March C&C 2018 Quarter 1

CROSS & CRESCENT Spring 2018 • Issue 1

Building a Legacy

PG. 24

Shared A Story to be

PG. 10

ACT PG. 22

900 WI NS & COUNTING

PG. 13

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter From the Editor....................................................3 Lambda Chi Alpha Gets Social..................................4 -5 Expansion Update.........................................................6 ‘You Are Dead’: Local ER Doctor Speaks Openly During Neville Advisor’s College............................7-8 ‘A Story to Be Shared’: The True Story of Nat Turner’s Bible and the Lambda Chi Connection Between It.............................................................10-11 900 WINS AND COUNTING: Brother Larry Holley Continues to Shape Lives the Way Lambda Chi Shaped His..........................................................13-14 ‘Empowered to Make Change’: George Washington University Brother Creates Program That Uses Basketball as Tool for Learning for Children in Need.................................16 -17 Gentlemen’s Corner - How to Tie a Tie.............................19 A Q&A With our Award-Winning Intern, Trevor Holland......................................................2 0 -21 A Balancing Act : Brothers of Pi-Lambda at St. Louis College of Pharmacy Balance Academics and Fraternity.........22-23 Building a Legacy : Flagler Colony Becomes First Greek Organization in College’s History.....................24 -26 Reflections From Outgoing Field Staff : Alex Martens and Dylan Bateman...........................................................27 A Q&A With Chris Pockette.....................................28-29

2

3

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

staff list

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Managing Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Editor: Taylor Grayson Assistant Editors: James Vaughn Jaren Wilt Cover Photo: William Jewell College Layout & Design: Amanda Pittman

While our brothers enjoy a much-deserved break from their studies, we are excited to bring you the first issue of a new quarter!

Throughout this issue, we talked to brothers from across North America about their many achievements, dedication to the fraternity, and most importantly, how they are upholding the teachings of Lambda Chi Alpha. Our cover story is a very special one, as it celebrates our very own Larry Holley, who recently reached his 900th win as head men’s basketball coach at William Jewell College.

Please remember to keep checking lambdachi.cc for the latest updates on what is going on throughout all Lambda Chi Alpha chapters. If you would like to see every article as it is published, please feel free to sign up to receive email alerts by visiting lambdachi.cc/subscribe. If you have a story which you would like to submit, please email tgrayson@lambdachi.org.

As a reminder, Chapter News is due by the 15th of each month. We look forward to seeing what our chapters are accomplishing, so we ask chapters to continue to email editor@lambdachi.org or log on to LCAOne/Officer Portal and access the “Submit Chapter News” form to share their news with us.

We would like to extend our thanks to members and friends of Lambda Chi Alpha alike for creating the best experience of any fraternity.

All of us here at International Headquarters wish our members a safe spring break, and we look forward to the wonderful stories we will be able to tell in the coming issues.

Thank you for reading!

Best Regards, Taylor Grayson Editor, Cross & Crescent

4

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

LAMBDA CHI ALPHA GETS SOCIAL @LambdaChiAlphaIHQ We are always eager to see the interesting and wonderful things our brothers are doing across the country and Canada! Here are some examples of how members of Lambda Chi are giving back to their community, enjoying brotherhood and upholding the values of our fraternity.

@crookbrian

@zwudneh96

@yacoba53

@thu_896

@thatdallaskid

@shsdt97

@tomiprovencher

@gjw1801

@shaggy2q

5

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

@skylerking87

@lxa_sigmatau

@kevin4mph

@lambdachi_

@lambdachijwu

@flagler_lca

@ezucaro

@csmith_9

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

6

EXPANSION UPDATES

Lambda Chi Alpha colonized at Wright State University during the Spring 2018 semester, led

by Recruitment Specialist, Brett Turner. The first Associate Member Ceremony will take play on March 17, which will be the colony’s official start date. Wright State serves mostly as a commuter school, so staff will be working with these students to see how Lambda Chi can best serve them.

So far, seven men have signed bids.

Lambda Chi Alpha colonized at Vanderbilt University during the Spring 2018 semester, led by Recruitment Specialist, Dylan Bateman. The colony has 15 Associates, all from different parts of the world. Initiation is scheduled for April 7.

Lambda Chi Alpha colonized at Marshall University during the Spring 2018 semester, led by Senior ELC, Taylor Krivas.The men are focusing heavily on recruitment and are up to 12 members at this point. There is much support from the Greek

Advisor and alumni advisors. Because of their dedication, a large part of the High Zeta is already filled. The men at Marshall are looking forward to doing big things, especially with the larger influx of freshmen coming in the fall semester.

Lambda Chi Alpha colonized at Flagler College during the Spring 2018 semester, led by Recruitment Specialist, Brett Turner. This colony will be the first Greek organization on Flagler’s campus. Started from an interest group, the colony is now about 20 men. Members come from all walks of life and have started to make a name for themselves on campus. Because of their efforts, there is now talk of introducing other Greek organizations onto campus.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

‘You Are Dead’

7

‘YOU ARE DEAD’ Local ER Doctor Speaks Openly During Neville Advisor’s College

By James Vaughn, Digital Content Specialist

when he gives them the lecture.

Most of them sit silently with their heads down, he said.

In the article — and his lecture — he touches on alcohol, drugs and sexual assault.

“If you have to think about whether or not it’s the right thing to do, then it’s the wrong thing to do,” he continued reading from his essay.

He went on to act out in detail the way parents react when he tells them their child is dead.

“Do you have any idea what it looks like for me to tell a mom and dad that their kid is dead?” he asked the audience. “There is nothing as devastating as that. I’ve watched as grown men lose control of their bowels and punch walls so hard they break bones. I’ve watched moms pull their hair out so hard their head bleeds.

“You have to get these young men to see the damage irresponsible behavior can leave behind,” Profeta said.

Profeta addresses Neville Advisor’s College attendees.

Real.

Tangible.

Powerful.

Emotional.

Blunt.

T

hese are all words those attending the 2018 Neville Advisor’s College this weekend used to describe Dr. Lou Profeta’s lecture.

Dr. Profeta captured the audience within minutes by reading from his article, “A Sunday Talk on Sex, Drugs, Drinking and Dying With Frat Boys,” one of the most read opinion essays in LinkedIn’s history. He is an emergency room physi-

cian, instructor of medicine, and author of the book, “The Patient in Room Nine Says He’s God.” Dr. Profeta speaks at fraternities and universities around the country, sharing a perspective 25 years as an ER doctor has given him.

