The American college Fraternity is one of the few institutions on our higher educational structure which was invented by us and not borrowed from European models. Not surprisingly, it has been a symbol of American college student independence, pride, and leadership.

Fraternity men represent about 2% of the male population of America. What is happening to that 2%? They are leading this nation! Approximately 80% of the executives of the 500 largest corporations in America are fraternity men. More than three fourths of our U.S. Senators are fraternity men, as are a majority of the men listed in Who's Who in America. Of the sixteen U.S. Presidents who had a chance to join a College Fraternity, thirteen took advantage of the opportunity. So many College Presidents have been fraternity members that the total would run into the thousands.

How and why are fraternities able to produce such a large percentage of our nation's leaders? The easiest way to answer this question is to examine just what happens in a Fraternity.

A college fraternity provides a young man with the opportunity to learn how to work together with people, whether it be for the highest grades, the best homecoming float, a community service project, or merely to keep the house clean. A fraternity provides a unique combination: family, home away from home, social organziation, business and organization in which students can develop confidence as they acquire competence. The opportunities for leadership are unlimited and the most important thing is that the principles of leadership are learned through experience.

This experience teaches Fraternity men that success is not automatic, but rather, that knowledge and performance are what count most. A Fraternity man learns how to develop sensitivity regarding the desires, goals, and aspirations of others; how to communicate, how to inspire, how to motivate; the importance of setting an example; how to delegate responsibility; and how to accept failure as well as success and glory. He learns that a true leader must have the courage to stand up for his beliefs, while also being attentive, interested, and responsive to those who may disagree.

Too many students come to college, sign up for classes, study from test to test memorizing material and feeding it back at test time. They may get good grades and graduate, but it is surprising how many college graduates are wandering around looking for jobs because they did not develop the ability to work with people or the basic qualities of leadership while they were in college. The qualities of leadership must be tested and developed by each person and a fraternity provides the opportunity for students for just that. This is how 2% can equal 80%.