Bradley Students Combat Slanderous Words

One in every five adults has a disability in the United States; this is according to a 2015 study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In other words, over 50 million Americans are living with some form of mental or physical disability. Members of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity take this statistic to heart through their philanthropy called The Ability Experience - a cause devoted to helping those with disabilities and entirely supported by its fraternity members.

Each year at Bradley, the Pi Kappa Phi brothers rally their forces to raise money for this population during their philanthropy week. Their mission, “Utilize shared experiences to support people with disabilities and develop the men of Pi Kappa Phi into servant leaders.”

New to their philanthropy week this year was, “Smash the Word.” Members organized a demonstration that condemns the use of slanderous words on Bradley's campus and beyond. By donating one dollar to The Ability Experience, participants threw water balloons filled with paint at a board covered with offensive words. The goal was to cover the words with paint.

Philanthropy Chair Brian Cheline said, “This event is to symbolize that members of Pi Kappa Phi do not tolerate negativity expressed against anyone and to show that the faculty and peers on our campus feel the same way.”

The Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has raised more than $15 million for people with disabilities and organizations dedicated to their service.

Student Eryn McFatridge, stumbled upon this event by chance. “Being friends with a few people who have disabilities, it is uplifting and amazing to see a fraternity from my school generate so much money toward this cause,” said McFatridge. “It’s reassuring to know that there are good, caring people that I attend school with.”