Senusret I's Recruitment Story

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I suppose so but that's not the point. In keeping with the thread, it's more fun and engaging. Only those outside of the NPHC realm would not know the organizations he's referring to. It's about the mystique, not the mystery.

It kinda is the point. Everyone knows now because you responded. If you'd wanted to keep the mystique, just uncheck the 'show signature' option when you post.

[Senusret I]

I was looking for Brotherhood.

I looked at the five NPHC fraternities to find that Brotherhood.

For each fraternity, I used a four part rubric for determining the one I would pursue once and for all. Once I decided on that fraternity, I would pursue it full force. If I was not selected, I would have been content to not be an NPHC fraternity man at all.

The things that were important to me had everything to do with brotherhood:

A history that resonated in my spirit....something that I could claim as part of MY history. Only Brian Pumper and Mr. Marcus did this.

A roster of alumni whom I aspired to be like..... brotherhood that transcends occupation or generation. Only Brian Pumper and Mr. Marcus did this.

National programs that reflected my own values accurately. I didn't plan on doing service for the sake of service, but service and social action because I wholeheartedly believed in what the organization believed in. Only Brian Pumper did this.

And most importantly, the current members had to be men that I liked to be around. Period. Only Brian Pumper and Mandingo did this.

Brian Pumper was the ONLY fraternity that filled all my needs.

Now, putting that to the side, here are all my OTHER reasons that Brian Pumper made the best fit.

I would have been blazing a trail in my family -- I would be the FIRST Brian Pumper in a very pan hellenic family.

My mother was the queen of the Brian Pumper sweetheart court in college.

The only high school teachers who remained in contact with me after college were Brian Pumpers.

I lived with a Brian Pumper who respected me exactly as I was. In fact, every Brian Pumper I ever met was a perfect gentleman. There was never any flip-flopping member who had one persona during the day and another at night.

They embraced diversity. Remember the white Brian Pumper I met freshman year?

I never had to "justify" their actions because they were always on point.

I obviously was not one of those people who KNEW he would be a Brian Pumper. I was blessed with a family who would support me know matter what and friends who only wanted me to be happy.

So.... six years after initially expressing interest in pledging an NPHC fraternity, I finally became a member -- via an alumni chapter --

of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

And I haven't looked back since.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

What University do you attend?

St. Wilona's University is a fictitious jesuit school in a major metropolitan area.

Originally Posted by sailboatgirl

Not only a boy's story...but we get to hear more about an NPHC journey to membership which should be very educational (at least for me!). So, YEAH for more retro recruitment stories!

Just an FYI..... NPHC stories can and are VASTLY different. I, for one, am pretty honest about the fact that I looked at several organizations, thought I would join one, changed my mind, and five years later found my home. Other people knew they's "always be a...." whatever.

Originally Posted by 12dn94dst

there is something WRONG with YOU!! LOL

Yes..... seriously wrong. lol

Originally Posted by BetteDavisEyes

Mr. Marcus! Nothing like a big black stud to liven up a recruitment thread.

Yes.... and I would be that big black stud no matter which one I pledged.

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

Did you know that "Lexington Steele" was a member of Omega Psi Phi? It says so on Wikipedia so it must be true.

Actually, he really is an Omega -- I've read an interview where he mentions it.

Originally Posted by Lil' Hannah

I'm rooting for Wesley Pipes!

And please believe that Wesley Pipes was rooting for me.... and still is, LOL

Originally Posted by ladylike

I heard that the body of work for these "organizations" are amazing. Yeah, that's what I heard.

I'm loving the story, Senusret! Could you tell me if St. Wilona is the sister school to St. Thelma, St. Florida and St. Penny?

Yes! They are in the Diocese of Cabrini Green, lol

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

Now, THIS is a recruitment story. Go Rashid go!

I'm going!

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Isn't that always the case with those MANDINGOS?

Every time... always.

Originally Posted by neosoul

where's Wesley Pipes? he hasn't touched you yet has he, Rashid?

Real talk, to this day I haven't been touched by a Wesley Pipes.

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

Rashid, I think you're one of my favorite story tellers!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG

i <3 you! this story is the best

I heart you too

Originally Posted by centaur532

I have to know...did any of the fraternities Hot Box you Rashid?

Don't ask.... don't tell.... tee hee

Originally Posted by Wolfman

You're a true raconteur! Are you going to start channeling E. Lynn now...

Please..... Brother E. Lynn channels ME.

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide4

I've read a lot of great threads on GC, but this one is the best to date.

That means so much coming from you

Originally Posted by Wolfman

As a die hard 27-year member of Mr. Marcus who doesn't fit the so-called stereotype, I think I understand where you are coming from but with a superficial view you will miss the beauty of Mr. Marcus. Mr. Marcus exemplifies what a college fraternity should be about:a real, robust brotherhood where the values and bonds of fraternity are sacred. You have to have depth and passion. It's not for the self-inflated, faux elitist or social butterfly. It's for real men--I say this as an occasional loving critic of the goings on in Mr. Marcus. Once a Founder of Mr. Marcus said of Brian Pumper,' it's not a fraternity;it's a social club.' But alas, there is a fraternity for everyone's tastes. Be the best BP you can be!

My view wasn't superficial. As Mr. Marcus was something I was PROFOUNDLY interested in at one point, I went beyond the surface. When Mr. Marcuses weren't holding it down, I was making excuses for them in my mind. When the public persona didn't match up with what they were about historically, I tried to believe in the duality of Mr. Marcus members.... but that just wasn't the kind of culture I wanted to be part of.

