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ALPHA BETA CLASS | MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE |
WKUFIJI.COM
ISSUE 2021.1
LETTER from the EDITOR Brothers,
DIRECTIVES& DIGRESSIONS
As the spring semester nears its end, I find it undeniable that we are in a time of great change. The pandemic that has occurred over this past year has upheaved everything we thought to be normal, and while I find it cliché to say, it is true that we must now begin to adjust to what will be our new normal. It is our nature to change as people. To exist in a state of flux is to be human, and to try to prevent or deny change is to deny your own nature. The only thing we can have any affect on is what kind of change we wish for this to be. We can only strive to be better than we were the day before. Three pledge classes now have not known what a “normal” semester in FIJI looks like, being the Omegas, Alpha Alphas and the Alpha Betas. The nature of our chapter and what it means to be a FIJI is in metamorphosis, but I have every confidence we are changing it for the better. In this issue of the Chi Eta Newsletter, we meet the Alpha Beta class, shine a spotlight on our newest committee, hear from Mr. Greek God himself, Nick Lee, and take a look at a snow day on the Hill. While the suffering and gnashing of teeth seem to be behind us, our future is still filled with uncertainty. In this issue, my committee and I endeavor to highlight the ways in which our chapter continues to change for the better. Your editor, KENDALL WHEELER
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PHOTOGRAPH BY PRESTON ROMANOV
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Publications Chair Kendall Wheeler | Design Consultant Thomas I. Deaton Publications Committee Ken Barlow, Jack Galloway, and Preston Romanov Special Contributor Mason Quiram Cover Photograph by Preston Romanov
LAST-MINUTE RECRUITMENT PLANNING AT FT. ARMSTRONG, AUGUST 30, 2018. 3
6 A GOD AMONG MEN
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10 ALPHA BETA SPOTLIGHTS
24 MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
Brother Nick Lee brings home the title of Mr. Greek God
Meet our newest pledge class, the Alpha Betas
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SNOW DAZE
A collection of photos from our week of winter weather on The Hill A spotlight on our newest committee, Mental Health, and an interview with David Weafer
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Photos by Colin Rogers
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Photo by Alpha Gamma Delta
a god among men 6
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On
Photo by Mason Quiram
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=490157
Thursday March 18th, brother Nick Lee competed in, and won the annual Alpha Gamma Delta Mr. Greek God competition. For his efforts, Lee came home with $100 for our chapter’s philanthropy, and was also able to contribute to Alpha Gamma Delta’s event for their philanthropy, Fighting Hunger in America. “In all honesty, I didn’t expect to win any awards at all, so to win Greek God was a nice surprise,” said Lee. The event started with a brief introduction of each contestant that featured an interesting fact. “Mine was that my roommate snores so loud I have to blare rap music to sleep,” said Lee. In the next portion of the event, contestants wore togas and were asked a random question. “Mine was if I were stranded on an island, what three things would I bring? I said a machete, a bouncy house, and a hot date.” Finally, for the talent portion of the event, Lee had quite an interesting talent to bring to the event. “I did the Macarena wearing cowboy boots, jorts [jean shorts], a cutoff flannel, and a cowboy hat.” This act cemented Lee’s victory.“I’m always happy to bring an award home for this chapter!” Lee did not rule out a repeat participation in the event.“I’m sure it would be a lot of fun when things get back to normal, and the event can have in-person spectators.”
Story by Mason Quiram
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8 Photo by Riley Crawford
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Photo by Colin Rogers
Photo by Bike4Alz Team 9
ALPHA BETA CLASS Justin Goins
Year: Freshman Hometown: Paducah, KY Major: Philosophy Favorite Spot on Campus? The fountain in front of Van Meter Hall Special Talent: I can type 120 words per minute.
Tremaine Hawkins
Year: Sophomore Hometown: Hopkinsville, KY Major: Healthcare Administration Favorite Spot on Campus? Gary Ransdell Hall Special Talent: I can play the baritone.
Trey Englehardt
Year: Freshman Hometown: Sacramento, KY Major: Undeclared Favorite Spot on Campus? Fresh Foods Inc. Special Talent: Peaked in high school.
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Adam Burns
Year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Accounting Favorite Spot on Campus? Downing Student Union Special Talent: Taking five minute naps.
Jack Galloway
Year: Freshman Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: International Affairs Favorite Spot on Campus? I like to climb the columns at the Colonnades Special Talent: I can do a little dance, anywhere, anytime.
Cade O’Neal
Year: Freshman Hometown: College Grove, TN Major: History/Historical Studies Favorite Spot on Campus? Fresh Foods Inc. Special Talent: I have the ability to be an obnoxious Texan whenever I need to.
