Today marks the first day of Welcome Week here at Illinois Tech. These next couple days mean a lot here on campus. The day will start with various orientation sessions to get the students involved with the University and will lead to an activity called Playfair which is basically a two hour long icebreaker (one of my favorite activities all year). Tomorrow will highlight various fun activities around campus including a bean bags tournament hosted by Greek Council as well as a frolf (frisbee golf) tournament. Fun fact, IIT has the largest frisbee golf course in Chicago! In addition, our students are receiving tickets to attend the White Sox game tomorrow at 7:00 and then spend a relaxing night in the BOG afterward.
Friday's big event will be the Taste of the Quad where all our different Greek Chapters get a chance to prepare something delicious and give out free samples to anyone who just happens to walk by. The food usually includes sweet corn, roasted pig, peanut butter chicken, ice cream, snow cones, etc etc.
I love this time of the year because it is such a great opportunity to get involved on campus and learn that attending College is more than just getting a degree.
Life goes pretty fast, if you don't stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it.
-Ferris Bueller-
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
An attitude adjustment
This last week in PA has helped me learn so much, not only about Greek life, but about what life in general. One of the biggest things that I walked away with was the understanding that situations are situations, they will be what they will be and unfortunately, we have very little control over them. What we do control however, is the outcome of these situations. Dr. Bruce Fisher told us last semester in a presentation hosted by the Leadership Academy, that other people do not make you angry, you make you angry, other people are just the catalyst for the emotion.
You are in control of everything that you do.
Your attitude towards situations (whether it be life, work, relationships, etc) effects their outcome. If you walk into a scenario thinking negatively about it, guess what, you will have a negative experience (general statements, of course some exceptions exist). However if you walk into the same situation with a positive outlook, more than likely, you will experience something positive.
Emotions are contagious, how will you leave your impact?
I want to leave you all with one final note. I came across a video this past week that changed the way that I look at life and how I interact in it on a deep level. The video is called the Golden Circles and it is a TED talk by a man named Simon Sinek. My words would only fall short to describe the impact that this video has (and hopefully will) has on my life so I have included a link here.
People don't buy what you do, people buy why you do it.
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
You are in control of everything that you do.
Your attitude towards situations (whether it be life, work, relationships, etc) effects their outcome. If you walk into a scenario thinking negatively about it, guess what, you will have a negative experience (general statements, of course some exceptions exist). However if you walk into the same situation with a positive outlook, more than likely, you will experience something positive.
Emotions are contagious, how will you leave your impact?
I want to leave you all with one final note. I came across a video this past week that changed the way that I look at life and how I interact in it on a deep level. The video is called the Golden Circles and it is a TED talk by a man named Simon Sinek. My words would only fall short to describe the impact that this video has (and hopefully will) has on my life so I have included a link here.
People don't buy what you do, people buy why you do it.
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Trip to National Headquarters!
The day is July 13th 2011, the Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity is starting training for its Undergraduate Ambassadors, and I am lucky enough to be included as one of them. I leave tomorrow morning at 7am (hooray!) and start training as soon as I get to PA. It is my goal next semester to travel around the country to different Phi Kap Chapters to teach them how to recruit, about what our Ritual really means, and about Chapter operations. For too long have we (Greeks) been viewed as to-be dropouts who care for nothing more than getting to the next party. We aim to break this stereotype and return our Chapters to what our founding fathers originally intended us to become, Men of Honor! Lost Greek Generation tells a story about returning us to where we ought to be, and this is what we aim to do.
Greek life at IIT is very different than the "stereotypical" Greek life (see earlier post) and I encourage anyone who is interested in academic and leadership development to come check us out.
Don't let others life your life for you, make your own decisions and form your own opinions.
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
Brother Skywalker
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Mentorship (Scarlet Hawk Outreach)
Some days start of cruddy but end up great, this is a story of one of those days.
Over the past couple weeks, one of my coworkers and myself have started putting together this mentorship program to help students transition from high school to college more easily. We are having student volunteers contact incoming students throughout the country and offer their help in anyway that they can. Our volunteers help answer questions, offer advice on classes, and be a friend to help transition to IIT.
After weeks of preparation, we have started making phone calls today and so far have received a lot of positive responses! If you are interested in learning more, please email us at ambassadors@iit.edu
In order to have friends, you must first be a friend.
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
Over the past couple weeks, one of my coworkers and myself have started putting together this mentorship program to help students transition from high school to college more easily. We are having student volunteers contact incoming students throughout the country and offer their help in anyway that they can. Our volunteers help answer questions, offer advice on classes, and be a friend to help transition to IIT.
