Q & AGR

Bill Schilling, Nebraska

Brother Bill Schilling of Kappa Chapter, Nebraska, once served as Alpha Gamma Rho’s Associate Executive Director and was Editor of the Sickle & Sheaf magazine for 14 years (1981-95). He currently serves on the Nominating Committee for the National Fraternity. He was also the Executive Director of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2022.

What’s the difference between being part of a fraternity vs a club?

Fraternity is a lifelong endeavor, whereas clubs are more temporary in nature. You are committed to a Fraternity brotherhood and involved in a club. Once you join a fraternity, you’re in it forever. That’s different than things like Rotary and Kiwanis; once you stop paying your dues, you’re out. Whereas in a fraternity, you’re a member for life. Hopefully, you acknowledge that and continue to give back. For me and many, you also live with all these young men, and the relationships you build daily are constant. Those immersive relationships are much different than the average club.

Why are collegiate and alumni relationships so important?

It’s important to try and maintain relationships where you can — just for your own joy — as well as networking opportunities. I recently went on a Nebraska alumni outing to Tanzania with three Nebraska AGRs and our wives. One reached out and all of us immediately said, “Let’s do it, it’ll be fun!” We’re retired now and able to do these things more readily, but I’ve also been on fishing trips many times with them and other brothers! I have many, many AGR friends (Kappa Chapter and otherwise) that I stay in touch with whom I haven’t seen in-person in a long time. It is always uplifting to engage with these guys. (I happily saw several at the National Convention in Sacramento.)

What led to you working with the National Fraternity in your various roles?

At first, wanderlust! When I went to college, I’d never been anywhere — a high school senior sneaking to a Kansas City Royals game was the farthest journey. After two years as an AGR staff member, I had visited 48 states, and nearly all our chapters. Since then, my wife and I have been to more than 50 countries and hope to hit many more. During college, I was Noble Ruler and was also involved in many campus activities. It became clear that I was a people person and apparently had some skills at organizing things. So, when a job opening at AGR came up, I jumped on it. I luckily was hired and ended up being the number two guy for my great mentor and friend Phil Josephson. I also had the great examples from Russ Mawby, Bill Sayre, Ed Lidvall, Al Johnson and many others that helped me advance professionally and personally.

What advice would you give to collegiates transitioning to young alumni?

The biggest thing is to stay involved for your own benefit and to give back — to help make things better for the brothers yet to come. Don’t be afraid to use the brotherhood to reach out to ask questions to meet and stay in contact with people. I have found that most people like to be asked for advice and professional guidance. No matter how accomplished folks are, it is still flattering. My advice to anyone, young or old, includes these basics: do what you say you are going to do. If you agree to be a volunteer, make sure you follow through and do the work in a timely manner.