College campuses provide its students with endless opportunities for development, growth, experience, and memories during their time as undergraduates. The University of Northern Iowa promotes its student life to prospective students as having the opportunity to have a community within the 200 plus student organizations, groups, and clubs. A degree earned as an undergraduate student is not limited to what’s learned in the classroom; rather, the academic experience is combined with how you spend the rest of your time outside of the time spent in lectures. Student organization involvement is one way to best use your time gaining experiences, networking with others, and making the most out of your time at UNI.
Sigma Phi Epsilon provides opportunities found within student organizations. During my time within the chapter, I have served on the Executive Board, helped manage the social media, sat on different committees, been a part of an Inter-Fraternity Council subcommittee to enhance the UNI fraternity experience, and other duties and responsibilities that have shaped my leadership. Everything I have done within SigEp has helped me develop as a leader and provided skills I will be able to use in my future.
People incorporate their university or alma mater almost as a part of their identity once spending time on campus. The memories they make help give that sense of identity. Whenever I think about and value my memories of being a UNI Panther, my mind immediately shifts to times spent with my friends and peers. Being in student organizations is one way those memories develop. I will forever have SigEp, NISG, Dance Marathon, and all other organizations in my “UNI story.”
While I have been involved in many, Sigma Phi Epsilon is so much more than a student organization to add to my resume and enjoy my time at UNI. Brotherhood bonds are so much more than “networking” and other friendships made during the undergraduate experience. The friends that I have made through SigEp will be the people I will strive to stay in touch with after school. The friends that are a part of the big moments throughout my life, whether it’s weddings, meeting up during family vacations, or coming back to see during UNI Homecoming. Once you graduate, involvement in student organizations ends, and you move on to the next step in life. Sigma Phi Epsilon is different. Every day for the rest of my life, I will be able to say “It’s a great day to be a SigEp.”
Meet the Author
Matthew Johnson ’19
BA in Political Science & Public Administration
Former Vice President of Member Development