Alpha Kappa Lambda, a collegiate social fraternity dedicated to excellence in scholarship, leadership, individual growth and community service, has a new colony on SVSU’s campus.
Spearheaded by international business freshman Wyatt Meese and business freshman David Becker, the fraternity was officially founded Dec. 2, 2014.
The process of beginning the SVSU colony began in October 2014.
“I actually started pledging with one of the fraternities on campus, but it didn’t fit in my schedule,” Meese said. “It didn’t feel right. I really wanted to be part of Greek life, but that one wasn’t right for me. I checked out the other ones and they weren’t right, so I thought maybe I needed to find my own path.”
SVSU’s colony of Alpha Kappa Lambda has 11 members, all freshmen living in Living Center North and most who are Foundation Scholars.
The colony’s recruitment goal for rush week is to double their member roster.
“We are kind of the fraternity that if you don’t fit in with the other ones, you will fit in with us.” Meese said.
As a founding member, Meese is the colony’s president. Becker, as another founder, will act as an educator for students interested in rushing Alpha Kappa Lambda.
Business freshmen Sean Gilmore is co-treasurer and secretary. He is most excited to start interacting with other Greek life on campus.
Gilmore said the group is looking for members that are interested in joining for reasons beyond adding their membership on a resume.
“We are really into fundraising; we are also into service,” Becker said. “We are going to try to get … service projects going … to change and expand Greek life.”
“We feel there is a stigma attached to Greek life, like (stereotypes) of just hanging out and having fun, people who never really left high school,” Meese added. “It really should be about … making a difference at our campus.”
The colony’s biggest plan for the semester is bringing its national philanthropy effort ‘These Hands Don’t Hurt’ to SVSU.
Focused on fundraising to fight sexual assault on college campuses, a ‘Promise Wall’ will be displayed in a prominent place on campus. Students, faculty and staff will be asked to place their hands on the wall to make a promise that their hand will not be used to harm.
“We are all really motivated and excited just to start,” Becker said.
Meese feels the colony’s first year will allow members to create and set expectations for the future.
“You are going to be seeing our faces around and hearing our letters a lot,” Meese said.
