60 Year Old Pledge at Washington State
 

Check out this link - http://www.dailyevergreen.com/nn4/ne...24&StoryPage=1

I think this is really special. These young men have been able to break the age barrier and have an opportunity to see college life from another perspective!

I'm sort of having mixed reactions to this article.

On one hand, I think it's great that this man is going back to school and is making the most of he opportunities that are present. He's paying the same tuition as everyone else, so why not get involved on campus?

On the other hand, it seems like it would be really awkward. I don't know if I'd want everyone pointing me out and giving me a nickname because of my age. I also think it would be rather awkward going drinking with someone old enough to be my grandfather.

I just don't know. What is a good way to react? I'm happy that his fellow classmates are supportive; I don't know if I could be.

Blue is just a few years older than me, and I can't really imagine "pledging" at his age -- but if it's fun for him, what the hell.

I'd be rather aggrivated that they were calling me blue if I were him..
the movie was great, but i wouldnt want to be recognized as the old dude..but i guess that is what he wants or he wouldnt have pledged? Duno, but its cool either way i suppose.

I think this is fantastic. Age ain't nothin' but a number. I bet that this pledge class is going to have the most fun of any group on that campus.

As long as Blue doesn't die of a heart attack while wrestling two topless chicks in a kiddie pool of K-Y. That would be bad.

IVYSPICE, thank you for pointing oput the age factor! BFD!:)

For your information all of you young tykes in GC land, there are a lot of Alums out here who are still contributing to OUR CHAPTERS and Organizations.:cool:

Like DA, I am older than this New Brother of a Fine Greek Org. How old are your advisors? Do they interact with your Chapter? Do they TRY to give proper Advice? Do You Listen?

This is a two fold situation, The Chapter helping a Man, and a Man helping The Chapter!:cool:

Isnt this what being a Greek is all about?:)

Naysayers, look into your selves!:(

Let me rethink my previous post.

This is soooo funny! :p :D

That's cool and I hope they all learn from this experience.

dude, i wish i went to washington state

I do go to Washington State, and I know Blue personally (I posted about this earlier this summer, but he just recently got the whole article). He is a very sweet guy, and he was already here before he pledged. I think that it's done wonders for Phi Kaps having him there. Last year, I know that they didn't get any guys through formal, and everyone thought that their house was ready to close. This year, they got 8 new guys through formal, including a personal friend of mine, and they are already looking at other guys. I think that this is one of the most positive things, PR wise that they've had in a while.

And I'm pretty sure that they are going to be doing jello wrestling this semester, in honor of Blue. :D

PKS @ WSU
 

Just wanted to add something in to this thread.. I spent a weekend working with the Phi Kap Chapter at WSU over the summer, helping them get prepared for fall formal recruitment while I was working for PKS HQ.

I'm thrilled to say that not only did they get 8 stellar men through formal recruitment, but they signed 5 great men over the summer as well, for a total of 13! That may not be a big number to some of you at bigger Greek systems, but it's a big step in the right direction for this Chapter. I'm excited for them, because they're definitely on the upswing -- I can't wait to see where they go from here.

And as far as the 59-year-old pledge is concerned, one of the undergraduates in the Chapter put it best "We don't care about Blue's age... he represents our Seven Core Values well, and that's all that matters to us."

By the way.. NBC called the PKS HQ the other day, and informed us that they will be doing a segment on The Today Show next week about Blue, live from the WSU campus! The Chapter has been getting positive press in the school paper, interviews on the campus radio station, and now national coverage for this. I couldn't be happier for my guys out there at WSU!

I say good for him. Personally I really think age is just a number that makes someone think we should be acting a certain way. You know the stereotype 18 year olds should party etc, 30 year olds should be settling down, 50/60 year olds should retire and play grandparents. But when you think about it don't you know some 18 years that have already settled down and see on the right track, 30 year olds that party, and some 50/60 year olds still raising young teens. In this day and time age doesn't matter as much as it may have played a part in society before.

that's my two cents.

I would agree with those who said that age doesn't matter, our current advisor went active with a pledge/new member who was 48! So who is to say what is to old!

Re: PKS @ WSU
 

I think that's fabulous. :D Congrats to the chapter for the positive PR. We all know how rare that is among Greeks. ;)

I think it's hot

As a WAZZU alum...I have to say this is great! :)

He has a better nick name than I do.

I think it's great. If "Blue" is happy and the chapter is happy, then that's all that matters.

Definately Cool.

Now, would the ? be for some Media event people to come in and tell this as a Human Intrest Story be a + for Greeks?

It was a two fold street, They Helped Him, and Guess What , He helped Then! Kind of Like a House Dad! Wiser but down on Luck!:)

They helped each other!:cool:

I still put out KUDDOS and Huzzas to those Brothers Of PK!

I ain't mad at him!
 

I say to the 60 year old pledge:
YOU GO BOY!
Hell I wish I had half the courage he did. I admire him.
This coming from a person with a stiletto heel wearing 85 year old grandma! :D

I read this article and I am happy for him...

I also got a little miffed over women who get cut for being juniors, sophs, etc....

This man is 60, a junior, and still considered a viable member, and he is...

I don't get the whole cutting a woman based on her year in school...

Good for you, "Blue"...

I wish sororities did the same!

I hate to think that a sorority wouldn't pledge a 60 year old woman :(

sigmagrrl -- fraternities do not work under a quota/total system. This particular chapter was very low in numbers. A sorority has to look at their membership pyramid - more freshmen, fewer sophomores, even fewer junior and the lowest number of seniors or they will find themselves in numbers trouble. In addition, some groups have an age limit. The sorority chapter I used to advise once pledged a 35 year old married woman from Turkey. She had gone back to college and her husband (a Lambda Chi) wanted her to experience every aspect of college life. She was only there for a year before she graduated but she was a real asset to the chapter. If this chapter had been at total, they could not have afforded to do that. I understand what you are saying but, unfortunately, we have to look at things such as that.