“They will blame you for the death of their child until the day they die,” he read to the audience gathered in a ball room at The Alexander during the 2018 Neville Advisor’s College conference.

“Are you ready for that?”

That is what he tells fraternity men

The chapter advisors, house corporation officers and alumni association members stared in awe as he tossed beers, Red Bull, McDonald’s french fries and two cheeseburgers into a pitcher and mixed it all together with his bare hands.

It was time for show-and-tell.

He took out a plastic tube the size of a trachea and poured the contents of the pitcher into it.

It filled up within seconds.

“Now all of that junk is sitting smack dab in your trachea,” he said. “Do you know what I can do for this? Not a f***ing thing. I can’t save you. You are dead.”

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

Whose fault is that?

Parents and advisors, he said.

“If we can’t convince them that that is heroic ... that that is what friendship and brotherhood is, then you’re failing them,” Profeta said.

“You need to do something in that move-in phase,” he told advisors, “where you come to an agreement with the parents that if you take (their child) to the hospital because they’ve had too much to drink, they should leave them alone. Parents need to tell their kids that they want them going (to the emergency room). We want them there.”

Phil Horwitz, an alumni advisory board member from North Carolina State University, appreciated Profeta’s openness during the talk.

“Yeah, he used curse words that you wouldn’t normally use in a professional presentation,” Horwitz said. “But the point he was making with that type of language is that you have to speak to these college students in the language they use today.”

He spoke to the audience in a way they could relate to, whether they’re advisors or parents.

8

Horwitz found Profeta’s discussion about a controlled environment as opposed to zero tolerance interesting.

He said he wanted to show the audience how quickly someone can choke on their own vomit. In most cases, their friends — or fraternity brothers — don’t know it’s happening. But even if they did, how many of them would actually speak up or act?

“They are more worried about getting in trouble than they are dying,” Profeta said. “They are more worried about getting in trouble than saving their friend’s life.”

‘You Are Dead’

IF YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, THEN IT’S THE WRONG THING TO DO.

“I would have expected an ER doc to say, ‘Absolutely not. Never. Never. Never,’” he said. “But in his own personal case, he actually introduced his own children to a controlled environment.”

It hit close to home for Horwitz because he has a son who is about to enter college.

He hopes to either show his undergrads at North Carolina State a video of Profeta’s lecture, or bring him out in person.

‘Hearing it from him, I think it would be very powerful. I can’t imagine how even a college kid who might be difficult to get to could not absorb the message with the way he told it,” Horwitz said.

“We can’t deliver the message the way he can deliver it, even if we were to use the same words. We’re not ER docs. We don’t have that experience.”

More than 70 alumni attended this year’s Neville Advisor’s College where they heard from several speakers, including Dr. Profeta, and networked with each other.

A $60,000 grant from the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation helps fund the three-day conference.

The College is completely free of charge — travel included. More than 400 alumni volunteers have benefited from Neville since 2014.

If you would like more information about the Neville Advisor’s College, contact Director of Alumni Engagement, Jayme Little, at jlittle@lambdachi. org.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

9

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

‘A Story To Be Shared’

10

‘A STORY TO BE SHARED’: THE TRUE STORY OF NAT TURNER’S BIBLE AND THE LAMBDA CHI CONNECTION BEHIND IT

By Taylor Grayson, Associate Director of communications

Photo courtesy of The New York Times.

O

n October 2, 1800, a day like any other, a figure was born who would later play a hand in changing the course of American history. Nat Turner was born into slavery to Benjamin and Elizabeth Turner in Southhampton County, Virginia. Though a slave, Nat was believed to have been schooled along with the Turner children. Early in his life, Nat was given a simple bible from Elizabeth, which he learned to read and cherished for the rest of his life.

When Benjamin passed away, Nat was turned over to his son, Samuel. His world became completely different, expected to work in the fields all hours of the day, nothing like the kindness he had known from Elizabeth. Through it all, Nat maintained his deep faith. He often preached around the county but was shunned from churches. Nat was finally allowed baptismal rights on the land of John Person, where in 1838 he would found Persons United Methodist Church.

It was because of his devout faith that led to what is considered as “one of the bloodiest and most effective” rebellions in American history. When Nat witnessed a solar eclipse in August of 1831, he believed it was a sign from above and so he struck.

nected to the Travis family. However, Lavinia was eight months pregnant and her husband, Nathaniel, was nowhere to be found. Two of the house slaves hid Lavinia in the cubby in the attic, stashing her away under blankets, ultimately saving her life.

In the early morning of the rebellion, Nat Turner and his followers started by killing the Travis family (Sally Moore, who was now married to Joseph Travis, was the wife of one of Nat’s owners, Thomas Moore). They then came for Lavinia Francis, as she was also con-

Following the rebellion, many followers were caught and executed, but Nat eluded capture for two months. When finally caught, he surrendered peacefully, confessing everything to a lawyer from the Southhampton County Courthouse.

There he would stay while the rebellion

According to Person, anyone was welcome on his land. So there, in Persons Mill Pond, Nat Turner was baptized, his bible close at hand.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

*** Mark Person attended Randolph-Macon College on a baseball scholarship. After settling into college life his sophomore year and realizing much of the baseball team was in Lambda Chi Alpha, Person took the plunge to become a member.

And so, the bible moved once more, this time to the nation’s capital.

Far before college and Lambda Chi, though, Person’s time was spent researching his family history. The Person lineage was a long and intricate one, tracing its roots back to the first settlers to come to America from England.

Many of Person’s ancestors were decorated generals and held other important places in American history.

“When the exhibit opened, I took the train and I started thinking about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad,” recalls Person. “When I get there, guess whose artifacts are sitting next to the bible? It’s Harriet Tubman’s shawl, given to her by Queen Victoria.

“To the right, about three feet down, is President Lincoln’s tie coat and hat, so that’s the company this little bible is keeping.”

But the place where Person felt his family’s history the most was always Persons United Methodist Church, the church that had been founded by his ancestor who had shown Nat Turner kindness.

Mark Person poses with the bible.

As Person grew older, he started to do extensive research and learned the significance of that little bible and the amazing story of its owner and the connection with his family. Turns out, Lavinia Francis, the woman who was eight months pregnant and eluded Nat Turner and his rebellion, was Person’s great-great grandmother. Person wanted to know more.

“We knew it [the bible] was priceless,

11

to Virginia Beach to view the bible.

