04 Oct Lambda Lore: Matthew Wright
Introducing Lambda Lore, our new interview series where we spotlight notable alumni and active brothers of Lambda Phi Epsilon and explore how their fraternity experiences have shaped their lives both personally and professionally. Each month, we’ll bring you inspiring stories of leadership, brotherhood, and lasting impact.
First up is Matthew Wright from the Beta Eta Chapter at North Carolina State University. Crossing in Spring 2017, Matthew’s journey with the fraternity is one of leadership and legacy. As performance chair, he led his chapter to victory in their first-ever stroll-off competition, leaving behind a lasting impact with the routines he crafted. Beyond the stage, Greek life connected him with lifelong friendships, valuable mentors, and professional opportunities. His advice to aspiring members: know why you’re here, take ownership of your journey, and make every step count. Read the full interview below:
Can you tell us about your experience in your fraternity during college? What were some of the highlights and challenges?
I crossed SP17 at NC State. At the time I was a junior in undergrad so one of the biggest challenges was the fact that I had less time as an active. With this shortened active status I had to do as much possible with the time that I had and make the most of the opportunities presented to me.
A highlight for myself as an active was in Fall 2017 when the NC State chapter competed in our first stroll off and won the competition. I was a performance chair and put together the strolls and steps. My experience teaching choreography allowed brothers who didn’t have experience dancing, get comfortable with the different moves involved. One of the legacies that I feel that I was able to leave behind for the chapter was the strolls that were created.
How do you think being a part of Greek life contributed to your personal and professional development during college?
Personally, Greek life fostered new friendships who were all brothers in the fraternity. Typically for a lot of individuals I would say our paths wouldn’t have crossed if it wasn’t for the unifying aspect of joining Lambdas.
Professionally, Greek life allowed me to meet mentors that would be able to provide financial and career advice. It is an easy ice breaker in a room of strangers when you have the common bond of the fraternity and puts you in advantage because there is a similar basis of experience to refer to.
What specific skills or values do you feel you gained from your involvement with the fraternity?
Lambdas taught me a lot of mentorship skills through picking up littles, chartering a chapter and teaching the younger brothers lessons. Naturally this put me in the position to mentor people and gain valuable leadership experience. Joining Lambdas really allowed me to focus on those skills at a younger age as opposed to waiting until post-grad to be exposed through a leadership position.
In what ways did your fraternity help you build a network of connections both during and after college?
International convention allowed myself to meet brothers from other chapters all over the country. Convention is the one time that you will be able to meet other brothers that live across the country and connect with someone that you wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. Post-grad, when I decided to join the International board, it was like joining another chapter where there is a diverse mix of brothers and allows everyone to function as a business.
How has being a member of your fraternity influenced your career path or choices post-graduation?
I have been considering moving out of state for a job. One of the benefits of joining Lambdas is knowing that regardless of where you end up, there is a good chance that you will be able to come across brothers and join a community.
Can you share any experiences or lessons learned from your involvement in Greek life that have been particularly valuable?
LFE showed me that the lessons being taught to the new potential brothers joining the fraternity actually really matter because it helps shape the rest of their Lambda career. This was evident when I chartered the University of Tennessee and UNC Charlotte chapters. A lot of the younger brothers still reach out to me and let me know how impactful the role I played in their process.
Reflecting on your time in your fraternity, what advice would you give to current college students considering joining Greek life?
I definitely advise anyone interested in joining the fraternity to do the proper research so you know what you are getting yourself into. There is so much to learn about Greek life in general and when you understand what you are getting involved with, that makes the experience more impactful.
Another piece of advice that I would provide is that you have to find ownership of your process. It’s easy to just do as you’re told but whenever I was educating my kids I told them that I wanted them to find their own personal meaning. It is always important to consider the “Why are you here?” since it makes you more invested in what you are doing. Lambdas is an amazing organization but it has to matter to the people that are in it. You have to really believe in what you are doing and find people that care to carry out the actions to make that lasting impact.
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About Lambda Phi Epsilon
Founded in 1981 at Los Angeles, California, Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc. has grown to become the world’s largest Asian-interest fraternity. Lambda Phi Epsilon (ΛΦΕ, also known as LFE) aims to guide men on a lifelong discovery of authenticity and personal growth. To learn more, visit https://lambdaphiepsilon.com.
Lambda Phi Epsilon Contact
Zac Antonius, Executive Director
Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc.
zac.antonius@lphie.org
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