Luke Johnson

Jennifer Hudgens

WRD 110 Section 058

10/13/15

Frat Bro's

            What does it really mean to be a part of something more than yourself? Everywhere around the world and in every culture people have a strong tendency to become part of something more than just who they are. This is the basis for many organizations around the world and is the reason why people want to join these organizations and religions, to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. That's where I come in, formerly a new college kid just looking for something to be a part of, now a candidate of one of the number 5 fraternity in America (Newsweek 1).

            There are many misconceptions about fraternity life. A lot of people believe that they are just a bunch of dumb, well dressed guys who go out and party all of the time. But anyone who has seriously looked into this knows that it isn't true at all. As a member of a fraternity you're expected to be a lot of things, including; a gentleman, a scholar, respectful, motivated, well dressed, etc. Every fraternity has a specific set of values that they focus on and look for in their members and recruitment, but every single fraternity has respectable core values that they believe in completely. It is every member's job to represent these characteristics in absolutely everything that they do, and it is their fraternity brother's jobs to help hold them accountable for it. Whether it be at a party, in class, or even just walking down the street, everyone in the fraternity must uphold the values they believe in.

            This accountability system brings everyone extremely close together. Unlike many other organizations, fraternities are brotherhoods. Sometimes not everyone will get along and sometimes there may be arguments or fights but everyone is like family. In the end would go to war for everyone else in the fraternity because we all have been through similar experiences and all love each other like a true brother would. Many sports teams also carry this same value of brotherhood, the ones who carry it the strongest are usually the best teams out there, regardless of talent. For example, the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team consisted entirely of college, and amateur-professional American hockey players. That year they were inexperienced and untalented, but they ended up defeating the dominant Soviet Union hockey team who were expected to win the gold medal that year (Coffey 1). The American's didn't win because they were the better team, or because the Soviet Union wasn't prepared, the American's won because they were a brotherhood, the teammates loved each other and fought for every single inch of that ice for each other. That kind of love is what it is like to have fraternity brothers who have your back through thick and thin.

            To the right is a picture of a painting called A Serpent, Rose, and A Star. This was painted by Elmer Paul Catts Jr. in 1952 and this painting still stands as an official symbol of Sigma Nu. The knights in the photo each represent one of Sigma Nu's values; Love, Honor and Truth. This represents the 3 sections of the creed of the fraternity which is, "To believe in the life of love, to walk in the way of honor, to serve in the light of truth. This is the life, the way and the light of Sigma Nu. This is the creed of our fraternity" (Hopkins, Riley, Quarles). This short version of the entire 804 word creed is taught to, and memorized by every member that joins the fraternity. The first time I heard that creed I got chills because I knew right then that I was in the place that I wanted to be.

            The photo on the left was taken before chapter meeting. It just depicts everyone just hanging out having a good time just like anybody else would. Shortly following this photo, everyone got up and ate dinner together just like a family does every evening. Chapter meeting is a giant meeting where everyone in the fraternity must attend (shown below). During this meeting, the leaders of the fraternity go over everything that is going on within the fraternity. They let everyone know about philanthropy events, fundraisers, academics and anything else that is relevant to fraternity activities. While attending these meetings you really learn what fraternities are about. Every fraternity has meetings because without them you would just be a symbol of the fraternity stereotype. These meetings are where things are accomplished. During these meetings, people find out who needs help in what class, and who can help them. During these meetings, we organize philanthropy events and create a desire for our members to be participate. It is during these meetings that the fraternity brothers are reminded that they are a part of something larger than themselves and that they need to not only hold themselves accountable, but to hold each other accountable as well.

            Fraternity life is a lot of things; it's complex, weird, difficult, time consuming, and a lot of hard work. But it is worth it. The combination of the fun fraternity parties and the lifelong friends that you gain, makes fraternity life sweeter than honey. The worthiness in being a fraternity man lies within 3 main things, your growth in values as a man, the strength of networking, and the accountability that being a part of something holds you to. I wouldn't want to be a part of any other organization. Unfortunately, fraternity life is in danger of collapse due to a weak relationship between the chapters, and the University of Kentucky's Interfraternity Council (IFC). Due to new IFC regulations and policies fraternity life is being weakened and is not in a strong state. This is the issue that I will be investigating and learning more about over the course of the semester, not only to get a good grade, but also to possibly help the state of all Greek life at the University of Kentucky.

Works Cited

            Coffey, Wayne. "Miracle On Ice." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_Ice>.

            Hopkins, James, Greenfield Quarles, and James Riley. "Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. • The Creed." Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. • The Creed. 1869. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <http://www.sigmanu.org/about/the_creed.php>.

            "College Rankings 2012: Top Fraternities." Newsweek. Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <http://www.newsweek.com/college-rankings-2012-top-fraternities-64505>.