By Brett Sutter – Illinois Gamma (Monmouth College)
When thinking about my Phi Delt experience throughout the past four years, a lot comes to mind. I was able to experience something that not too many Phi Delt men do: colonization. When I entered rush my freshman year, joining a fraternity was a possibility, but it was not necessarily a reality. I was not sure if I wanted to join the Greek community at Monmouth, a community that included the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi. I already knew a couple people who had joined an interest group of Phi Delta Theta when I was a senior in high school and they were hoping to turn that interest group into a full-fledged, colonized, Phi Delta Theta Chapter.
About halfway into rush, I knew that I wanted to join this Phi Delta Theta interest group, because it was something that I could make my own. All of the guys that I had met were already a part of it and were quality guys. The thing that really sealed the deal for me were the three cardinal principles: Friendship, Sound Learning, and Moral Rectitude. The three cardinal principles really stood out to me, and they were all qualities that I felt like I should strive to improve on in college, especially if I wanted to mature and become a better person. I rushed Phi Delta Theta, and fortunately enough, was given a bid.
In my short four years of being a member of the Illinois Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, I have been the House Manager my sophomore year and Secretary for the final two years. With these positions, and serving on the executive board, I believe that I have grown up from the responsibilities that were given to me. I have often treated Phi Delta Theta as a business. I feel this approach has prepared me for life after college. When I was a freshman, I had no direction and was content with sitting aside while life passed me by. Phi Delta Theta has given me confidence in my abilities over the years and has encouraged me to strive for excellence, while continuously working to be the best person I can be. Additionally, I now enjoy both the little and the big things in my life, and I make it a point not to take anything for granted.
I have matured over the years and I believe that Phi Delta Theta has given me the skill set to be able to succeed in any environment that I may be put into. I have made friendships that will last for a lifetime, and I have memories that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I have grown up and learned many intangibles that I never would have gained had I not joined Phi Delta Theta. Most importantly, I have gone from being a boy to a man, and I will always strive to transmit the Fraternity to those who may follow after, not only not less, but greater than it was transmitted to me.
Brett Sutter is a senior at Monmouth College majoring in Anthropology and Sociology. In his time at Monmouth College, Brett has served on the executive board for Illinois Gamma as House Manager and Secretary. He was recently voted as Illinois Gamma’s representative for Monmouth College 2012 Greek Man of the Year. Brett also served as a tutor for the Anthropology and Sociology department and was a Scot Ambassador (student who works closely with Monmouth College Admissions).
