Pi Nu Epsilon

Pi Nu Epsilon () is an American gender inclusive honor fraternity for students involved with music but who are non-music majors. It was established in 1927 at the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois.

History

Pi Nu Epsilon was founded at Armour Institute of Technology in January 1927 as a music fraternity for non-music majors. Pi Nu Epsilon was founded by four members of the class of 1927, four members of the class of 1928, and Professor Emeritus Charles Wilbur Leigh.The undergraduate founders were Thornton J. Clark, David G. Greenfield, W. McDowell Horn, Nicholas Markoff, Kent H. Parker, George Rezac, William E. Vevurka, and Willard Wilson.

From the beginning, the fraternity focused on non-music majors and operated as a recognition society and service organization.As a category, Recognition societies are grouped with Honor societies. Honor societies often maintain specific GPA or class rank requirements where recognition societies focused on achievement in campus or community service. It had a strong service component, "in the furtherance of good music". The purpose of Pi Nu Epsilon is:

* To honor those outstanding men and women who have devoted their time and efforts to the musical organizations at the institutions of the respective chapters.
* To stimulate interest in and to further the aims of the musical organizations at the institutions of the respective chapters.
* To foster and develop a broader interest in music and musical affairs.

Pi Nu Epsilon aided the musical organizations at the ''Alpha chapter'' by sponsoring and promoting the musical activities on campus. It thrived for many years under the guidance of Dr. O. Gordon Erickson, who served as music director at Armour Institute of Technology from 1932 until his death in August 1953. In 1940, Armour Institute of Technology and Lewis Institute merged to form the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Pi Nu Epsilon was formally incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of Illinois on May 16, 1947. Later that month, on May 28, 1947, the ''Beta chapter'' was founded at Drexel Institute of Technology. ''Gamma chapter'' (later renamed ''Epsilon'') was founded on April 30, 1955 at Ursinus College. ''Delta chapter was'' founded on May 12, 1956, at Shippensburg University. Finally, ''Zeta chapter'' was founded on April 15, 1989, at Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Slow expansion has continued, with the installation of ''Eta chapter'' at Thiel College on December 11, 2011.

Pi Nu Epsilon today continues with efforts on its campuses to promote campus music organizations. It draws a majority of members from bands, choirs and ensembles. The society provide ushering at university performances, caroling at nursing homes, volunteer at local parades, fundraise for non-profit student radio stations and several chapters sponsor a "Battle of the Bands" competition. Its national headquarters is in York, Pennsylvania.

Symbols

Pi Nu Epsilon's symbol is the pentagon, symbolizing the five music societies that had formed at the Armour Institute of Technology before the fraternity's was established. The name Pi Nu Epsilon was selected because the letters are the first three letters of the word "Pentagon” in Greek. The society's key is shaped like a pentagon. Its publication is ''Pi Nuz''.

Membership

Potential members must be an undergraduate who have been a member in a musical or performing arts organization for at least one semester. Examples of eligible student organizations include A Cappella choirs, chamber choirs, concert bands, concert choirs, dance ensembles, jazz band, jazz choirs, marching bands, pep bands, string ensembles, and theater groups. The fraternity is gender inclusive.

Governance

Pi Nu Epsilon is governed by a national council consisting of a president, vice president of internal affairs, vice president of external affairs, treasurer, secretary, historian, and chapter representatives.

Chapters

Following are the chapters of Pi Nu Epsilon, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in ''italics.''

References

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1927 establishments in Illinois
Honor societies
Illinois Institute of Technology
Student organizations established in 1927