Personal Statement: Why You Should Join Phi Theta Kappa

While going through the process of determining what college to go to many students focus on what majors are provided, location, an overall sense of the school, and several other things. One thing that is often overlooked is the option of going Greek. Many male students often do not even consider the option of going Greek because of false pretenses. One common misconception of going Greek is because the members are stereotyped to be party goers who do not do well in college. This could not be further from the truth. For members of the Kappa Alpha Order, there are several ambitious standards that must be maintained to stay in the Order. Also, joining Kappa Alpha opens members, both current and former, to several opportunities. Finally, Kappa Alpha is an Order that holds several beliefs that most southerners have faith in.

​From a time when achievement was rare, and succeeding among minority was minuscule, a sense of order was needed. During this time Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated came into the world, bringing core values and achievement. Within the five objectives Kappa Alpha Psi showcases the distinction of itself from other fraternities. The founding fathers had the desire to shape a unique group personality different from the other greek letter college organizations, around the idea of achievement. When achievement was mainly concerned with improvement of personal status, security, and meeting the demands of everyday living the founders of the fraternity envisioned something bigger. Thus bringing about the Five Objectives that men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated live by and exemplify on a day to day basis showcasing Achievement in every field of human endeavor.

Viral videos of fraternity and sorority members partying and getting drunk off of beer might be the first images of Greek Life that pop into your mind, but that’s only a stereotype. There are nine historically black Greek letter organizations across the country that present an entirely different image of Greek life. Focusing on their multiple involvement on campus, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) members are proactive in the community and on USCA’s campus.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated purpose is to be of service to all mankind dealing with critical issues in communities domestically and internationally. What I have grown to understand an envision a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be, I accredit largely to the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter. This has the result of attending many of the chapter’s events during my time at Hampton thus far. One of my favorite events was a screening of a documentary Girls Rising. I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge because in some parts of the world girls are restricted from receiving an education. A

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated have made everlasting effects on my life. Having mentors in this fraternity allowed me to see how every member feels responsible for improving the communities that they are from. They never hesitate to take the leadership roles that are needed to see change. I would like to become a member of Alpha Phi Alpha because it would allow us to share a brotherhood with great men, it will allow me to make valuable connections with other positive men around the world, and it will help me become the best version of myself. My desire to become a member of this fraternity began my freshmen year after I attended the first informational meeting. At this meeting I was able to speak with members and also learn from them. They each have strong leadership characteristics that allow them to serve on executive boards across campus and they all are high achieving students at Cornell.

After becoming a member of the Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, I was elected to be chapter president that is relatively bold move for the chapter and seemingly unheard of for a chapter to put someone with less fraternity experience at the head. There was an immense

On December 5, 1776 the first collegiate fraternal greek letter organization in the United States, Phi Beta Kappa was founded at Yale, the College of William and Mary.Building from the example of literary organizations, which were based on literary debates, and election, Phi Beta Kappa set many standards for collegiate greek letter organizations in the realm of rituals/traditions, selective admittance, faculty and community support. It was not until one hundred and thirty years that the first black greek letter organization, Alpha Phi Alpha was founded. The need of this organization emerged from a lack of admittance and representation in social clubs and greek organizations established on college

My name is Jacob Dube and I currently serve as the President of the Florida Chapter of Delta Chi here at the University of Florida. In 1776, you all made a decision that would forever change the course of college history at the College of William and Mary and many other universities nationwide as you created the first American collegiate fraternity. I cannot express my gratitude for you as you all paved the way for the Greek system in a college and university setting. The Greek experience is one of a kind to all of its members, and it has helped produce some of the most successful people in our country. I would like to share to you some great news about today’s Greek systems here at the University of Florida and how you helped shape the success of so many Greek students.

My partner and I grew up around many sororities, but Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. has always caught our eye. When our teacher explained our topic that could be an interest to us, my partner and I decided on Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. The sorority A.K.A means a significance in our community. It was the first African American women's sorority dedicated to serve the people and others in need. We knew that we would dedicate our time in making the project a success.

Originally, I had the common misconception that fraternities solely focused on parties, drinking and their social status. As I further researched the founding principles of Alpha Phi Alpha I became aware they collectively prioritize scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. Alpha Phi Alpha is

“This is what Phi Theta Kappa is all about, the community of scholars,” said Straus at the gathering, “The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to promote enthusiasm in scholarship, leadership and character.”

Pursuing the dream of obtaining membership into the First Intercollegiate Greek Fraternity for African Americans, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. is one of very few ultimate goals in my life. An organization that was founded to stimulate the ambitions of its members and prepare them for great usefulness within the community has since become one of the most well respected organizations in America. Over one hundred years later, the pivotal movement in 1906 has spread to over the entire country in different collegiate chapters and cities across America and the impact has been tremendous. Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. was vaguely introduced to me as a child but it did not take effect until I started school at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

When I first joined Eastfield, my brother informed me about Phi Theta Kappa. He would always talk about all the opportunities that the honor society offered. In high school, I was a part of the National Honor Society, so I am already familiar with the formalities that take place within an honor society:

academically based such a Phi Theta Kappa here at BCC, of which I am a member.

Greek organizations are still relevant on today’s campus. Simon Riker, a freelance musician said, “I learned a lot about myself and other people, more than I would have otherwise… offered me a tremendous amount of opportunities and a vast social network” (Friedman 990). Many fraternities are involved in their communities. The fraternity and sorority would hold a fundraiser where they would raise more than $20 million for charity. Averagely most fraternities have a slightly higher grade-point average from just the students who are not in a fraternity. The grade-point average is approximately 2.912 (Friedman 990). Fraternity and sorority members is more likely to be prepared after their graduation. The percent within the Greeks and the non-Greeks on how prepared the students are after graduation is 37 percent Greek to 27 percent non-Greek (Friedman 990). Fraternities and sororities are seen as a way to further one’s career after graduation (Friedman 987). Kimbrough adds, “we have to figure out how to give them life lessons to make them better citizens, help them