Elon’s Student Government Executive President Chase Rumley was also recognized with the “Howard Baker Leadership Award.”  Named for a former senator, the award recognizes the top student leader in the nation.  Rumley is the secretary for Pi Kappa Phi Epsilon Alpha.

The chapter was also recognized with a number of other awards.  Having achieved top tier success in all rated categories, Epsilon Alpha was awarded the “Champion Master Chapter” designation for the sixth year in a row.  It also won “Most Outstanding Recruitment Program” for the third year in a row, “Most Outstanding Alumni Relations Program,” “The Bronze Star Award for Push America” (recognizing outstanding community service) and the “Added Value Award” for its alumni initiation program.

The members of Pi Kappa Phi head to Washington, D.C., in August to greet members who have spent their summer riding across the country to raise money for people with disabilities as part of the Journey of Hope Program.

Cariello and  Christenbury are cyclists on the Journey of Hope, a cross-country bicycle trek beginning in San Francisco, Calif., and Seattle, Wash., and ending together with all teams in Washington, D.C.  The event raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities.

The cyclists ride an average of 75 to 100 miles per day, and between rides, volunteer on “friendship visits.”  These include things like dancing with a local group that supports people with disabilities, participating in a game of wheelchair basketball and performing puppet shows to educate children on the abilities of people with disabilities.  Both men raised over $5,000 for Push America prior to starting their ride last month.

Kaufman and Rampton are interning for Push America.  Kaufman is responsible for the public relations aspect of the Trans America Route of the Journey of Hope, acting as a liaison between Push America, the cyclists, and the national media.  Rampton is working on the developmental end of Push America and is currently organizing a fundraising event in coordination with the 2008 Marine Corps Marathon.

All four men have dedicated themselves fully to helping raise money and awareness for people with disabilities. 

“Push America is one of the main reasons that I joined Pi Kappa Phi, and I couldn’t imagine a better way to finish my undergraduate career then riding into Washington, D.C. on the last day of the Journey of Hope,” Cariello said.

The Journey of Hope concludes at the United States Capitol Building on Saturday, Aug. 16,  at 11 a.m. The teams will be arriving to over 800 family, friends and brothers of Pi Kappa Phi to celebrate the 21st year of members of Pi Kappa Phi serving people with disabilities all across the country. 

To learn more about Push America and the Journey of Hope, click on the links to the upper right of this page.

– Information provided by Jason Kahn ’09