Pi Beta Phi Gate Opens for First Time
Crowds gather to hear Chancellor G. David Gearhart speak at the PIBeta PHi Centennial Gate opening ceremony Friday. The gate project began in 2007 and cost approximately $1 million. (Photo by Emily Rhodes)
Members of Pi Beta Phi and UA officials gathered to dedicate the Pi Beta Phi Centennial Gate during a ceremony Friday afternoon.
“Wow, now that’s a gate,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart.
Gearhart spoke of how important this gate will be for the UA campus.
“Many of the world’s best colleges and universities: Cambridge, Yale, Duke, Harvard, Princeton are known for the gorgeous processional gates gracing their campuses,” Gearhart said. “The University of Arkansas now has its own signature gate.”
The gate project has been in the works since 2007 and fundraising started in 2009, said Bruce Pontious, associate vice chancellor for University Development.
Frankly, I think the end product and I think you will all agree, is nothing less than spectacular,” Pontious said.
Sarah Sabatino, this year’s Pi Beta Phi President, also spoke at the event.
“This beautiful gift is a symbol of our close relationship with the university, our fraternity values and Pi Phi’s long lasting legacy here on campus,” Sabatino said. “It’s the accomplishment of every past, present and future member of Arkansas Alpha.”
Fellow Pi Beta Phi member and alumnus, Marilynn Porter spoke during the ceremony about why being in a sorority is important to her.
Living in the house taught us to live and work with many different people.
“If we were single, alone, we wouldn’t be standing here today,” Porter said.
At the end of the ceremony, the gate was opened by the especially designed razorback key and Pi Beta Phi officers walked through the gate for the first time.
The gate cost more than $1 million and was designed by Todd Furgason.
