Recap of the 2010 Leadership Scholarship Interviews 2/26/2010
Brethren,
I participated in the scholarship interviews last Saturday at the house. So, I'm going to rattle your cages to let you know what it was like.
Activities began a 9 a.m. after a continental breakfast and a sort of a social hour. There were an impressive bunch of MOA's and high school candidates in the living room. Yes, even some of the alums were cleaned up and looking good - John Fralick, J.J. Jones, Lucas Shivers, Brian Nelson, Gary Haag, Cecil Pearce, Joseph Thomas, Tyler Turner and me.
V.D. Dolezal welcomed our guests with impressive remarks. Recruiting Chairs Litch and Neufeld gave clear instructions about the process.
There were several panels of three men, two MOA's and one or two Sr. Man. Each panel had roughly 15 minutes to interview each high school candidate. The candidates were divided into groups. The candidates rotated from panel to panel.
Each panel had a topic area on which to focus. My panel focused on "Extra-Curricular Activities." Mom Ann had an activity for small groups of the candidates as the panels conducted the interviews. Another group of candidates were taken on a tour of the house.
There were 15 high school students in attendance, with even more coming next weekend. They were from all over the state, from Wichita/Andover, Topeka/Lyndon, Shawnee Mission, Topeka, Baileyville, Washington, Stockton, and a neat kid from Sharon Springs. 1A schools to 6A schools. Each was active in his high school. These guys were not intimidated by the interview process and could articulate their activities and goals. There were musicians, athletes, and good students. They were interesting people.
After the interviews, Mike Finnegan from the Leadership School talked to the guests about what they offered. He praised our fraternity to the hilt.
We sang "Bless Now Acacia...," in harmony no less. Then we went in for lunch. We were done by 1 p.m.
My point in writing this is to let those of you know how well this event went and how interesting it was. I wish we could draw in some Sr. Men outside of the Board to participate. By participating I got to see the future of the house. It's a privilege to meet these kids. If any of you would join us, you could get some insight into why we have practically a full house.
I don't know all of the names of brothers who organized this interview session, but all of us, Board members and other Sr. Men, owe them much gratitude. It was an impressive session. I will be anxious to see how many of these candidates we get into the house.
Also, check out this YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caqRcI4WXmw:
Roger Brannan, #486
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Kansas State Chapter of Acacia Fraternity One of the four original fraternities at Kansas State in 1913, Acacia Fraternity's rich tradition includes five buildings on campus named after Acacians including Seaton, Willard, Waters, Ford and Bushnell Halls. With leadership as a main cornerstone, Acacia Fraternity at Kansas State has been recognized as a leading chapter in human service events, alumni support, and scholarship excellence. Acacia believes in providing members with an alcohol-free, family environment dedicated to lifelong improvement in leadership, scholarship and character.
Acacia Leadership Scholarship Program Introduced in January 2007, the Acacia Leadership Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding incoming male freshman of Kansas State University. Throughout its first three years, the campus-leading scholarship program has awarded more than $30,000 to young men who display excellence in academics, motivation for personal success, and an interest in studying the principles of leadership. The Acacia Leadership Scholarship is presented by the Acacia Alumni Association of Kansas through the great generosity of the Trachsel family, for which the endowment award is named, and through the involvement and assistance of K-State Acacia’s outstanding alumni base.
Contact: Lucas Shivers, Executive Secretary Acacia Alumni Association 2005 Hunting Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502 lshivers@hotmail.com
