Alpha Pi Lambda

Infobox Fraternity
letters= ΑΠΛ
name= Alpha Pi Lambda
colors= Crimson and Grey
flower=
symbol=
crest=
founded= Birth date and age|1935|03|03
birthplace= Drexel University
type= Social
scope= Local
address= 216 North 33rd St.
city= Philadelphia
state= Pennsylvania
country= USA
chapters= 1
members=
lifetime=
philanthropy=
homepage= [http://www.alphapilambda.com/ Undergrad Website]
free_label=
free=

Alpha Pi Lambda (ΑΠΛ) is a local, social, Greek-letter, college fraternity. It was founded at Drexel University in the United States on March 3 1935. It was re-established in April 2006. It is commonly called Apple Pi.

History

In 1934 enrollment of male students at Drexel Institute increased. With only two existing fraternities on campus; Theta Chi established in 1927 and Tau Kappa Epsilon established 1919,citeweb|date=April 6, 2007|url=http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/fsl/Forms/history.pdf |title=Fraternity/Sorority Summary Information|publisher= Drexel University Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life|accessdate=2007-10-12] the space available in these was not enough for the incoming men and a group of men established Alpha Pi Lambda on March 3, 1935. The fraternity itself was "dedicated to eliminate all prejudices and develop character in its members."

During the first few years, the primary aim of the organization was to gain recognition on the campus in order to insure it's permanence. Over a four year period the fraternity outgrew two houses and in 1939 the members of Alpha Pi Lambda moved into their current house on the corner of 33rd and Powelton Avenue.citeweb|url=http://www.applepi.org/About/tabid/24/Default.aspx |title= Alpha Pi Lambda History|accessdate=2007-10-12]

In 1941 many members left to serve in the armed service, though in the fall and winter of 1942 and 1943 membership reached it's highest number. In the spring of 1943 came the departure in large numbers to the armed service and a decline in membership. Due to the decline it seemed that the house may have to close at the end of the winter term of 1943. Members were able to, at that time, create an emergency board to look after the affairs of the fraternity and as long as it functioned the board was to serve as an advisory. The board helped the fraternity stay on campus during the period of wartime and assisted in putting the affairs of th chapter in good order. The years of 1946, 1947, and 1948 saw the membership composed largely of veterans studying under the GI Bill. In 1947, the house was purchased by the members of the alumni. The mortgage was financed through the efforts of the newly created alumni corporation. The mortgage was paid in full April 27, 1958.

From 1947 to the early 1950s, Alpha Pi Lambda went through a period of expansion in both their house and their membership numbers. However in the 1990s and early 2000s the fraternity's standing in the university's campus went downhill. In a 1990 alcohol related incident a student fell to his death. [cite book | last = Nuwer | first = Hank | title = Wrongs of Passage | publisher = Indiana University Press | date = 1999 | location = p. 258 | pages = 317 | isbn = 0-253-33596-5] In 2003 the fraternity was put on temporary suspension for alleged violations of the Drexel University Student Code.The fraternity's recognition from the university, as well as the use of the house, was lost on January 2003 due to "detrimental behavior, hazing and failure to comply with an appropriate directive or disciplinary decision" as stated in a press release by the administration.citation| date= February 18, 2004|title= Apple Pi loses recognition, house |url=http://media.www.thetriangle.org/media/storage/paper689/news/2004/02/13/News/Apple.Pi.Loses.Recognition.House-610121.shtml |first= Craig |last= Eisenberger |publisher= The Triangle |accessdate= 2007-10-12] They were reinstated on April 2006, however cannot use their house until it is in suitable condition to be occupied.

Apple Pi House

Built for brewer Frederick A. Poth in 1887, the Alpha Pi Lambda house sits on the corner of 33rd and Powelton. A. W. Dilks, the architect, "...combined Queen Anne motifs with the bombastic rhetoric of the German Revival architects."cite web|title=Powelton Historic District of University City |url=http://www.uchs.net/HistoricDistricts/powelton.html |publisher=University City Historical Society |accessdate=2008-02-13] The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places [cite web|title=Alpha Pi Lambda Fraternity House Info |url=http://www.drexel.edu/depts/pdc/pages/buildings.asp?BID=37 |publisher=Drexel University - Planning, Design & Construction |accessdate=2008-02-13] on May 9, 1985.

References

External links

* [http://www.alphapilambda.com/ The Official Undergraduate Website]
* [http://www.applepi.org/ The Official Alumni Website]
* [http://www.drexel.edu/depts/pdc/pages/buildings.asp?BID=37/ House Architecture]