Alligator Online

Throughout Alpha Epsilon Pi’s 50-year history on campus, our fraternity has served as a testing ground for college men who go on to become leaders in business, education, government and science. A goal of our fraternity is to help each student enhance character, learn responsibility and develop a proper set of values through living together as a brotherhood. AEPi takes pride in the fact that it prepares young men for their role in life as responsible, active citizens.

In a time when fraternities constantly are being portrayed in a negative light, AEPi merits media coverage for being a productive member of society. Our members work hard and are well qualified for many positions on campus. We focus on the core principles of Greek organizations: service, leadership and scholarship. This weekend, we plan to hold our second annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, which benefits The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year, we raised over $6,000 to alleviate the medical costs of a brother who had been diagnosed with leukemia.

Everything we do furthers our mission, which sets out to develop leadership for the future of the community. AEPi’s brothers are well-rounded individuals who are leaders in many aspects of campus life. Not only can you find our brothers involved in Accent, but also in intramural sports, Preview staff, Emerging Leaders Conference, Gatorship, American Medical Students Association, Florida Cicerones, Jewish Student Union, Student Opportunities in Film Studies, Greek Judicial Board, Florida Blue Key, Reitz Union Board, IDEAL, First-Year Florida and more.

In the Fall, as reported in the Alligator, AEPi had the highest grade point average of the 32 fraternities. AEPi had an average GPA of 3.428, well over the all-male average GPA at UF. Only one of the 57 Greek organizations was able to do better. Academic excellence is a long-standing tradition in our chapter and will continue to be so in the coming years.

Finally, the appointments of Student Government officials are not in our hands. As president of AEPi, I was not consulted prior to David Buchalter’s appointment as Accent chairman, nor will I be for the next chairman. You cannot hold AEPi responsible for SG’s actions. I believe Jamal Sowell has done an excellent job in providing opportunities for all students. However, once those opportunities are provided, it is the students’ obligation to take ownership for their experience here at UF.

Danny Miller is an advertising senior and president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.