As an associate member of Lambda Chi Alpha, I learned one of our open mottos. Its meaning is “nothing without labor.” This motto is one that I took to heart and could not describe my past four years any better.

I have done things that dozens of other Greeks have through out their time at WKU, whether it is IFC, Greek Week — we all do it. These organizations and events teach all of us skills that most people our age wouldn’t get the chance to learn until entering a professional career.

Personally, however, I grew up a lot during my two terms of being president of my organization. During these two years, I had to remove the charter from my fraternity house’s wall, had to kick out members I initiated, and was personally investigated by the university.

All of these are things I would never wish on any member of the Greek community, because you become hated by your brothers and sisters.

As a result, most of the time during this I wanted to quit, but with the support of my brothers we were all forced to grow up together.

That’s the thing about being Greek and growing up, you are forced to admit your faults, get rid of the past and move forward. I was challenged every day by my headquarters and the campus as to why my organization should even stay on the campus.

The moment I knew that I had grown up was when I wrote my letter offering my personal membership as a trade to keep my brothers right there on 1504 Chestnut. Loyalty, duty, respect, stewardship, honor, integrity, and personal courage are all things I have learned in my time as a Lambda Chi, and I am sure they are the things that all Greeks learn during their four years here.

You cannot gain anything of worth in life without labor. Four years ago I was just memorizing that motto, and now I live it every day.