Before I enrolled in the University of Kentucky, I went to Jefferson Community and Technical College, where I graduated with my Associates of Arts degree.

Coming to a large university like UK was a big, big change for me. Here I was graduating from a small, regional campus of a KCTCS school with an enrollment number of about 100-200 students to a university with approximately 20,000 students.

One of the most prominent things that stood out to me as I entered UK as a student for the first time is the presence of Greek organizations. It seemed to me these organizations had members who understood and valued one another.

When I first started here, I was experiencing flashbacks of childhood trauma and it became a hindrance in not only my life as a student but in all aspects of my life as well. I would drink copious amounts of Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon to help me deal with the flashbacks in my head. This was my life until August of 2017.

Then I decided to join a fraternity. I was going to rush a normal fraternity, but the flashbacks gave me a sense of fear that made it hard to be social.

While attending White Hall Night, God revealed to me the presence of the fraternity that I would later rush and ultimately become an active member.

The fraternity I joined was Beta Upsilon Chi, Brothers Under Christ. When I talked to these guys for the first time, I knew in my soul that I should join this fraternity.

And I'm glad I did. Beta Upsilon Chi and God gave me the close friends I so desperately needed when the flashbacks were rampant in my head.

Joining this fraternity has given me brothers that hold me accountable not only for my actions, but my spiritual walk with the Lord. And now, I have the divine strength to deal with the flashbacks and brothers to lean on when my flashbacks become overwhelming or when life becomes overwhelming.

I personally invite any young man here at the University of Kentucky reading this that desires a relationship with Jesus Christ to come talk to my fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi.

You can reach our president Matthew Moore at (859) 325-3513. You can also reach our pledge captain Mason Thompson at (859) 325-3845.

I personally hope that any young man who desires a relationship with Jesus Christ to act on that desire and come talk to us. Because when you act on a desire for the Lord, it can change your life for the better.