By Courtney Voegele
As a senior at Miami University, I am aware that my time here is limited. I look back and reflect on how I spent my time. I have worked with and been a part of so many amazing organizations, and with so many opportunities available on campus, I am forever grateful that I decided to intern for Phi Delta Theta’s General Headquarters during the first semester of my senior year. As a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a former Greek Life Guide, I knew I wanted to continue to be involved in the Greek community. The internship offered at GHQ allowed me to do so, while also enhancing my non-profit experience and gaining knowledge in the field of communications.
Serving as the communications intern at GHQ has taught me many valuable lessons. Not only did I learn how to write press releases, news items, and full-length articles, but I also learned the importance of professionalism, punctuality, and thoroughness. I will take all of these skills with me when I graduate and seek to enter the professional world. However, there is one major principle that I took away from this experience – the importance of loyalty.
I was always aware of loyalty as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Serving as music chair for my sorority taught me importance of ritual, and how this ritual bonds a group of individuals together. I knew it was important to attend chapter meetings, participate in service activities, and to always strive to be the best version of myself. However, after looking at the Greek community from a different perspective, I realized the extent to which this unconditional devotion builds an organization.
The current members and alumni of Phi Delta Theta, as well as some of my non-member colleagues, have shown me what it means to be truly loyal to one another. I was fortunate enough to receive the opportunity to interview leaders from Phi Delta Theta chapters around the country. Half a dozen men were kind enough to answer questions I asked them about setting and achieving chapter goals. The answers they provided were insightful and thought-provoking. They, along with so many other leaders in this organization, proved to me the quality and nobility of Phi Delta Theta. Loyalty comes in many different forms. Alumni, ritual, service, and leadership are just a few of the ways that I have personally seen the loyalty of the members of Phi Delta Theta. This has inspired me to take what I learned back to my sorority and encourage our members to make every effort to be the best that we can possibly be.
It is a breath of fresh air to have worked with an organization filled with so many honorable people. Even as a non-member of the Fraternity, I was welcomed with open arms into the Phi Delta Theta community. I am eternally grateful for this experience.
