FarmHouse - University of Nebraska

NEBRASKA CHAPTER 3 WELCOME TO THE BROTHERHOOD Fall 2020 New Members Nathan Anderson* | Hastings, Neb. Jacob Brouillette* | Hastings, Neb. Jace Connell | Arnold, Neb. Jaden Dannehl | Bertrand, Neb. Porter Discoe* | Columbus, Neb. Henry Drvol* | Bennington, Neb. Josh Eshleman | Hershey, Neb. Micah Gengenbach* | Hastings, Neb. Sidney Gruwell | Wilcox, Neb. Jacob Hoffmann* | Plainview, Neb. Nick Hutsell | Aurora, Neb. Brady Jackson | Norfolk, Neb. Brighton Kollipara | Lincoln, Neb. Cam Lancaster* | Hastings, Neb. Finn Lucas | North Platte, Neb. Ryan Mahalek | Kearney, Neb. Jon Matulka | Wahoo, Neb. Nick McElroy | Lincoln, Neb. Jade Paxton | Sutherland, Neb. Luke Penner* | Chicago, Ill. Luke Roberts | McCook, Neb. Kyle Sextro | Grand Island, Neb. Sean Sindt* | Omaha, Neb. Cole Stokebrand | Amherst, Neb. Connor Story | Hastings, Neb. Caden Stutzman | Roca, Neb. Colton Thomsen | Oakland, Neb. *Legacy T hroughout his senior year of high school, all that Steven Mills '02 heard from his friend Steve Wirth '01 at UNL was how much fun he had with the brothers of FarmHouse. "I never would have imagined being in a fraternity if it weren't for his inability to shut up about how awesome FarmHouse was," Steven recalls. After a visit to the chapter house during state basketball, followed by senior recruitment, he realized those brothers could help him become a better man. By Steven's junior year, he could tell that he had indeed grown as a leader on campus, an outgoing brother, and an excellent student; he was even recognized as FarmHouse National Community Service Man of the Year. However, he realized the fraternity's spiritual pillar was lacking in his life, despite his status as a Catholic in name. Around that time, a friend and brother asked Steven to be his sponsor into the Catholic faith, which ultimately inspired him to join the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). After college, Steven served as a FOCUS missionary at the Air Force Academy, where he felt the call to priesthood; he was ordained on May 25, 2013. Recently in his priesthood, Steven has served as the assistant chaplain for St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Newman Center at UNL. "Working with college students has been an incredible gift to my priesthood—especially hosting FarmHouse men for some cigar and game nights, and discussing life and what it means to be a man." From helping roughly 100 students find their faith to helping countless more with mental health and addiction struggles, Steven is thankful for the work he is able to do in Lincoln. He is also proud to see that the active chapter arguably takes the spiritual pillar even more seriously than in his days. "And they still play basketball with the best of them!" Brothers from Steven's years in FarmHouse may also remember him as none other than Herbie Husker! That, too, was thanks to the brotherhood; a fellow brother was Lil' Red at the time, and his girlfriend convinced Steven to try out. "It was not something I had ever considered, but once I put that sweaty suit on it was incredibly fun," Steven said. "I ooze Husker Spirit, and being on the 50-yard line during the tunnel walk doing the worm or jumping around was a thrill." This, too, influenced Steven's path to priesthood, as a fellow mascot encouraged him to apply to FOCUS. Steven feels that we all wear a mascot suit in our daily lives. "We put on this outward shell, and usually it's pretty authentic. But we also carry a hidden side with all the good and bad that has happened to us in life." Steven's time with FarmHouse was instrumental in his ability to enter into the most delicate moments of a person's life and help them feel at peace. Steven finished his work at UNL in June and is now assigned to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he will attend graduate school in education administration and serve as a graduate assistant chaplain. In his free time, Steven enjoys watching and playing sports, reading, and exploring the outdoors. He can be reached at smills_23@hotmail.com. LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST How FarmHouse Inspired Fr. Steven Mills in His Faith and Career

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