Thrasher1 Andrew Thrasher Stephen Lipnicky English 10600 First year composition October 29, 2013 Fraternity As I walk

through this place, I feel as if the memories made here will always be kept in these halls. Friendships made here will never end and the symbols of these friendships remain. There are pictures on the walls, renovations made to the building, decorations, and trophies won. The colors military red and white are painted on the interior walls. The feeling of accomplishment, integrity and brotherhood is felt as you walk through its corridors. From the outside, the building looks very large and almost resembles a castle. It is built on the side of a hill and is surrounded by tall beautiful green trees. The building itself is made up of a noble colored bronze-red brick. This place is my future home, this place is Theta Chi fraternity. Along with its unique design and setting, Theta Chi itself is part of a very unique discourse community: Fraternities. Fraternities have properties that are quite unique, which sets them apart from all other groups or discourse communities. I have observed quite a few of these properties and they all seem interesting and abstract at times. The Fraternity I have observed is Theta Chi because it is where I am a pledge (which is someone who is training to become a brother or member of the Fraternity). One observation I have made is recruitment processes are taken very seriously. The reason why is the Fraternity brothers wants good men to take their place once they leave their

Thrasher2 chapter (or Fraternity house). Another observation I have made is older members have more authority over younger members. This does not seem like an official rule but rather implied. I have noticed when younger members talk or interact with older members they are more attentive than they are with their counterparts and a little more serious. Theta Chi has no different language they speak to one another, but they do all memorize the Greek alphabet. They memorize the Greek alphabet in order to identify other Fraternities or Sororities. On top of memorizing the Greek Alphabet all brothers have a knowledge of the Fraternities history. All brothers know when and where Theta Chi was founded, who the founders were, The Creed of Theta Chi and much more. One of the most important things I have noticed the Fraternity does is they find ways to build brotherhood and friendship. For example, Theta Chi participates in several Philanthropies (which are usually sporting events or some time of competition used to raise money for charity). One example of a Philanthropy that Theta Chi does is called Breastroke for Hope. During this philanthropy, Fraternities compete in a hour long relay on teams at the Purdue Aquatics center. The teams had eight people and every lap swam at the philanthropy helped raise money for Breast cancer research. This year I competed on Theta Chis team and I could tell brotherhood and friendship were being built. Our relay team helped support each other as we competed in the philanthropy. Also, over thirty of the brothers and all my pledge class brothers (these are my fellow brothers in training) came to support our team. This was a great example of brotherhood and friendship. Another example of how Theta Chi Builds Brotherhood is by having brotherhood tournaments or competitions. For example, Theta Chi has a brother

Thrasher3 Basketball tournament every fall. In order to get a brothers point of view on the fraternity, I interviewed a few members to get to know how they feel about Theta Chi. I interviewed four brothers who all have different roles in the Fraternity. Their names and roles were: Turner: the community service chair, Vale: the awards chair/assistant pledge marshal, Simpson: recruitment chair and Weingardt the public relations chair/assistant treasurer. I asked them all four questions about the fraternity: #1 Is there a specific text or language the members speak or write? #2 Can you explain the characteristics of a member of this fraternity? #3 How is this group different from any other organization you have been a part of? #4 What does this fraternity mean to you? Their answers were very helpful describing how this discourse community is unique to all others. Turner responded to the questions like so. #1 we all know how to write out the Greek alphabet, but we do not speak any special language. #2 A Theta Chi is a gentleman who is willing to help all of his fellow brothers regardless of the situation. #3 Theta chi represents a close group of individuals. Other organizations occasionally meet, but Theta Chi is always together. #4 It is a lifeline and the people here wouldnt want to be with any other people friend wise (Turner). This is how Vale responded to his questions. #1 We know the Greek alphabet, but we dont speak it. #2 We all believe in the creed of our fraternity, scholarship and lending an assisting hand. #3 Most groups have one common interest and are together for a short period of time. Theta Chi is a brotherhood where people dont necessarily have common characteristics, but all have common

Thrasher4 beliefs. Also brotherhood lasts a lifetime. #4 This group brings every aspect of school together for me. This is where all my friends are and this is my home (Vale). Simpson, the rush chair, also gave helpful answers. #1 We all know the greek alphabet and we all have our own inside jokes. #2 A member of Theta Chi is loyal, honest, approachable and sociable. #3 This fraternity has a deeper bond than any other organization. #4 This group means a family away from my family (Simpson). Finally, brother Weingardt responded. #1 We know the greek alphabet and our creed by memorization. #2 A member of this fraternity is responsible, respectful, sociable, athletic, giving and caring. #3 Bonds between members is close, there is a clear distribution of power and we are extremely organized when necessary. #4 Theta chi is part of who I am now (Weingardt). The brothers responses were great examples of why this discourse community is different from any other. In at least one of their responses you can see that each brother shows some kind of love for this group. In the activities the Fraternity does, brotherhood and friendship is built. The brothers stress over recruiting genuine new members for the Fraternity to better off its well-being. Brothers of the Fraternity are always cleaning, landscaping and making renovations to the house. Members know about the Fraternities past and Know The Creed of Theta Chi by memorization. From observation I can say that being a member of a fraternity takes a lot of dedication. I can also say the reason why this discourse community is so unique is because the brothers care so much and are so dedicated to serving it in a different way than any other group.