During Troy Weston’s, Tennessee ’05, twelve years practicing law in Tennessee, he represented and advocated for clients who were facing catastrophic situations like unconscionable workplace discrimination or debilitating personal injuries. Being a lawyer has been central to his life purpose (served as president Tennessee’s 3,500 young lawyers association). He highly values his opportunity to be a part of his clients’ roads to recovery.
He says, “I don’t think you can come of age during the post-September 11 era and not have the call to serve your country in some capacity in the back of your mind. The older I got, the louder that voice got. As I looked around the world, I was struck that the world is encumbered by the capacity for so much destruction, and I felt like my calling was to be part of the peaceful dialogue for progress. Also, Phi Delta Theta has some great alumni to look up to: the Fraternity has had two secretaries of state and multiple ambassadors.”
Weston will be completing coursework over the next several months in preparation to becoming a consular officer with the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The process has been long. “From the time I submitted an application until the time I was offered the position was about 20 months; it requires two rounds of written submissions, an exam that covers everything from grammar to the history of U.S. policy, interviews with the State Department, and then a background investigation to get your medical and security clearance. I think diplomats do some of the most critical work in advancing U.S. foreign policy and worldwide prosperity, but as a brand-new diplomat, I don’t feel like I am yet part of that work. Consular work specifically is broad: it covers everything from making visa determinations to assisting U.S. citizens abroad.”
During Brother Weston’s time at the Tennessee Gamma Chapter he served as Phikeia educator and secretary. Since his 2005 graduation, he has been a member of the chapter advisory board as its risk management adviser.
