Alpha Sigma Phi - University of Washington

3 The Grand Chapter Advisor job manual is almost one-hundred pages long, and every day may be uniquely different in guiding and advising the undergrads as they manage and lead their own undergraduate chapter experience. But during certain times of the year the schedule of the GCA is highlighted by writing letters of recommendation for the under- grads as they seek potential jobs, or admission to grad schools, or applying for scholarships and awards. I had the opportunity to write one such recommendation letter for an undergrad who was seeking a national scholarship recently, and I was taken aback by the significant accomplishments of this particular member of the House. Like many of the under- grad Brothers, his background included an enormous number of hours in philanthropic activities and in service to the community, both while at UW and also prior to his admission to our prestigious university two years ago. His academic record is highlighted by recognition as a member on the UW Dean's List during every quarter that he has been on campus, and his extraordinary leadership service to the chapter as an undergraduate officer rounded out his resume. It reminded me that our chapter attracts the best and the brightest in the UW Greek system, and that our 105 continuous years on campus has been highlighted by our continued ability to embrace a fundamental culture in the chapter where lead- ership, service, and academic performance are at the core of what we do every day as a Brotherhood. Along with the day-to-day duties of having the privilege of serving our own chapter, one of the largely unseen roles of the GCA is to interact with the advisors from the other 32 fraternities on campus. It may seem unusual that I have served in the GCA position at Washington for 31 years, but that is actually only in the mid-range of the UW fraternity advisor seniority scale. One of my fellow advisors has served his chapter for over 50 years! I count many fellow chapter advisors as among my close colleagues and friends, but in particular I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Fiji, Sigma Chi, Beta, Lambda Chi, Theta Chi, Zeta Psi, and Alpha Delt alumni leaders for decades. We have an organized and well-run Alumni Interfraternity Council which seeks to ensure and enhance the long-term viability of the UW Greek system, and we strategically interact with the UW administration on various levels. While each advisor obviously has an unwavering devotion to their own chapter, we all embrace and support the overall fraternity experience at the UW. Recently, one of our very dedicated alumni emeritus advisors, Gary Ausman of the Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) House, even went so far as to make a personal gift creating a permanent endowment fund within the UW Foundation which will provide, in perpetuity, a unique and first-rate leadership curriculum system-wide for the UW fraternity presidents and emerging chapter leaders. The UW Alpha Sig House and the UW Greek system are as strong as ever, and with your continued support will remain the finest Greek expe- rience in the country. Embracing and Supporting the Fraternity Experience If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time.. – Will Smith BOB STRECKER '78 Grand Chapter Advisor Photo by Will Wilson

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