Greek InterVarsity is just one part of a larger movement that connects with students and faculty on campuses across the country. Though Greek IV has the highest concentration of fraternity and sorority members serving on staff, there are many Greeks serving with InterVarsity in lots of cool ways. Here's a snapshot of just a few of the Greeks on staff with InterVarsity!
Kimberly Blackford
University Attended: University of Louisville
Graduation Year: 2000
Greek Chapter: Zeta Phi Beta
Current InterVarsity Role: Area Director in Kentucky
What’s one unique thing you loved about being Greek?
I love the history and tradition that goes with being greek. Particularly with NPHC organizations there is a richness of history and culture that you are joining into.
How did your faith intersect with your experience in your chapter?
I brought my faith with me into the chapter. People knew as I was pledging who I was and that I was really trying to live for Jesus. Because of this my Sorors knew who to come to if they needed prayer or if they wanted to talk about Jesus. At one point I got to help one of my Sorors rededicate her life back to God.
Are there things you learned/experienced in the Greek system that influence your work/life today?
Well being that I'm on staff with IV and working with students it definitely helps to open doors with students both greek and non-greek alike. Non-greek students usually have questions about being greek, and its been helpful with greeks to know how to navigate some of the nuisances that are part of the greek system. Also learning the skills of networking, event planning, and leading people are helpful pieces that have continued to be developed on staff. Even things as simple as how you dress and present yourself to people have been helpful tools that I remember and use today as well.
How do you stay connected with your chapter?
I'm not very connected with the chapter now. Being on campus at times I will meet some of the current Sorors on the yard. But I don't do much with them. From time to time I'll attend an event on campus or an event that the grad chapter is doing, just to support.
Kurt Thiel
University Attended: Fresno State University
Graduation Year: 1985
Greek Chapter: Lambda Chi Alpha (Iota Gamma Chapter)
Current InterVarsity Role: Coordinator for LINK Staff
What’s one unique thing you loved about being Greek?
Community! Being friends with a bunch of guys who loved doing crazy things.
How did your faith intersect with your experience in your chapter?
I came to faith in my house. Later, I led Bible studies and saw some brothers come to faith.
Are there things you learned/experienced in the Greek system that influence your work/life today?
All students/people are spiritual people and looking for meaning. Sometimes, this is directed at the wrong things like alcohol abuse or sex, but deep down, people are looking for purpose and meaning.
How do you stay connected with your chapter?
I maintain some friendships, follow the Facebook group, and try to visit when I am in town.
Danny Profit Jr.
University Attended: Aurora University
Graduation Year: 2010
Greek Chapter: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., ΟΠ
Chapter
Current InterVarsity Role: Campus Staff at Joliet Junior College and Northern Illinois University What’s one unique thing you loved about being Greek?
I really loved the brotherhood and the friendships that I garnered from being a Sigma. No matter where I went, if I came across another frat, we instantly had a common bond and interest from which we could relate and build relationship.
How did your faith intersect with your experience in your chapter?
I became a Christian right before pledging, and so as a young Christian I struggled to understand what it meant to follow Jesus as a Sigma and relate to my peers. I didn’t have any counsel on how to be Christian and be a Sigma at the same time. So I messed up a lot. But God still used that to make a positive impact on my brothers and sisters (Zetas).
Are there things you learned/experienced in the Greek system that influence your work/life today?
I learned the importance of networking, building relationships and finding areas of partnership, which impacts my ministry partnership development today. I also learned the necessity of using my work to give back to the community and make a positive impact on those coming up after me.
How do you stay connected with your chapter?
I’m not really connected to the current Pi Omicron chapter. But I am connected to many of the brothers who pledged Pi Omicron before me because of the Sigma graduate chapter I’m currently involved with. I’m still connected to my two ships (the two guys that pledged with me). They are good friends of mine. Both will be standing with me in my wedding party when I get married.
Calvin Chen
University Attended: University of Illinois
Graduation Year: 2006
Greek Chapter: Sigma Phi Epsilon - Illinois Alpha
Current InterVarsity Role: Campus staff for Asian American IV at UW Madison & regional mutli-ethnic specialist
What’s one unique thing you loved about being Greek?
The types of people I got to meet, hang out with, and befriend. At a large state school it was very difficult to do this outside of classes, my major, the ethnic organizations (as an Asian American), and my Christian fellowship. The Greek system tended to self-select motivated, involved individuals, and in my house I got to meet and befriend people with diverse interests and ideologies ranging from the editor of a campus paper, presidents of the LGBT org and College Republicans, and college athletes and members of the glee club and marching band.
How did your faith intersect with your experience in your chapter?
By the time I joined the house I was already a follower of Jesus and there was a small group of folks who were intentional about living out our faith and sharing it in the house. It was a great learning experience to see this at work with its intentionality in both its successes and failures. I wish I'd been able to contribute more to this but eventually as an upperclassman I felt more called to witness to the Asian American community on campus.
Are there things you learned/experienced in the Greek system that influence your work/life today?
Seeing a well-run student organization with a strong leadership pipeline and sense of belonging and ownership from its members was helpful as a paradigm for me as a CSM in terms of how to coach my students in running our chapter. The interactions with different perspectives, ideologies, and campus involvements I gained from the Greek system definitely helped make my college experience and shaped me and the friendships I made.
