It’s been a long first year of college. I’ve been tested mentally, physically, and emotionally at times on this small campus. I’ve met people I can’t imagine going a summer without, and I’ve met people that things can only get better with. I’ve tasted potential I didn’t see in myself with running, and I’ve also seen just how much I am my own enemy in running. I’ve seen the brotherhood I’ve always looked for in the miles on roads with my teammates, and the long weeks with my brothers. I’ve been made to think critically of the conservative values I’ve grown up with, and change them to traditional values. Little bit opposite then how most college students become more liberal. I’ve seen the stresses of a Wabash education, athletics, and fraternity pledgeship. Similarly I have seen the fruits of many of these labors, a more educated mind, and Socratic Method of looking at life’s questions. I came here a Biology Major, and I will enter my sophomore year as a Classical Studies Major and Religion Minor. After a long year, which would take too long to entirely look back on, I only have a summer of running, work, and reading standing between myself and another semester under her scarlet banner.

Last night my pledge brother Lucas David Myrna’17 and I were initiated into the Psi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (aka FIJI). I can’t really say much more than I am happy to finally be a member of one of the greatest FIJI chapters in the world! Can’t wait to see how the next 3 years play out as a Phi Gamm, and for the incoming pledges of FIJI Class of 2018 to come in this Fall. Looking forward to this great new section of my life!

This weekend was Phi Gamma Delta’s Psi Chapter FIJI Island party. Being one of the biggest, if not the biggest, function of the year. An event that a large portion of Wabash Men and visiting females attend; and I do mean a lot of females.  

My pledge father’s girlfriend, my pledge mother, Caroline

We make two large sandpits in our parking lot, a tent, DJ with lasers , a volleyball net, and make it an island theme. On top of this, during the week we host our faculty dinner with libations for the faculty, and proceed to put on that FIJI swagger in hopes of making our professors love us even more. We participated in the Sets on the Beach volleyball tournament, hosted by Phi Kappa Psi, and I believe won it; maybe.

Formal in Louisville (Louaville) was by far one of the most fun times I’ve ever had, and it was also the longest drive I have ever made (which is kind of a bigger deal for me).  The Brothers of Phi Gamma Delta were able to spend Friday night to Saturday morning at the Galt Hotel, and we were able to explore and travel different parts of Louisville.

A number of people visited the derby, others the Louisville Slugger Factory, and others went to Chipotle for lunch (i.e. me). We went around town, saw the people, the riverside park, and enjoyed hanging in our hotel rooms watching ABC Family movies. Theeeeeeeen we turned up with that fancy three course dinner, and danced like Wabash Men do (like idiots, ’cause #YOLO).

Leave your phone in your room and go to the library for several hours. That is all. College will suddenly become a lot easier, your work will get done much quicker, and have more focused papers and assignments done.

However, when you’re having free time go and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to watch us experience Wabash in pictures and words!

@audiekaufman