I originally wanted to join a fraternity for the same reasons as most guys. I was looking for a place to get drunk and party for the rest of my college life. Basically, I was trying to land myself on Total Frat Move, BroBible, Barstool Sports, or any other website that highlights the drunken experiences of young college men. Pledging started, and two of my best friends were there with me, so I was content. The other guys in my pledge class seemed like nice enough guys, but I didn't know most of them very personally. Over the following weeks, I became to realize there is much more to fraternity life than drinking: it truly is brotherhood.
I am a proud member of the Delta Phi Chapter of Kappa Sigma at Hobart College. It took me a while to realize what it means to be a fraternity brother. I walked into the room of my brother, Rob Colton to have a simple conversation. The conversation was simple. I told Rob that I was going through a tough time in my life. My father is a juvenile diabetic who has been on dialysis for four years because he needs a kidney transplant. Along the way he has suffered an array of complications that have complicated the process. Rob offered his support, and gave the generic "if you need anything, I am here." That was it, and I went back to my dorm.
Two days later, Rob called me into his room to have a meeting. He told me that all the brothers wanted to start a fundraiser for my dad's mounting medical bills. I was taken aback by the gesture. Not more than a few months before that exact day I did not know a single brother in the chapter. Now, they were all uniting for me? In a matter of weeks, however, we raised $1,000.
The truth is, you don't fully understand brotherhood until you are a part of it. The pledging process is difficult at any fraternity. No fraternity is the same as the next, and that is what makes it so great. There is a frat out there for every young man. If you look hard enough, for whatever your reasons may be, you will find the right group. Six months ago, I couldn't have imagined having the support system that I have today. Joining a fraternity has been the best decision I have made since coming to college, and I encourage all young men out there to do so as well.