And indeed, while not one of your founders, I could EASILY call Mr. Marcus a social club and not a fraternity based on MY experiences.

In the end, I got in where I was supposed to be.

Originally Posted by 33girl

Wolfman, I think part of what Senusret was saying is that the members of Mr. Marcus he met just didn't hammer away hard enough at what the traditions of the fraternity were about. I'm sure there are Mr. Marcuses out there that have no problem driving the point home!

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Understood. I respect Senusret's experience and enjoy his storytelling, which I like very much. In some ways I identify with him; before I pledged Mr. Marcus, the only things I heard about Mr. Marcus was negative. To the outsider I don't fit the "stereotype" of Mr. Marcus but that's where I belong. I grew as a man out of my engagement with the ethos of Mr. Marcus, not because they necessarily mirrored my personality but because of the ideals and the quality of brotherhood exhibited.It's very challenging;it's not for everyone. An analogy: if Brian Pumper is the US Army,Mr. Marcus is the French Foreign Legion.

From what he's shared on GC and in this thread, he's where he should be. What he values is in concert with Brian Pumper. There is an ideological divide between Mr. Marcus and Brian Pumper which is grounded in history, which I commented on. It has nothing to do with the stereotype Senusret refers to about Mr. Marcus or the contemporary nasty one about Brian Pumper.

While I'm with you on some of your points, I don't agree that there is an ideological divide.

[SoEnchanting]

Senusret, that was a great story! You get MUCH respect for putting so much time and thought into your decision. Mr. Pumper was very fortunate to have gotten a brother like you.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by SoEnchanting

Senusret, that was a great story! You get MUCH respect for putting so much time and thought into your decision. Mr. Pumper was very fortunate to have gotten a brother like you.

Thank you!

[Dionysus]

How come I've been reading Wesley Pipes as Wesley Snipes?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

How come I've been reading Wesley Pipes as Wesley Snipes?

I think that's the whole point of his name.

[Lil' Hannah]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

How come I've been reading Wesley Pipes as Wesley Snipes?

Girl get your mind in the gutter.

[tld221]

awwwwwwww i have tears in my eyes! (well maybe cause of allergies...) that was such a great story.

i definitely liked that you can comfortably say you were interested in other orgs before you had your mind made up. some NPHC greeks are not so forthcoming. i mean, while i DO believe there are those "i've always wanted to be an XYZ" and believe that, i think it's just as OK to say "i was really interested in XYZ and then saw it wasn't what was for me and i'm glad i am an ABC."

saves the other org(s) a half-@ssed member for the future you know?

[sigtau305]

great thread, Rashid

[ljkelly]

Originally Posted by tld221

i definitely liked that you can comfortably say you were interested in other orgs before you had your mind made up. some NPHC greeks are not so forthcoming. i mean, while i DO believe there are those "i've always wanted to be an XYZ" and believe that, i think it's just as OK to say "i was really interested in XYZ and then saw it wasn't what was for me and i'm glad i am an ABC."

saves the other org(s) a half-@ssed member for the future you know?

Agreed.

I loved this post, it was honest and entertaining. Job well done.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

St. Wilona's University is a fictitious jesuit .My view wasn't superficial. As Mr. Marcus was something I was PROFOUNDLY interested in at one point, I went beyond the surface. When Mr. Marcuses weren't holding it down, I was making excuses for them in my mind. When the public persona didn't match up with what they were about historically, I tried to believe in the duality of Mr. Marcus members.... but that just wasn't the kind of culture I wanted to be part of.

And indeed, while not one of your founders, I could EASILY call Mr. Marcus a social club and not a fraternity based on MY experiences.

In the end, I got in where I was supposed to be.

I'm a bigger internal critic of my own than you are, believe me! But there's something I've learned about my own: humility. That's a basic Christian sensibility that I've seen, although it may sound strange. You cannot come off being self-righteous and priggish. You will be humbled! And some whom you may not like or disagree with have hearts of gold. Look, I don't care which group you belong to you will have "mess." You choose the kind that suits you best. I'd rather be where there's heart, enthusiasm and robust brotherhood.









While I'm with you on some of your points, I don't agree that there is an ideological divide.

You don't know your history then. Now it's not a real issue but in 1911 it was. In 1911 the Founders of Omega were summoned to have a private meeting with then President Thirkield after they had run afoul of the administration by announcing themselves as a fraternity on campus before they were officially recognized by placing placards all over Howard's campus. In that meeting President Thirkield asked them why they didn't join the fraternity already on campus (Beta Chapter of APHIA). They registered their objections with him. At that time one of the Founders related to him the quip about social clubs vs. fraternities. In his later years one of the Founders said that he and another Founder were approached by the members of APHIA when they were students at Howard. He said they "turned them down flat." They had very different understanding about what a fraternity should be. (My understanding is that APHIA did originate as a social/study club and later morphed into a fraternity,in which all members didn't agree with this transformation. Correct me if I'm wrong!)

[PhenomenalZTA]

I know it's been brought up a time or two already, but I just had to emphasize.... THIS THREAD RULES!

[jojapeach]

We love you, Rashid!!! It was the best. EVER!

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by PhenomenalZTA

I know it's been brought up a time or two already, but I just had to emphasize.... THIS THREAD RULES!

Originally Posted by jojapeach

We love you, Rashid!!! It was the best. EVER!

Thank you!