Michael Knab
Year: Freshman Hometown: Burlington, KY Major: History/Historical Studies Favorite Spot on Campus? Downing Student Union Special Talent: Always being injured.
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ALPHA BETA CLASS (cont.) Chrisitian Hines
Year: Freshman Hometown: Russellville, KY Major: Architectural Sciences Favorite Spot on Campus? Cabell Drive Special Talent: Swag never turns off like fr
Blake Crosley
Year: Freshman Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Marketing Favorite Spot on Campus? Preston Center Special Talent: Being built different.
Arkeavious Prater
Year: Freshman Hometown: Somerset, KY Major: Dance and Fashion Merchandising Favorite Spot on Campus? Gary Ransdell Special Talent: I’m talented at a lot of things so I couldn’t single out just one.
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Photo by Mason Quiram
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14 Photo by Bike4Alz Team
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Photo by Mason Quiram
Photo by Mason Quiram
Photo by Kendall Wheeler
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Snow Daze In the week of February 14, Western Kentucky University was
struck by a snow storm of proportions rarely seen in Kentucky. For a week, The Hill was covered in ice and slush; classes were can-
celled, and time seemed to grind to a screeching halt. With a temporary reprieve from the hectic
day-to-day of college life, all were in high spirits. The following is a gallery of photos collected over the course of the week.
Photo by Anna Leachman
Photo by The Castle
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PHOTO BY PRESTON ROMANOV
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Photo by Christian Hines
Photo by Mason Quiram
Photo by Riley Crawford 18
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Photo by Justin Geilar
Photo by Preston Romanov
Kendall Photo by
Wheeler
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Committee
Health
Health
Committee
Mental
Mental
Photo by David Weafer
Photo by John Slaughter
A picture from Men’s Night, a weekly event hosted by David Weafer aimed at getting men talking about their issues in a way that has often been deemed “unmanly.”
The committee is led by co-chairs John Slaughter, who plans and host mental events such painting, walks, and tea time, and David Weafer who hosts Men’s Night and others aspects such as anonymous mental health surveys.
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This spring semester, Chi Eta debuted a new committee, raising awareness to the issue of mental health. The mental health committee was founded by David Weafer, a senior psychology and communications major from Owensboro, KY. David serves as one of the chairs of the committee which has 11 brothers (1/10th of the chapter) serving on it. The committee does most of its planning through GroupMe rather than meeting in person. Here is what David had to say about the new committee: Q: What inspired you to create a mental health committee? A: A few years ago, I learned about the Movember foundation which deals with raising awareness for men’s mental health and cancer. The spokesperson said men are at higher risk of suicide and not getting their cancer treated earlier than women. I was told this is because the cultural norms dictate that men shouldn’t talk about their issues but should be “strong and tough” which ironically puts them at greater risk. I’ve become increasingly passionate about mental health since then and realized that mental health is relevant for many men but the conversations about it are sparse. Q: What are the goals and values of the mental health committee? A: The goal of the mental health committee is to normalize mental health dialogue and provide brothers with healthy outlets. We value vulnerability, open dialogue and want every voice to feel heard. Q: Has the committee been successful this semester? A: The committee has been able to host a variety of events and reach brothers in different ways. We’ve gathered in small groups and made breakfast for members, drank tea, relaxed with some Bob Ross painting and gone on group walks. We also have Men’s Night every week. Each week, a graduate brother zooms in and talks about their mental health experience and leads a conversation. We have also set up an anonymous survey that allows brothers to send in prayer requests or just vent if they are struggling. Multiple people have taken advantage of that. I would deem these events and their impact as a successful effort on the part of the committee. Q: Who have been some of your favorite graduate brother speakers this semester? A: I honestly couldn’t choose a favorite grad bro speaker for our Men’s Nights. Each of them has added such a unique perspective to the conversation this semester. We’ve had grad bros talk about clinical depression and diagnosed health disorders but also have heard from people who talk about the transition from college to work life and the influence of philosophy on their life outlook. I think it is important to have a variety because some brothers may have a chronic mental health issue but others may not. It is important for everyone to see how mental health can play out in their lives regardless of their circumstances. Q: Where do you see the committee go in the future? A: I am working towards coaching the next leaders of the mental health committee for when I leave after this semester. I am working towards teaching them how to conduct Men’s Night with the ability to put their own twist on it should they choose. I also plan to document what we have done and create a list of areas we could grow as a committee so that the next chair can take it even further. I hope that in the future we have occasional speakers or presentations for the whole chapter to learn about mental health at our meetings.
Story by Preston Romanov
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PHOTOGRAPH BY PRESTON ROMANOV
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WORDS TO LIVE BY
“Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.”
By American author Napoleon Hill
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