It came down to matching water stains found on the cover to a photograph of the Person family from the 1900s, where the bible is prominently displayed. Once it was determined that this was indeed Nat Turner’s, Dr. Ellis called it “the most exciting thing he has seen since the birth of his children.”

came to life on paper and there too his beloved bible stayed.

Throughout his childhood, Person remembers hearing as a youth about the bible kept in a little glass dome atop the piano in the home of one of his relatives, but the name Nat Turner continued to surface.

“His name kept coming up: Nat Turner,” said Person. “So, moving forward, I was told the bible was kept on top of the piano in a glass dome and everyone would come look at it and say, ‘That’s Nat Turner’s bible’.”

‘A Story To Be Shared’

IT’S SIGNIFICANT. IT’S A STORY TO BE SHARED. but we just thought everyone’s family had something comparable on kind of a local level,” said Person.

Years passed since Person learned the truth about the bible, and questions started to arise from museums around the country: what would happen to thispriceless artifact?

Finally, in 2010, the bible was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and passed the verification protocol.

Person recalls a Dr. Rex Ellis, an official from the Smithsonian, making the trip

Nat Turner’s prized possession stayed in the Smithsonian as part of an exhibit named “The Changing of America” from 2012-2014, while Person became the spokesperson on behalf of his family.

Today, the bible sees thousands of visitors each day at the new and renowned Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture and is regarded as one of the centerpieces of the museum. Opened to the public in 2016, the museum “...tells the American story through the lens of African American history and culture.”

Since donating the bible to the museum, Person has been in contact with the descendants of Nat Turner, who affirm that the bible is in the right place. For Person, the joy comes from being able to share such an important piece of history with those who will listen.

“It’s significant,” said Person. “It’s a story to be shared.”

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

12

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

900 Wins and Counting

13

Brother Larry Holley Continues to Shape Lives the Way Lambda Chi Shaped His

By James Vaughn Digital Content Specialist

H

e dabbled in a little bit of everything — cross country, track, pep band, chapel choir, student government.

But nothing changed Larry Holley’s life quite like basketball and Lambda Chi. Together, the two shaped him into an award-winning coach — one who has more than 900 wins under his belt — and a mentor and lifelong friend to his players and brothers.

“Of all the activities I was in at William Jewell, my best experience was Lambda Chi Alpha,” Holley said. “Watching the leaders when I joined Lambda Chi, how they led and how they influenced me, certainly helped me.”

Having grown up in a small town and graduating from a rural high school, Holley chose to attend William Jewell because it was the kind of college that would allow him to do things besides just basketball.

His dad, who was also a coach and school superintendent, did not want him to become a coach.

“Quite candidly, my dad tried to talk me out of becoming a basketball coach because he knew that on Tuesday and

Holley talks with a few of his players.

Friday nights, everybody was smarter than the basketball coach,” Holley said.

He did not want him to join a fraternity either, but he eventually relented.

“At the time, I was the only basketball player in the fraternity, so it allowed me to spend time with other people who weren’t athletes and allowed me to

broaden my horizons,” Holley said.

Little did he know at the time he would spend most of his adult life there, on that small, Midwest campus outside Kansas City.

Holley has been head coach of the Cardinals for four decades. He graduated from William Jewell in 1967 and re-

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1 lot, and one of them is, ‘Control what you can’t control,’” said Patrick Whelan, a guard for the Cardinals. “As a player, that phrase taught me to always give 100 percent.”

The players agree Holley makes sure they apply his advice off the court, too.

Cardinals forward Jackson Golightly was contacted by Holley last summer.

His first impression of the short man with gray hair, laugh lines and a smile that often takes over his face was that he is way more than a basketball coach.

Holley keeping a watchful eye during practice.

turned to Liberty, Mo. to take the reins in 1979.

“I had such an amazing experience as an athlete at William Jewell, it was something I just couldn’t turn down,” Holley said. “It was the perfect place for me as a college athlete and it’s been the perfect place for me as a small college coach.”

Holley is something of a celebrity in the college basketball world, joining the ranks of Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight and Adolph Rupp.

The reason he remains at William Jewell is simple — he gets invited to a lot of weddings, he joked.

Honestly, the reason he stays is the revolving door of players he gets to help shape into not only great basketball players, but great men.

“Watching them live their lives, I often say that my success or failure is going to be based on what those young men do with their lives,” Holley said.

A number of his former players have become coaches themselves. Others are doctors, lawyers, teachers.

He continues to instill what he learned as an undergraduate member of Lambda Chi Alpha in the players he coaches today.

“There are a few phrases he repeats a

“He’s a personable mentor who’s also a friend,” Golightly said. “He does everything. He really does it all. Right when you meet him, you can tell he knows what he’s talking about because he’s been there before. He’s a smart, fun loving basketball guru who likes the game

WATCHING THEM LIVE THEIR LIVES, I OFTEN SAY THAT MY SUCCESS OR FAILURE IS GOING TO BE BASED ON WHAT THOSE YOUNG MEN DO WITH THEIR LIVES. and loves his players.”

William Jewell President Elizabeth Walls can attest to that.

“What’s amazing is he remembers his students’ stories — their journeys,” Walls said. “For every person, he can recall the arc of their experience at Jewell and beyond.”

That is what makes Holley so special,

900 Wins and Counting

14

she said. He cherishes and supports every student.

“The Jewell philosophy is that we’re critical thinkers in community pursuing meaningful lives.

“One of the things about Coach Holley that is so powerful is his expectation of his students, that they’re going to be successful in the classroom and they’re going to be successful on the court, but most importantly that they’re going to be successful in their lives,” said Walls.

Jimmie Williams is one of Holley’s assistant coaches at William Jewell.

“The energy that Coach Holley brings is just infectious to everybody,” Williams said. “It’s wild — a 72 year old bringing that kind of energy every single day.”

To his assistants, Holley is more than a coach and a mentor, he is a role model; 900 wins is something only a handful of college coaches have ever accomplished.

“It just means I’ve been coaching a long time,” Holley said, chuckling.

“You don’t win that number of games ... I haven’t scored a point or made an assist or gotten a rebound or made a steal,” Holley went on, “But to have those players come in and agree to what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively is so rewarding. Watching them develop during the course of the season…” his voice trailed off.

“Looking back on it, unfortunately, I will probably remember the losses more than the wins.”

