Alpha Delta Phi - University of Michigan

2 | the peninsular "As a freshman, I had no intention to join a fraternity," Jason Sparks '02 confesses. "I had some preconceived stereotypes, but I discovered Alpha Delta Phi was unlike other groups." Jason felt immediately welcomed and appreciated. "I really liked the diversity of guys in the house—the different states they came from, their ethnicities, varying interests, and diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds." Jason's choice to pledge Alpha Delta Phi has proven to be one of the most influential he's ever made. "The connections I made and values I learned in the house have stayed with me," he says. "The fraternity has continued to pay dividends throughout my life." After initiation, Jason began looking for ways to support the brotherhood. "I kept getting more from the chapter the more I got involved. It was important to me to give back." During his Alpha Delta Phi career on campus, he held the offices of chapter president, social chairman, pledge master, and steward, along with serving on the University of Michigan's Interfraternity Council (IFC). His primary source of pride in the chapter rests in the strength of the Alpha Delta Phi legacy. "The commitment to our brotherhood goes back decades before many of us were alive," he says. "There have been pivotal points in our chapter's history when its livelihood and survival were in severe jeopardy. But in every one of those moments, alumni have always stepped up to ensure the house survives." The most meaningful example for Jason was the generosity displayed during the most recent capital campaign. "We were fundraising to renovate the house and alumni came forward in an amazing fashion to support the effort." According to Jason, the key to a healthy chapter is tapping into its most valuable resource— dedicated volunteers and passionate donors. "The most important thing is keeping alumni and active brothers engaged and committed to the chapter's success. It takes extra time to find what makes each person excited about the chapter. That could be planning events, offering networking opportunities, facilitating conversations between brothers, or funding structural updates to the house." Jason's favorite memories in the house were low-key in nature. "The big brotherhood events were awesome, but I have a special appreciation for those laid-back moments: talking with guys on the balcony, playing a game of cards in the dining room, or just hanging out in someone's room playing video games." When it comes to alumni involvement, Jason has put his money where his mouth is; he served as alumni president for eight years. "My big project was to raise money to completely renovate the house," he recalls. "It was a massive project, and we had many alumni help in different areas, which is what made us capable of completing that process." The house now stands as a physical testament to Jason's hard work and the enduring loyalty of Alpha Delta Phi's alumni. "I'm proud to say it's the best house on campus." Alpha Delta Phi has remained true to the values and goals that once drew Jason to the chapter. "I've spoken to recent pledges, and the guys are coming here because they want something different," he shares. "They want to be a part of something more than just a typical party place. They are looking for a meaningful experience, which Alpha Delta Phi clearly provides." Jason and his wife live in St. Charles, Illinois, where he works as the Global Head of Communications at Syngenta, a global agriculture company. They have three children, ages 7, 5, and 3. The family's favorite activities involve traveling and getting outside, whether it's in the backyard, on a hiking trail, or at a playground. If you'd like to connect with Jason, you can send him an email at esparks56@yahoo.com. Jason Sparks '02 Talks Legacy, Loyalty, and Staying Involved Keeping the Fire Alive Noah Dujovny '26* Grand Rapids, Mich. (Nadav Dujovny '94) Alex Futter '26 Midland, Mich. Marley Gonzales '26 Grand Rapids, Mich. Andres Jimenez '25 Chicago, Ill. Conan Miki '26 Ann Arbor, Mich. Krtim Shah '26 Allendale, N.J. Ilan Shelest '26 Chicago, Ill. Alexander Stark '26 Fredericksburg, Va. Julian Villaneuva '25 Chicago, Ill. *Legacy; relation in parentheses Welcome, New Members! The chapter experiences an incredible brotherhood turnout for the 2023 initiation ceremony. Newest members are in front (from left): Alexander Stark '26, Conan Miki '26, Alex Futter '26, Andy Jimenez '25, Marley Gonzales '26, Krtim Shah '26, Noah Dujovny '26, Julian Villaneuva '25, and Ilan Shelest '26.

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