After weeks of preparation, we have started making phone calls today and so far have received a lot of positive responses! If you are interested in learning more, please email us at ambassadors@iit.edu
In order to have friends, you must first be a friend.
Until next time,
Daniel J Kelly
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Fourth of July on the Quad
I hope everyone had a phenomenal Fourth of July weekend, I know we sure did here at Illinois Tech!
Being located so close to the heart of downtown Chicago, it was super cool to be surrounded by all the fireworks going on for the past two days. Between Comiskey (U.S. Cellular), Navy Pier, Rockys (a local bar), and random people, the skies were lit well into the night. The night started with us sitting on the Quad playing bags, grilling, and chilling out, and ended up with us on a roof to get the best view possible!
I have lived in Chicago for 20 years and this is by far the best 4th I have had.
Life is not about having good experiences, but having great people to share those experiences with.
Until next time,
Daniel Kelly
Being located so close to the heart of downtown Chicago, it was super cool to be surrounded by all the fireworks going on for the past two days. Between Comiskey (U.S. Cellular), Navy Pier, Rockys (a local bar), and random people, the skies were lit well into the night. The night started with us sitting on the Quad playing bags, grilling, and chilling out, and ended up with us on a roof to get the best view possible!
I have lived in Chicago for 20 years and this is by far the best 4th I have had.
Life is not about having good experiences, but having great people to share those experiences with.
Until next time,
Daniel Kelly
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Greek Life!
One of my favorite parts of the IIT experience has to be the wide variety of student organizations we offer. With over 100 different student orgs, it is easy to find and get involved in whatever tickles your fancy. From honors societies, to different cultural clubs, to Greek life, to Dungeons and Dragons club (don't diss it until you try it) it is super easy to make your student life fun and exciting!
I am a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity (the Skulls) and it has been one of the best decisions I have made while at IIT. We have 7 different Fraternities located on campus and 3 different Sororities. Unlike your "stereotypical" Greek life, we are focused on academics and leadership building much more than finding the next party. Don't get me wrong, we still have fun, we just make sure we remember why we are at school (to learn!) It saddens me to say that this is the first year in all that I can remember that our all Greek GPA is only equal to the undergraduate GPA, usually we are 0.20 points higher.
If I can offer one tip to anyone (for anything really) is to not judge something before you have given it a chance. Establish decisions for yourself, don't let other people tell you what you should think, you might be surprised in what you find that you actually like and dislike!
So next time you are on campus (which is hopefully soon!) swing by and say 'hi' to the Greeks.
Until next time!
I am a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity (the Skulls) and it has been one of the best decisions I have made while at IIT. We have 7 different Fraternities located on campus and 3 different Sororities. Unlike your "stereotypical" Greek life, we are focused on academics and leadership building much more than finding the next party. Don't get me wrong, we still have fun, we just make sure we remember why we are at school (to learn!) It saddens me to say that this is the first year in all that I can remember that our all Greek GPA is only equal to the undergraduate GPA, usually we are 0.20 points higher.
If I can offer one tip to anyone (for anything really) is to not judge something before you have given it a chance. Establish decisions for yourself, don't let other people tell you what you should think, you might be surprised in what you find that you actually like and dislike!
So next time you are on campus (which is hopefully soon!) swing by and say 'hi' to the Greeks.
Until next time!
FIRST POST
So life at my Admissions is definitely one that will keep you on your toes. I sit at the front desk with Maggie and everyday is an adventure! Whether it be responding to visit emails, giving tours, or redesigning office procedures, I have a a great time here in the office.
Today we are redesigning the campus tour to possibly include a visit to the IdeAshop (one of the coolest buildings on campus), so let's hope the changes work well! We tried a trip to the IdeAshop on Tuesday and the family loved it! The only downside, which we are hoping to rectify today, is that the tour was too long :(
Well I suppose this is enough for the first post, look out every Tuesday/Thursday for more posts containing information on the office and what Greek life is like here on campus.
Today we are redesigning the campus tour to possibly include a visit to the IdeAshop (one of the coolest buildings on campus), so let's hope the changes work well! We tried a trip to the IdeAshop on Tuesday and the family loved it! The only downside, which we are hoping to rectify today, is that the tour was too long :(
Well I suppose this is enough for the first post, look out every Tuesday/Thursday for more posts containing information on the office and what Greek life is like here on campus.
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