But the wins are what he will be remembered for. That, and how much he cared about his players on and off the court.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

15

ATTEN D T HE L ARG E S T GAT H E R I N G O F T H E B ROT H E R H OOD

SAVE THE DATE STRONGER

Two tracks available

for brothers to connect :

TOGETHER

•GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATE •STEAD LEADERSHIP PARTICIPANT

Sawgrass Marriot Resort-Jacksonville

Send at least two brothers for an

INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE

For more information:

www. lambdachi.org/ events/general-assembly/

AUGUST 2-5 2018 Registration Cost: $1100 alumni

$850 undergrad

Single day options available for $200

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

‘Empowered to Make Change’

16

‘EMPOWERED TO MAKE CHANGE’ George Washington University Brother Creates Program That Uses Basketball as Tool for Learning for Children in Need By: Taylor Grayson, Associate Director of Communications

Jayachandran plays with some of the Crossover Academy kids.

A

painful sting sharply drew Shaun Jayachandran back to consciousness. He rolled over on the old sofa, one that belonged to his extended family whom he and two other colleagues were staying with in India.

Though the couch was not an ideal place to be, the George Washington University alum was ready for what this trip had to offer. This was no ordinary trip to India, however. It was one that would change the lives of children across the country. *** Jayachandran is the son of two immigrants who came from India to Canada.

He moved to the United States when he was 16. After realizing that many of the Lambda Chi brothers on George Washington’s campus were the same men who attended church with him every Sunday night, Jayachandran knew this was an organization where his morals would be

respected and upheld.

“They [Lambda Chi members] gave me a good sense of who they were and that they would be guys that I would want to have as mentors, as brothers, and people I could connect with,” said Jayachandran.

Following his undergraduate career at George Washington, Jayachandran worked in the educational field for many years, but there was still something missing.

As he began to think about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, the key aspects of what shaped him as a person started to swirl around in his mind: his mother coming from an orphanage in India and being given a scholarship so that she may attend high school and college, his passion for educating others, and his high school basketball coach

who had played for the legendary John Wooden at UCLA. He knew there must be a way to connect the dots, and there was: Crossover Academy.

The program would teach children across India through the means of basketball crucial life lessons: teamwork skills, leadership, and many others .

With his vision in mind, Jayachandran put together the program’s first curriculum, ran it over social media, and started a year and a half of research. It then came time to fly to India to put the program’s philosophy to the test.

Only two volunteers accompanied Jayachandran on his first trip to India and helped introduce Crossover Academy at a high school in Chennai where they had just 50 participants, an even split

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

‘Empowered to Make Change’

17

between boys and girls. But that was all it took.

I THINK BEING ABLE TO GROW AND EXPERIENCE THAT, BEING ABLE TO OPEN YOUR

The program ran for two weeks at the school, children learning through play, while also exploring topics such as gender equity in classroom settings.

PARTS OF THE WORLD WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT BONDING EXPERIENCE.

The success of the program soon became so apparent that people around Jayachandran started to take notice.

One of his board members suggested that he take his vision to the American International School, also located in the city of Chennai. So he did, and watched as the numbers began to grow over the next few years.

Jayachandran and his growing staff started to bring kids in from all over Chennai and hosted separate classes for volunteers to allow them to learn about Indian culture. During the past year, Jayachandran and his team have partnered with local schools to use their facilities and continue to explore how they can expand the program.

Though Crossover Academy has grown in size, the core of it remains the same: a two-week kickoff where the kids are introduced to the concepts of the academy, while working with teachers to create a curriculum once the program concludes.

For Jayachandran, the reward comes in the form of a child’s face lighting up with recognition when the team returns to a school.

“Kids are willing to do more, so they are excited to see you, they remember everybody, but they have also taken the lessons to heart,” said Jayachandran.

These lessons have allowed many children around the Chennai area to realize that everyone is capable of spreading good, no matter the background you may come from. Jayachandran remembers one such instance where a classroom of children coming from families who made no more than three dollars a day showed him a project they had started to help the homeless transgender community in Chennai.

MIND TO PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND ETHNIC GROUPS AND

“They honestly look for people who are even further marginalized than themselves,” marveled Jayachandran.

“Moments like that make you super proud because the change didn’t stop with them, but they also saw that they were empowered to make change themselves.”

Crossover Academy certainly has proven its success over the years, with 87 percent of children staying in school after participating in the program. Now, Jayachandran affirms, the academy is ready to pilot in other cities.

In addition to expanding to new cities, the Crossover Academy team is eager to start a new program which would take a select number of boys and girls to the United States from India where they could visit college campuses and see where education could lead them.

To this day, Jayachandran credits Lambda Chi Alpha as a place where his need

to give back to his community could flourish.

“Being a part of a fraternity of brothers who trusted you and said, ‘That’s a cool idea, let’s go make that happen,’ was special,” said Jayachandran. “I think being able to grow and experience that, being able to open your mind to people from all different backgrounds and ethnic groups and parts of the world was a really important bonding experience.”

Jayachandran says that he still has fraternity brothers supporting him in his mission to better the lives of kids from around the world, because in the end, empowering a child is as easy as dribbling a basketball.

“If we can empower those 20 children to then go back to their communities, that message again shares that idea that when you give a person educational opportunities, how much the doors can actually be blown open.”

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

SUBSCRIBE

18

TO OUR EMAIL MAILING LIST . . .

www.lambdachi.cc/subscribe & GET A NOTIFICATION EVERY TIME AN ARTICLE IS PUBLISHED ONLINE!

19

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

Gentleman’s Corner: How To Tie a Tie

When it comes to neckties, there are a lot of different rules that get mentioned. We are providing this guide to let you know the most basic of these rules to help you nail your next formal occasion.

The tie ought to complement the color of the outfit, and the pattern shouldn’t conflict with the pattern of the suit. The tie should be long enough to reach the belt buckle and should be tied tightly enough to keep it firm at the collar. The following instructions will demonstrate a Half Windsor Knot.

1. At the beginning, lay the tie around your neck with the wide end

hanging 12 inches lower than the narrow end.

2.cross the wide end over the narrow end.

3. Pull the wide end behind the narrow

end.

4.

Then, take the wide end and pull it through the gap between collar and necktie.

5.

Next take the wide end and wrap over the narrow end of the tie.

6.

Then, pull the wide end again through the gap between collar and tie.

7.

Don’t pull tight yet to allow for a loop on top of the knot.

8.

Pull the wide end of the tie through the loop on top of the knot.

9.

Pull tight and adjust the knot to sit centered between your collar.

Instructions and illustrations courtesy of tie-a-tie.net

20

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

A Q&A WITH OUR AWARD-WINNING INTERN, TREVOR HOLLAND

By James Vaughn, Digital Content Specialist

Trevor Holland wears many hats.

He is a student at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. where he studies public relations. He is a chapter services intern at Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters.

