The Griffon News

 Sophomore Phil Bluett is a newcomer of the Greek community. Bluett is a St. Louis native and majors in manufacturing engineering. At age 19, Bluett is fully aware of where he wants to go and where he’s been. Bluett, member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity stated “I knew I wanted to be an Alpha because my older brother introduced me to it a very young age. So all throughout middle school and high school I knew I wanted to be successful like my older brother.”

This is good considering that a lot of young men do not always have someone to look up to in a positive way. It is always good to have someone around you that can lead you to success instead of failure. This is what Bluett feels that the men of Alpha Phi Alpha have done for him.

Qualifications for becoming an Alpha on campus are a  2.5 GPA or higher, a member of at least two organizations, have done community service and you have to be a registered voter, just to name a few. Bluett “came out” the second semester of his freshman year, he said that he worked hard to get to where he is today.

 “When I became an Alpha it was hard work, very hard work. I have to manage school, the two organizations I’m in and try to have my ‘chill’ time,” Bluett said.

Bluett said that he learned how to multi task, manage time and maintain his grades. They also get you ready for job opportunities and most of all they show you a true brotherhood.These are some of the pros of being an Alpha.

Many students don’t know that when you become a Greek, it helps you after college, you can get better jobs and the fraternity itself can teach you how to deal with life problems and how to be strong.

Cons of being an Alpha are the stereotyping of party animals, “pretty boys” and some may even be called a ladies’ man,” Bluett said. “Everyone gets stereotyped you just have to learn to fight though it.”

Advice Bluett would give to future Alphas is to get involved on campus, make and keep good grades, and work hard to get to where you want to be, because knowledge is power, so go get some.