A driving force for most of the Brothers who joined the three new Associate Chapters at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Colorado – Boulder.
The feeling of creating something fresh and new, and getting the opportunity to watch it grow under their leadership was such an enticing factor for these Brothers.
But what will they do with their ‘blank canvases’?
Gamma-Beta Zeta at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Cole Waller (Nebraska, ‘28) didn’t originally have plans to join a fraternity when he arrived at the University of Nebraska, but as the semester started, his friends began to join other fraternities. This prompted him to look around. He received a bid from another fraternity; however, he declined when he heard Lambda Chi was back on campus. His father was a Member and thought this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
The choice between joining an established fraternity on campus and joining Lambda Chi was simple. The idea of the Associate Chapter being new excited Waller. He was eager to have a say in the direction of the Associate Chapter and how it grows. It also helped that he liked what Lambda Chi stands for.
The prospect of holding a leadership position in the Chapter was another factor in his decision to join. Although weary of holding a position so early in his collegiate career, he knew this opportunity was one he couldn’t pass up. In being appointed Internal Vice President (High Beta), Waller was confident that he could rally the other Members and facilitate the growth of bonds within their Brotherhood.
Beta-Upsilon Zeta at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Current President Grayson Keistler (UNC Charlotte, ‘26) was on the fence about joining a fraternity when he got to campus, a feeling shared amongst other Beta-Upsilon Brothers. He heard Lambda Chi was coming back this fall and did some research. Though he was late in his collegiate career, he took a chance and decided to join the Fraternity.
He was sold on the idea of building something from the ground up. An idea that other Brothers, like Dylan Davis (UNC Charlotte, ‘27), also held. Brother Davis transferred to UNC Charlotte from East Carolina University this fall. Joining Lambda Chi was an opportunity for him to continue to be a backbone for his fellow Brothers.
All throughout high school, Davis was the kind of person people would come to if they had a problem or needed advice. Always more than willing to help, he constantly steered people in the right direction. From these experiences, he was confident in his ability to lead the Associate Chapter to new heights, eventually becoming the Social Chair (High Epsilon).
Brother Davis wasn’t the only new Brother who had previous leadership experience. Both High Tau Matthew Kingsley (UNC Charlotte, ‘27) and External VP (High Theta) Darius Robert (UNC Charlotte, ‘28) had their own experiences. Robert had already been involved in community service at this church before he joined the Fraternity, so he was prepared to take on the External VP position and lead his Brothers in service.
Kingsley had already been a part of the Student Government Association before his journey into Lambda Chi. He was eager and excited at the prospect of being able to continue his growth in leadership and connect the new Chapter to other organizations on campus.
University of Colorado – Boulder
Both President (High Alpha) Tanner Mason (CU Boulder, ‘28) and Social Chair (High Epsilon) Austin Shofner (CU Boulder, ‘28) had a similar stance on joining Greek Life compared to the other two Chapters.
Mason was not familiar with fraternities when he got to Boulder. He hadn’t heard much about it other than it was all partying, something he was not interested in. However, when he heard about the return of Lambda Chi, his interest was piqued. He learned that his grandfather had been a Lambda Chi at Boulder back in the 60s. Not only did the stories from his grandfather prompt Mason to join, but the idea that he would have a hand in shaping the culture of the fraternity.
“This kind of entrepreneurship experience of building something from the ground up was really eye opening to me,” Mason said. “That’s what really drew me in.”
Shofner was the same way. He hadn’t put any thought into the idea of joining a fraternity until he got to campus. All the guys around him were talking about recruitment and joining fraternities. When he really thought about it, he felt it might be a fun experience for him.
So, what does the future look like for these three Chapters? Growth, and lots of it.
Whether it’s hosting the biggest and most impactful philanthropy event on campus, or being the largest Chapter, all three Chapters want to grow as much as they can and see their impact as they leave their respective Chapters upon graduation. A strong Brotherhood is another shared goal amongst the Associate Chapters.
“We want a big Brotherhood, but a Brotherhood where everyone knows each other’s names, everyone gets along, where we can joke around with each other and so on,” Shofner said about the Boulder Associate Chapter.
The Charlotte, Boulder and Lincoln Associate Chapters are on the right path to success and their Members have drive and determination to make their Brotherhoods successful.