Last year, Holland was president of the university’s Interfraternity Council. He has worked as a peer coach in the university’s Career Center, an orientation leader and a site assistant for the National Student Leadership Conference at Yale University.

Now, he can add award winner to his list of accolades. It’s no surprise he was recently named Ball State’s Greek Leader of the Year.

IHQ: Tell me about the award IHQ: Did you know about this TH: you won. What exactly is it?

TH:

Yeah, so I won Greek Leader of the Year at Ball State. There are three Greek Leaders of the Year each year, and I was one of the three recipients.

IHQ: What does that mean?

TH: To me, Greek Leader of the

Year is someone who has made a significant impact on the Greek community at Ball State, whether that be through work in their chapter, work on the council or just work throughout the Ball State Greek community.

award when you joined Greek Life?

Did you ever think you would win it?

TH:

I joined Lambda Chi as a sophomore, and the first time I heard about the award I thought, ‘Wow, whoever wins that must be awesome.’

So I never expected to win anything like that. Especially as a new member, you don’t expect to win one of the highest honors.

IHQ: You were up against a lot of other Greek Life members for this award. How many Greek organizations are there at Ball State?

TH:

31 chapters; 13 IFC fraternities; 11 Panhellenic organizations; seven in NPHC

IHQ: What did you feel when you found out you won the award?

That’s a hard question to answer. I was Interfraternity Council President this past year, and it was a tough year for fraternities at Ball State. We were under a lot of scrutiny. We had some bad behavior in some of our chapters, so we had to do a social pause for three months.

The 13 chapter presidents came to a decision and had a vote on making this social pause that was necessary for the safety of our community and the longevity of it — to make sure that fraternities are at Ball State for years to come. So we had to have a change in culture. But after that vote happened and that decision was made, I became the face of it.

A lot of community members weren’t excited for that. They didn’t want the social pause. They didn’t understand why it was necessary and I was a target, I guess. Everyone was mad at me even though it was a community decision. So it feels good. It feels good to be recognized. I questioned the impact that I made on the community. We all try to be humble, but it does feel good to be recognized because I felt like all of the sacrifices I made and all of the work I had put into the Greek community was worth something.

21

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

IHQ:

In what ways has Greek Life changed at Ball State from the time you joined to now?

TH:

I’ve represented us in a lot of campus offices. I met with the university police department and asked them, ‘What are ways that UPD and IFC can work together so that we have a stronger relationship?’.

At the beginning of my term, there wasn’t a relationship. If there was one, it wasn’t positive. So I started inviting them to IFC and having our fraternity men go out to their events, and coordinating tailgates to make sure they’re safer and there’s a point of contact for everyone. I think that made our relationship with UPD a lot more beneficial. With any campus office, if there was a relationship, it was something that I wanted to make sure was positive, and I wanted to make sure we were representing our

community like we say we are. In addition, when I took office, it was mandatory for chapters to send members to a lot of different events the council hosted. So I worked really hard to create a system that did not require so many mandatory events. I created a point system, so chapters needed to collect points based on the number of active members they have, and we attached point values to our events.

So it was up to chapters to decide if they felt like they needed more guidance in recruitment, or more guidance in membership development, then they could send more people to those events to earn their points that way. That created, I think, a sense of going to something because they actually want to instead of going just because they have to. Last spring, we also hosted a white ribbon campaign, which is the largest men’s movement to end violence against women.

IHQ: Now that you’ve won this

award — and obviously you’re very passionate about being in a fraternity and Greek Life in general — what do you think about the future of it? In what ways do you hope you impact the future of Greek Life?

I THINK IF WE CAN GET BACK TO TH: THE BASICS OF WHAT FRATERNITY WAS FOUNDED ON AND WHAT OUR ORGANIZATIONS’ FOUNDERS WANTED FOR US, THEN FRATERNITY WILL LAST FOREVER.

I hope to work for Lambda Chi after I graduate. In 10 years or so, I hope to work as a Director of Greek Life. I plan to get my Master’s Degree and work directly with Greek students.

IHQ: What do you think about how fraternities and Greek Life are portrayed in the media, and why do you think it’s wrong?

TH:

Our organizations were founded on values and on brotherhood. But a lot of times in the media we hear about hazing, or we hear about the misuse of alcohol and drugs, or rowdy behavior. But our organizations weren’t founded on hazing. Our organizations weren’t founded on alcohol, drugs or rowdy behavior. So I think if we can get back to the basics of what fraternity was founded on and what our organizations’ founders wanted for us, then fraternity will last forever. If you look at the philanthropy and the community service and what a fraternity’s impact is on campuses and campus communities, and the towns and cities that colleges are in, it’s unmatched.

Chapters raise thousands of dollars for nonprofits and spend hours doing service in their communities. Those are the things that make fraternities so special, along with the bonds that you build with your brothers.

IHQ: What does being a Lambda Chi mean to you?

TH:

I am really proud to be Greek, but I am especially proud to be a Lambda Chi. I joined Lambda Chi because, on my campus, Lambda Chi was known for leadership. My orientation leader was a Lambda Chi; the student body president was a Lambda Chi; and those were things I wanted to associate myself with.

If you look at the history of fraternity, Lambda Chi has been a leader in changing culture. We were the first to create an associate member program; we were the first to create a culture that isn’t surrounded with hazing; and those things make me proud. I know that Lambda Chi is, always ready to be a leader, which encourages me to step out and be a leader.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

A Balancing Act

22

A BALANCING ACT Brothers of Pi-Lambda at St. Louis College of Pharmacy Balance Academics and Fraternity By: Taylor Grayson, Associate Director of Communications

Members of Pi-Lambda during their annual Pumpkin Smash philanthropy event.

T

he Pi-Lambda chapter at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy [STLCOP] is not your average Lambda Chi chapter.

Just ask members Paul Luebbers, Sheldon Kolawole, and Ahmad Jacksi.

For all three men, Greek Life was not on their radars going into such a specialized college, but one look at what Lambda Chi had to offer, and each was sold for their own reasons.

“Just talking to them [Lambda Chi brothers] and hearing what they stood up for, what they believed in, and what their goals are in life, I found that similarity between myself and them,” said Jacksi. “I found out that if I surround myself with the people who strive for the same things that I strive for, hopefully they will help me reach my goals

while I help them reach their goals.”

While their experiences could be compared to the many other great stories from across the fraternity, the three pharmacy students are in a very unique environment. The college is obviously academically-driven, with each member of the chapter striving for the same goal. This produces its own unique set of challenges in terms of time management skills and realizing each member’s priorities, but the benefits of being part of Lambda Chi on such a focused campus are invaluable.

