A Whirlwind Adventure

The "Wolf Pack" (2 years ago!)

Starting Gamma’s Drake chapter has been a whirlwind. There were many highs and lows and countless sleepless nights. It all started towards the end of my freshman year. I heard about the organization through a friend, so was handed an opportunity that I had no idea how far it would take me. I told a few others about this opportunity, and just for fun, we called ourselves the “wolf pack.” The wolf pack had many challenges bringing Gamma back to Drake’s campus, but the faith in the Wolf Pack never strayed; we just had to work harder to prove that Drake could greatly benefit from GIS. It took 10 months to get everything set up before we had our first recruitment class. I still remember the call I had with Noelle from Gamma Nationals over two years ago. She told me that it was going to be a long road ahead of me but all I could focus on was how much it was going to change a student’s Drake experience and how many people’s lives it would effect. After leading the re-chartering process and being president for one year, I was recently elected to serve as one of two International Student Representatives. My favorite part about being an ISR is not furthering Gamma as a whole, but working with chapter leaders individually and helping chapters live up to their full potential.

Our chapter has come a long way and I owe it all to the help and support of my close friends and family. Being a part of GIS has helped me realize that my passion is working with college students. I want to work in student affairs after I graduate. I made countless friends through the Drake chapter and the numerous leadership and international conferences I have attended. My relationship with them extends beyond Gamma, and that is something I am eternally grateful for. Being given this opportunity has changed me into who I am today and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Zach Vasseur

#GammaIS Having a Blast at the International Conference

Elizabeth and her friend Brittany at the International Conference

I could not wait to get to Dallas, TX for Gamma's 3-day International Conference. Excited to see old friends, meet new friends, present for the Bower’s Awards, and to bond as a chapter. First thing when we arrived at the hotel on Thursday, I saw my friends Brittany from St. John’s University and Andrew from Olivet College.  From that moment, I knew the weekend was going to awesome!

Thursday, the first night, was a chance to see old friends and to meet new friends. At the opening banquet, I got to hear about what other Gamma chapters are doing, and got to chat about school and our future career paths. It is amazing to hear that many of the people I met the previous year have job offers for the next year or have interviews at the conference with their dream companies. Once the banquet was over it was time to practice and prepare for the Bower’s Award presentation. It was a long night, but in the end, we felt like we had truly captured why Gamma was so important to us and how Gamma had changed not only our lives but also the lives of everyone in our chapter!

Friday morning rolled around and we started our day off with breakfast and a seminar while looking forward to Bower's Award Presentations. Even though we were completing against three other chapters, it did not feel like a competition because we were competing with friends and people that had supported each other along the way. In the end, we found out that we had not won the award. As I sat and listened to our chapter win many awards Friday night I still knew that we had accomplished so much. Though at the time it starting our chapter seemed like dream, all of us together as a chapter accomplished the goal to be a Superior Chapter. I could not have been more proud that night of the entire Chi chapter!

The Chi Chapter contingency at the International Conference

Saturday my pride for the Chi chapter continued as I watched Mike, Emily, and Chipo present during the break session and as they helped many new or small chapters work on building their chapters up. We also won a Black and Gold award for Compliment’s Week thanks to Larry’s ideas. My conference experience concluded with the AT&T Stadium visit. It was a blast getting to hang out with everyone and was a reminder of how Gamma is one big family! 

I loved every minute of the conference. I am so happy that I had the chance to help bring Gamma back to Drake’s campus to share all the amazing opportunities that it holds. I hope that in the future I can attend the International Conference again as an alumnus!

Fraternally Yours,

Elizabeth Cokel