Pi Kapp reconnects online
Facebook helps Adrian Nelson stay in touch
By Adam Nekola
January 6, 2010
To some alumni, brotherhood is taken for granted. On any given weekend in Chicago, several groups of Pi Kapps can be found hanging out together. But for Adrian Nelson, brotherhood takes work.
“Life has changed a little since college days. Home is back in Melbourne, Australia,” said Nelson (Y900), who joined Pi Kappa Phi as an exchange student in 1993.
As the only member of the Upsilon Chapter living in Australia, staying in touch with brothers can be a little challenging. For the better part of 15 years he did his best.
“We relied on e-mail or visiting. I guess over time there are 2 or 3 you stay great friends with, but you tend to lose touch with the others, particularly living in a different hemisphere,” he said.
But luckily, in early 2004, Facebook was invented. Now, instead of trying to find e-mails or hoping to see people on a random visit, Nelson can keep track of all his brothers. He’s connected with about 25 men that were members of the chapter.
“What’s surprising is how often Mike Reedy post messages whilst sitting on a plane, how often Cass Drew seems to visit Vegas, and how many songs Mike Eagleson knows the words to,” he said. “I’m also surprised that some guys in particular managed to find a wife and then have kids – I wouldn’t have predicted that with some of them!”
Nelson, along with several other alumni, have shared photos from their time in school on the ‘Pi Kappa Phi - Upsilon Chapter’ Facebook group. Nelson is one of 127 members in the group. The photos have spurred conversation and memories.
“I think the guys are a bit shocked at our physical changes. And I think secretly we’d love to be back in the house in a Pineapple Phi hot tub party,” said Nelson of the responses he received.
Other responses have been posted on the group itself.
“Keep the old pics coming! I’ll try to gather some up and post them. Might be a while, this was before digital cameras were everywhere,” said Patrick Withrow (Y972).
“It is really neat to see what everyone is up to. I will have to dig up my old pics and post,” said Chris Johnson (Y877).
“I will look for my old photos and post as many as I can find. Looking forward to getting caught up with everyone,” said Boyd LaFoon (Y810).
As for Nelson, he’s interested in catching up as well. For several years after graduation, he was able to visit Chicago fairly regularly as a management consultant. Now he’s in the family business, managing five family funeral homes - Nelson Bros. Funeral Services. The company is one of the ten oldest family businesses in Australia; having celebrated it’s 150th anniversary last year.
Nelson is now married. He and his wife, Louise, have two sons - Harry, 4, and Charles, 2. Now a family man, having time to visit may be harder than ever. Luckily, that won’t mean he’ll have put his past behind him.
“Being geographically so far away from everyone, I can accept that I probably won’t see the guys in person so often. However with Facebook, I’m able to continue a connection and continue some great friendships.”