“I think that’s what really sets us apart, we get the best of both worlds,” said Luebbers. “We have that professional aspect of being here for pharmacy and professional degrees, but then we also

have that Lambda Chi aspect where we still have all of the community service, philanthropic events, community outreach, which is super important for pharmacy because we are here to help our patients and the community as a whole.”

Each brother has his own story to tell, despite all being on campus for the pharmaceutical aspect. Luebbers served as student government president last year. Kolawole is the current High Beta, while also completing his obligations to the tennis team as captain and a member of the men’s soccer team. Jacksi gives back to the fraternity on the High Kappa committee and served as the High Sigma last year and is also part of the men’s soccer team.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1 Between all of the obligations and commitments to their school work, all three men agree that Lambda Chi Alpha has given them many opportunities that they would never have anywhere else.

For Luebbers, this came in the form of being a part of the International Ritual Team at the 56th General Assembly.

He says that the connection formed be-

tween other brothers from across North America was priceless.

Kolawole and Jacksi agree that the connections they have made through Lambda Chi will not only help them in their professional lives, but far beyond.

“It’s cool to see that connection [between Lambda Chi brothers], even

A Balancing Act

23

though you might not have said one word to this person before, but you still share that bond,” said Kolawole.

Because the coursework, followed by rotations after the undergraduate experience, are so demanding, members of the Pi-Lambda chapter have become experts at splitting their time between academics and fraternity.

To brothers across the fraternity, the three STLCOP men give this advice: make sure to have your priorities straight and be loyal to all of your commitments, but don’t be afraid to rely on your brothers through thick and thin.

Looking forward, each member is excited for what the future will bring, but they know they will always have the stability of their brotherhood.

Pi-Lambda members attending their annual philanthropy event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

“I’m proud to wear my letters every day, whether that’s seeing my brothers during classes or a random alumnus from a different chapter,” said Kolawole. “I’m proud because I know that the standard us brothers hold for each other and ourselves is widespread, nationwide and it’s something I can look to any brother wearing those letters and say, ‘That’s somebody I can rely on’…”

I THINK THAT’S WHAT REALLY SETS US APART, WE GET THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

BUILDING A LEGACY Flagler Colony Becomes First Greek Organization in College’s History

Building a Legacy

24

“We knew that being the first fraternity and Greek organization on Flagler’s campus that it would need to correspond closely with Flagler’s beliefs,” Bigelow said. “Lambda Chi was the best fit we could find.”

by: James Vaughn, Digital Content Specialist

For them, the quality of men who join is top priority. They must be in it for the right reasons. It’s not about numbers.

“We’re looking for quality over quantity,” Bigelow said.

The men have already hosted the largest tailgate on campus in more than a decade, assisted with the college’s bystander intervention training and helped move students into their dorms.

They are doing their part off campus too. They’re helping feed the homeless in St. Augustine and have supported and raised money for a brother who was diagnosed with bone cancer.

Flagler College

L

ambda Chi Alpha’s colony at Flagler College is changing the game and leaving quite the legacy.

Lambda Chi will be the first fraternity at Flagler. In fact, it will be the first Greek organization entirely. That is not something the 20 men who became associate members last month are taking lightly.

“Right now, we’re the only (fraternity on campus), so we have a lot to uphold,” said Jared Cross, who was part of the interest group that fought to bring Greek Life to Flagler’s campus.

“We have to maintain a good reputation which shouldn’t be too hard because we have such a great group of guys.”

The men hail from all over the country and Canada, with most from the Northeast.

“It’s a big deal, especially since it’s never happened here before,” Cross said. “It makes me feel like I have a lot to look forward to and a lot to live up to.”

Flagler’s Vice President of Student Services Daniel Stewart said the pressure is on them now.

“Today, you’ve got to be able to show that you are productive,” Stewart said.

“If Flagler College is going to go out there and sell the fact that Lambda Chi Alpha is the fraternity on our campus, then they’ve got to have a sterling reputation.”

“We have a really strong culture of giving back here at Flagler College, and that seemed to be a big focus of Lambda Chi,” Stewart said. “So that’s kind of what peaked my interest the most to follow through with this.”

So far, they are on the right track.

Flagler — an all-girls college in the late 1960s and 1970s — still struggles to recruit men, and the administration will admit part of that is because they haven’t offered Greek Life. The men in the colony believe a fraternity will attract more men to campus.

“One of the biggest problems on campus has been retention, especially among freshmen and sophomore men,” said Colin Bigelow, the colony’s treasurer. “Part of that was a lack of sporting events and part of it was a lack of school spirit, so by creating a fraternity, we hoped that we could increase that retention rate and increase the men- to -women ratio.”

They looked at several different fraternities before landing on Lambda Chi.

Statue of Founder Henry Flagler

In the evolution of Flagler — they’ll celebrate 50 years next year — he thought it was time the administration took a look at Greek Life and considered embracing it as part of the campus community.

“In the evolution of our college, it is the right time,” Stewart said.

Fellow administrator Dirk Hibler, Flagler’s Dean of Students, is a Lambda Chi alumnus.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1 “I told them I was a Lambda Chi, so naturally that was one of the fraternities we looked at,” Hibler said. “Once they looked at the website and we started talking to other people who are Lambda Chis, they decided it’s the fraternity they wanted to go with.”

Ultimately, he said, it came down to which fraternity did the most community service, and the men were blown away by Lambda Chi’s commitment to it.

“We’re building a legacy with the 20 guys we have now,” McNulty said.

“These guys are outstanding. There’s so much loyalty, so much brotherhood.”

There is also a strong alumni base in the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area — 2,400 alumni within 100 miles of campus.

“The specific thing about Lambda Chi that made me want to join was the aspect of patriotism,” he continued.

“Lambda Chis are proud of something, and not too many people are proud of much anymore. So with Lambda Chi being there as a constant morale boost of patriotism and also of brotherhood, I was sold on it.”

“They’re very strong. They want to go out and achieve things in the community. They want to be part of a legacy here at the college,” Hibler said. “Lambda Chi, they felt, offered the uniqueness they were looking for.”

Hibler is proud the fraternity he has devoted his life to is the one the men chose to bring to the campus he has called home for 15 years.

“We’re a very small college of about 2,500 students, so having Lambda Chi on this campus and having it be at the forefront, I couldn’t ask for a better group of young men and the best fraternity we can offer,” Hibler said. “I want to see all of these guys succeed.”

