Going into college, the idea of joining a fraternity did not appeal to me whatsoever. With widespread news coverage detailing the ugly sides of Greek life, such as hazing and sexual assault, I quickly decided that Greek life wasn’t something I was interested in.

I knew I wasn’t the stereotypical ripped, toga wearing frat boy chugging a beer. Popular 21st century movies like “Animal House” and “Blue Mountain State” suggest these stereotypes of fraternity life that Americans have accepted.

Even before starting at RPI this time last year, I pretty quickly decided that joining a frat wasn’t for me, and was reluctant to even attend any recruitment events.

What started as me going with some friends to what I didn’t know at the time was a fraternity house, led to me making great friends with the brothers in the fraternity, and eventually myself becoming a brother of the Rensselaer chapter of Acacia Fraternity.

Through the challenges of the pledging process, and my friendships with my now brothers, I have learned the importance of teamwork, friendship, hard work, and kindness.

I am now a member of a brotherhood for life. This family means more to me than I can imagine. As an active brother for the foreseeable future, I will work hard to provide such a fraternal opportunity for future students, as was provided to me.

If you are a student who is not interested in going Greek, I would recommend reevaluating your views. Although the most heard of fraternities may be the grounds of some horror stories, I believe and stand by that others are good places of teamwork, morality, and acceptance.