-Boure’, Denny Burdick, John Cramer, David Rossi, Mark Sardo, and John Shicker. On December 10th , 1987 a letter of intent was written, officially beginning Pi Rho Zeta’s journey towards becoming a recognized Greek Fraternity. On February 3rd , 1989 Pi Rho Zeta received its provisional charter after the appointment of Art McLaughlin, the head of the Engineering Department, as honorary brother. The first pledge class was put through. Our second honorary brother, Bill Johnson, was inducted.
On April 10th , 1990, at the President’s Evening Reception, Pi Rho Zeta received the Greek Academic Achievement Award for having the highest house average for the fall ’89 semester. Our third honorary brother, Ron Headley, was inducted this semester. Pi Rho Zeta also inducted its first female honorary brother, Heather (Potter) Mattos. On October 14th , 1991, Pi Rho Zeta became an officially recognized, chartered fraternity at Alfred State College. William G. Barrett was inducted as an honorary brother in the fall of ‘92. Theodore Smith was inducted as an honorary brother in the spring of ‘94. Pi Rho Zeta began to look into national affiliation. Pi Rho Zeta formed its first Alumni Board of Directors (later to be known as the National Board of Directors) in the fall of ‘97. Pi Rho Zeta initiated its first pledge class of its Cortland Chapter in the spring of ‘98. In the Fall of 2007, Pi Rho Zeta obtained a house off campus, where 7 brothers live at a time.