For some, it kind of fell in their lap.

“I met the guys on freshmen move-in day actually, and thank God for that because I don’t know where I’d be without them,” said Jarred Kent, a freshman associate member.

He knows that for the rest of his life, this group of guys will have his back.

“I will always have someone I can constantly turn to who isn’t my family and who isn’t God either,” Kent said.

“They’ll always be there because they’re my brothers.”

Nick Alfi considered transferring before he met this group of guys. Now,

Building a Legacy

25

he’s proud of all that they have accomplished.

“I would have never thought that we would have done this a year or two ago,” Alfi said. “It’s kind of surreal honestly.”

Recruitment Specialist Brett Turner spent three weeks this semester helping the colony transition into its next phase.

“This group of guys got together and reached out to us to bring us here,” Turner said. “So it’s interesting to work with a group that has already set the stage a little bit. A lot of stuff is already established.

“I’ve been working with them to turn them into what we expect from a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter. I have been really impressed so far.”

He helped them identify the type of individuals they would like to recruit.

They have to pursue the values they’re looking for and not be willing to accept less, Turner said, especially considering Lambda Chi is the only option at Flagler.

Originally, about 40 men were recruited. Only half of those men remain.

The men joined for various reasons.

Many of them joined as a way to make more male friends.

John Clark went to an all-boys high school, so Flagler was a culture shock for him.

“I had a real sense of brotherhood there, so coming to a small (female dominated) school like this, I kind of missed it,” Clark said. “Having a good group of guys to hang out with is something that’s really important to me.”

Others were excited about the opportunity to build a legacy, like High Alpha Mike McNulty. He is graduating this spring, but wanted to get the ball rolling before he puts on his cap and gown and starts the next chapter of his life.

High Alpha, Mike McNulty, talks about laying the groundwork for Lambda Chi to become the first fraternity on Flagler’s campus.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

Building a Legacy

26

THE CORE GROUP OF GUYS TOLD THEM IF YOU’RE NOT IN THIS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND IF YOU’RE NOT GOING TO UPHOLD LAMBDA CHI’S VALUES, THERE’S THE DOOR.

Jared Cross meets with Recruitment Specialist, Brett Turner.

“The core group of guys told them if you’re not in this for the right reasons and if you’re not going to uphold Lambda Chi’s values, there’s the door,” Turner said.

Even though he is on the road again, he will continue to help them recruit leading up to initiation in April.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing them set an identity for Greek Life here at Flagler,” Turner said. “I’m excited to see them continue to prove people wrong.”

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

27

OUTGOING REFLECTIONS

T

he largest reason I wanted to be an Educational Leadership Consultant was the passion to give back to Lambda Chi Alpha. During my time at the University of Southern Indiana, I served on the Executive Committee and as High Theta. What I realized by my senior year was that all of the skills that my fraternity was developing in me were helping me in so many other areas. When I started my student teaching, the high school I taught at loved my ability of creating a community and the ability to have difficult conversations with students. The skills I developed in my fraternity were now being used outside of college life.This feeling of how much Lambda Chi can do for college men drove me to be a consultant.

Professionally, being a consultant has prepared me greatly for my next step in life with interviews and pursuing a master’s degree. I feel much more confident in my skill set and can use the skills I have had to use extensively in any future career. I also believe that I have learned much more about myself while on the road and being in uncomfortable situations. I think that makes this job one of the most rewarding : not only seeing new parts of the country, but constantly developing your “people” skills. With that, one of the most challenging parts of this job is to really take that personal time away from work and enjoy the many hidden treasures in the United States and the local areas that you visit. It is easy to lock yourself in a hotel room and work, compared to going on a hike on a nearby trail or experience a car show in a completely new city.

As I pursue a Master’s in Higher Education at Eastern Illinois University, I truly believe I was picked for my assistantship in Civic Engagement and Volunteerism because of my abilities to build a community, educate members, relate to others, and debrief experiences. My advice for future Educational Leadership Consultants is know that what you do does make a difference to not just a student, but a Brother within our bond. You may not see the impact you have made on a Brother, or a chapter, but know that you are making a difference on a group of Brothers that can then make a difference on their campus and community. For myself, years later, I know I will always remember the Brothers who thanked me for helping them and their chapter. The relationships I have made during my travels will always be the ones I will cherish.

-Alex Martens, Senior ELC

A

s a senior in college, I realized that I had really enjoyed my time on campus and my involvement with various student organizations, including Lambda Chi Alpha. I knew how much of a difference numerous professors and student affairs administrators had made on my college career. I finally decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Higher Education. The job as an ELC, and now a Recruitment Specialist, was the perfect opportunity to get some professional experience under my belt working with student leaders and to also travel and see some new parts of the country.

I think I have learned two extremely valuable skills as a field staff member: how to have difficult conversations and how to manage time well when working on multiple complicated tasks. Personally, I think this job has made me more adventurous and independent. After traveling the country alone for nearly 8 months in a year, for two years, I think I would be comfortable going and doing anything by myself.

Recently, I got the opportunity to lead two expansion projects as a first-year ELC (Middle Tennessee State University & Houston Baptist University) and it was my favorite part of the job. I got to meet so many new, interesting folks. I felt like it was an awesome thing to get to introduce these people to Lambda Chi Alpha, which has had such a great impact on my life. I’m hopeful that the fraternity has had that sort of impact on some of the men I have recruited, and that is was makes recruiting so fulfilling.

Through these positions, I have gotten to see and do so many cool cities while on staff that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise (Washington, D.C., Houston, Nashville, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Austin). The challenging part is being alone for such long periods of time. You face challenges with any job, but normally you go home to your apartment and talk with a roommate, friend, or significant other about it. With this job, you can only do that from a distance. You learn to make the most of your time though and keep busy by exploring new things/places.

I’m not sure I was fully prepared for how difficult the job would be at times. With that in mind, I would really encourage the incoming men to figure out what it is they need to do to ground themselves or to destress. I really love good food and good books. When I’m on the road, I try to make sure I am finding time for both of those things and it really keeps me refreshed. I think it is important that as traveling staff members we give every group we visit the same amount of energy. It can be challenging when you are on visit 20 for the semester, but you have to remember each chapter/colony only gets one visit a semester. You want to make is as great as possible for them.

As far as a “thing I’ve learned”, I have too many to even begin to narrow it down. I think this experience has been all about the people I have met. I have built genuinely great relationships with fellow staff members, alumni volunteers, campus professionals, and undergraduate members that I know will stick with me beyond my time with the fraternity. I think that is what I am most thankful for.

