Return of Greeks to PSU is a Good Thing: Letter to the Editor

COURTESY PHOTO MIKE MOFFETT

MTSND!

“May the Spirit Never Die!”

That’s the motto of my Plymouth State fraternity—Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Phi. Over 40 years removed from my Plymouth days, I remain in regular contact with many of my Kappa brothers. Our network was—and is—robust. We’ve helped each other get jobs and advance careers. We’ve often returned to Plymouth to support our alma mater. We’ve enjoyed numerous weddings and celebrated many births. We’ve also pulled together to support each other during sad times.

My undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Plymouth. I was twice elected to the Plymouth State Alumni Board. I’ve taught Plymouth State classes and spent seven years as PSU Sports Information Director. I heard about that job from my SID predecessor—also a Kappa brother. As per above, I’ve also helped brothers get jobs.

As a Plymouth undergrad I was captain of the basketball team and a student senator, among other things. I was attracted to Kappa Delta Phi because the organization included many athletes and student leaders who were also serious students. And yes, Kappa guys seemed to connect with the prettiest girls.

Becoming a member was not easy. The pledging process in those days was challenging in many ways, involving what today would be considered hazing. But I learned far more from pledging than from any class, sports experience, or other student activity.

I learned about teamwork, time management, dealing with stress, and the importance of stamina. Later, as a fraternity officer, I learned about management and budgets while developing communication and leadership skills. Fraternity life was a wonderful laboratory experience. Far more than anything else it prepared me to succeed in life—as a teacher, professor, writer, school board member and eventually as a New Hampshire State Representative.