Column: Fraternities go beyond the stereotypes

Negative stories about fraternities are constantly published by news outlets across the country, but the media fails to report the positive impact of these organizations.

Like any group, fraternities should be called out and held accountable when they have done wrong, but they should also be celebrated for the difference that they are making on their campuses and in their communities.

On October 11, UNC Pi Kappa Alpha and Zeta Tau Alpha held the “Street Tacos for Sophie” event to honor the life of Sophie Misshula, who passed away last year.

She was a sister and friend to the members of the fraternity, and the funds raised at the event went to the Community Empowerment Fund.

“It was so touching for me to see my whole brotherhood coming together to celebrate my sister’s life because honestly, I would not still be a student at UNC-Chapel Hill if it weren’t for my fraternity,” Aidan Misshula said.

When his older sister passed away, the closest group of friends Misshula had were his fraternity brothers.

After taking some time off from school to grieve the loss of his sister, he decided to return to campus.

“A lot of times people write fraternities off as just a place to party, but for me it was a network of guys who really saved my educational career and overall future. They were there for me and made sure that I felt OK and was ready to come back to campus life,” he said.

“I think it’s super unfair to write off an entire organization based on your own beliefs about them and not actually hear the stories of the people involved in them,” he added.

Some people see a fraternity shirt and make assumptions about the person wearing it. Often, they are based on negative stereotypes.

But, who is the stereotypical fraternity member? There is not one in Pi Kappa Alpha.

Ryan Wallace, a sophomore in the fraternity, was the co-founder of a political action committee when he was just 18 years old.

The Cardinal Direction Pac aims to get young people in North Carolina more involved in politics.

Other members of the fraternity find their calling in the sciences. Biomedical engineering major and neuroscience minor Brady Anna is part of the Helping Hand Project Club, which prints 3D hands for children with disabilities.

He is also a volunteer firefighter in the Halesite Fire Department back home on Long Island.

Jace Jordan-Cornell has a busy schedule as a youth soccer coach. He also regularly volunteers at a local elderly home, the Carolina Campus Community Garden and the Special Olympics North Carolina.

Jake Randall is the publicity chair of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and Ethan Rodgers is on the executive board of the Carolina Economics Club.

“I see from them the benefit of humility,” Misshula said. “There are a lot of guys that are incredibly smart and hardworking, but they do it so quietly. That’s got to be the biggest thing I admire about them.”

Through the peaks and valleys of college, Misshula’s fraternity brothers have been constant and steady friends.

Misshula, like many of his brothers, is quiet about his accomplishments.

On top of being the president of Pi Kappa Alpha and studying for his classes, Misshula works 10 hours a week for Cisco Systems on the virtual software team and worldwide software sales.

He is also a Community Empowerment Fund advocate and goes to the office two hours a week.

“I’m not unique in being someone who works hard in a lot of directions. There are a lot of guys like me.”

Indeed there are. I met many more members of the fraternity with similar stories. 

Misshula’s message?

“Meet people and talk to them. I think you’d be surprised to find how many good, quality people there are on this campus.”