-Dylan Bateman, Recruitment Specialist

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

28

A Q&A WITH

CHRIS POCKETTE Current Associate Director of Chapter Services, Chris Pockette, has certainly seen all Lambda Chi Alpha has to offer, starting his journey as an Educational Leadership Consultant and then moving up the ranks. Through the three positions Pockette has served in during his time at International Headquarters, one thing has remained the same: his passion for the fraternity’s mission.

IHQ:

How did you become interested initially in becoming an ELC?

CP:

So my undergraduate degree is in architecture and prior to taking on the role or looking into being an ELC, I was really involved with Lambda Chi and my college and extracurricular activities. I got to see the higher education and student affairs roles through orientation, Greek Life and different student organizations. I was really passionate about my involvement, so while architecture was something I was also passionate about, I wanted to pursue and see if I would be interested in going into a career in higher education or student affairs. The ELC position seemed like a great opportunity for me to not have to worry about directly jumping into architecture; I could always go back to that field. Being able to get some experience in higher education while doing something I’m really passionate about with the fraternity seemed like a winwin to me, so I figured after two years, if I wanted to go back to architecture, I could always do that or go to grad school if I wanted.

IHQ: What would you say you have learned from each position you have held at International Headquarters?

CP:

I’ll say personally, I’ve definitely realized that I’m not passionate about architecture as a career. Not that I don’t enjoy it as a hobby, and I actually enjoy a lot of aspects of it, I just think I’m passionate about different things I could do in a career. Higher education is definitely something that I feel is necessary and something I could do for myself personally. I’ve also become really interested in potentially going into fundraising, which strictly extends from my experience in recruiting.

I see the idea of going on expansion recruiting with potential new members and trying to sell them the idea of the fraternity would be very similar to selling the idea of donating to a cause or contributing time and effort towards that. Any kind of fundraising or philanthropy is what I’m thinking will be my next step.

Professionally, I’ve definitely learned a lot about how to conduct myself in a professional setting. I think it is important to balance having a good time in the office and providing a positive office culture, but also getting work done. I feel like I am still improving upon that: finding time to actually enjoy yourself and have that free time with the people you work with and supporting each other too. I see it as even if you are at a director level or a new staff member who has just started, these positions (at least on Chapter Services side) are stepping stones to the next thing. I am really passionate about being able to get more experience rather than it being just a job.

It is actually stuff that will help me out later down the road with whatever career I decide to pursue next. Even as an ELC and Recruitment Specialist, I feel like I got a lot of networking and professional skills, but now as Associate Director of Chapter Services, being able to get more of the management and supervision, hopefully I can use that in a career 10-20 years down the road .

29

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

IHQ:

What made you want to keep coming back to Lambda Chi?

CP:

The fact that you have a common bond, outside of just work, and being able to share similar experiences, even if you weren’t undergraduate members of the fraternity, I think that is something that I have found that I really enjoy about working at Lambda Chi. At the end of the day, while this is a job for each one of us, we are really doing it for the bigger impact we can make on our undergraduate members, our alumni members and each other to make Lambda Chi the best it can be. From day one, when I was looking at the position, the reason I started as an ELC was because I was so passionate about Lambda Chi. That passion has continued through all of the different positions that I have been able to hold.

Being able to stay on as ADCS and see Justin Fisher as Director of Chapter Services and where he wants to take our department, I think it’s really interesting.

He wants to focus on the growth of our team professionally, but also personally, and I think that’s super important to our office culture, and not that we haven’t been promoting that, but I’m super excited to see how that will change and develop over the next few years.

IHQ:

What do you personally hope to accomplish through this role?

CP:

A big thing would be focusing on opportunities for current staff that they can seize right now to translate their experience to the next step and the next level. So being able to provide professional opportunities over the summer training, not just to help them with their consulting or their recruiting, but also connecting them with alumni in the area that are in the field that they want to end up in and giving them the opportunity to actually build a mentorship. We have done that with our previous and returning consultants and specialists, but I think that would be something super great to open it up to all of our Chapter

Pockette addresses brothers.

Services staff and potentially bringing in other parts of our staff in terms of a mentoring role. I feel like there are a lot of opportunities here at Lambda Chi for our staff that aren’t always taken advantage of.

I also think our model of chapter visits has really developed over the past few years to become much more about how can we consult and coach a group rather than just audit and pull data to say you’re either doing this right or you’re not. So I would like to continue on that trend and dive into more ways of providing resources and tools and support that is necessary. Every group does it differently, and we understand that, but if there is an issue, we want to address it with them and work forward from it, rather than just saying this is wrong, you need to fix it. Developing our training that we do with our consultants and recruitment specialists over the summer to be more enhanced and having more conversations around providing resources and support and insight on how to fix a problem and how to coach a chapter will be huge.

from experience), a chapter does something that probably could have been done better that I’ve learned by being on staff. While yes, I enjoyed my chapter experience, there are so many more beneficial things that can happen and how do I take my experience and enhance it by using the things I learn in training and visiting other chapters to help make other groups better. The biggest thing that you have to consider is if at the end of the day you don’t think you are qualified or you’re not sure if it’s something that would be a good fit for you, if you are passionate about the fraternity, that is what is going to keep you motivated through it. Like I said, personally, that’s the one thing that has kept me around.

The idea of having the fraternity as a support for my life is something that I’m really passionate about and if you have that, you will get through the things that are challenging. You will get the most rewarding experience by being on staff.

IHQ:

What is your most rewarding aspect of being on staff?

CP:

I would say by far, my most rewarding experiences on staff have been the expansion processes that I was able to lead. I really enjoyed being able to work with the group on a campus where Lambda Chi didn’t even exist and bringing them on, seeing their passion and how nothing at the beginning of the semester became a fully-functioning colony, soon to be chapter. That was just the coolest experience.

IHQ:

IHQ: What advice would you give CP: to incoming consultants or recruitment specialists?

CP:

One of the biggest things that has really helped me, since starting as an ELC and moving forward, has been the idea of unlearning. We have these ideas of our chapter experiences, and I think that every chapter experience should be validated, but sometimes (speaking

Any additional comments?

I thought this would just be a year or two years to figure out where I would be. I continually kept coming back and I saw that value. It is something really unique and definitely something that has been attracting me, and I hope that anyone else who interacts with the General Fraternity gets that vibe. That’s what our headquarters is out to do: provide that level of insight and support; we want to make everybody happy.

March 2018 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #1

30