Currently I have two college boys. One (#7) a football player for the 2010 National Champion Eastern Washington Eagles and after working hard for a few years, awarded a full ride scholarship. Bravo.
Then Blue Eyes - decides to attend WSU and was set to go into a dorm with a boy he knew from high school. Just 3 weeks prior to his move in date, he was interviewed by members of the Phi Gamma Delta at WSU for a $1000 scholarship. From that interview, came an award - a "Directors" Scholarship for full room and board if he agreed to come into the house at the start of the school year, maintain at least a 3.2 each semester and IF he made a 3.5 GPA at semester, he would receive a $1000 check. Each semester. The goal was to help "improve" the house. Grades, standards, philanthropy, general involvement. Ryno Minn has finished 4 semesters and has received the check EACH semester. When he was interviewed he was told, point blank, that most guys move out their junior year. They have had it with the noise, crowds, etc. Ryan thought he would be one of those guys early on. This year - the FIJI house had one, yes one - junior living in the house.
Next year... 22 are committed to and signed up to return. 22 JUNIORS. He has held up his end of the bargain. The house has the highest cumulative GPA they've had in years. They are no longer on "tier" which means, they aren't required to do as much philanthropy as other greek houses next year. It's a step in the right direction. He took his part of the scholarship to heart and has worked hard, all the while working in the Sports Information Department, working hard to get into and recently accepted to the school of Communication and still having time to enjoy all that college is about.
The FIJI's are known to be a secret keeping group and while I know that Ry-Man is on the cabinet, his own mother doesn't even know what position he holds. His girlfriend doesn't know! But to me, that's a small price to pay for the gift he's been given!
His younger brother is being recruited by the FIJI house at UW, as well as a few others - and we, he, is hopeful to get an invite to be a FIJI. After all of the stories, successes, fun and growth his brother has had - I am hopeful the stars align so that he too, has the opportunity to build these relationships!
That's just a little bit about it - whether you care or not, but mostly what I wanted to do was post this recruitment video, with this great song, that Ryno Minn made for recruits to get an idea of things they do. We are proud parents and love how giving he was of his time to make this while everyone else was finishing off the year and enjoying warmer days - he was working on this! And a shout out to Tyler P for all of his work too!
Good stuff... good stuff indeed!
1 comment:
As a Kappa Delta in the late 80s/early 90s, living kitty-corner to the Fiji brotherhood, we could not have had better neighbors. always gentlemen. i know fraternity and sororities have up and down trends in membership......let's hope the momentum created continues for Fijis.
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