ANDREW SCHNEIDER
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
MEET ANDREW SCHNEIDER
Home chapter – Zeta Epsilon @ Michigan State University
Initiation period – Spring 2014
Graduation date – May 2016
Major or study concentration – History Education
Main Instrument – Alto Saxophone
Current profession – Historian & Educational Support
Current city – Ann Arbor, MI
Why did you join KKPsi or what drew you KKPsi? - “Going into college, I was very involved in the musical world in high school, and had debated about taking it as a major. Despite my focus being in History Education, I wanted to find a way to get involved in the musical arts at MSU anyway that I could, and I was fortunate to make it into the Spartan Marching Band (someone dropped out, and I was called 3 weeks before preseason began!). Despite making the alternate squads my first season, I enjoyed the entire experience, along with making all of the wonderful friends that I’m still close with today.
Being in the SMB, I did see active brothers at work, helping during the preseason, gamedays, and even during the postseason as well. I thought it was awesome that this group existed! I didn’t know anything really about Kappa until an active brother (Nick Cervantes) talked about Kappa to me, and what they did & strived for. Needless to say, I was interested to become a brother & serve the bands anyway that I could. Though anxious about the idea of joining a fraternity (bad experience by my roommates scared me), I took the chance to join and I am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life.”
What positions or responsibilities did you hold in your chapter? - “I never held a position as an active brother, though I did work on a variety of committees. I was involved in our District-Nationals committee for about a year (working to prepare the chapter for District & National convention), and then got involved in our Brotherhood Committee (BroHoCo) for my last year. During the non-academic season, I worked as a co-chair for the Freshmen Letters Committee for Preseason, a program, that we share with our chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, in which brothers & sisters write letters to incoming freshmen of the SMB with notes of encouragement, tips & tricks, and general advice about their first year ahead.”
Name a favorite memory from your Active membership. - “Oh goodness, where do I begin? There’s too many! Honestly some of my favorite memories of being an active brother were attending the many conventions & blocks held across the district. Not only was it a way to grow in my knowledge of Kappa & the betterment of my professional & personal self, but it was a wonderful way to meet new brothers from across the district & to share ideas and help out any way possible. That being said, a road trip with Kappa brothers is a special experience & something I really miss. From late night drives across the district (like from Northern Illinois to MSU), to driving through a blizzard to attend convention (arriving in Ft. Wayne, IN at 3am...), traveling with Kappa has blessed me with many wonderful miles of memories.”
How has KKPsi helped you in the "real world"? (professionally or personally, or both) - “I would say that Kappa has given me a world of connection, with brothers from across the country who share the same passion to serve the bands. From laughs to low-key therapy sessions, Kappa has been able to provide a system of support that has saved my life & my sanity. Professionally, through the connections I keep and the many workshops attended, Kappa has provided an environment that flourishes new ideas & philosophies of life that can better ones life, and has certain done so for me. Most importantly, it has created a canal to quench a thirst to serve the bands. The people that are with this organization all strive under the same banner, and can provide the necessary means to allow the bands of this country to thrive. And if there are cases where some bands need help, brothers are there & ready to help. It’s such an amazing community of people, and something I think can be a source of inspiration for companies & organizations everywhere.”
Name one thing you want to get out of the NCDAA. - “I hope to continue to grow, professionally and personally, through the people that I meet & the workshops that I attend. It’s always true that we never stop mentally growing & we are always learning something new everyday, even as alumni. Through the NCDAA, in the workshops that are held, and through the meet & greets hosted, I feel that brothers can be able to continue to grow and become more wise as they go into their lives as alumni, knowing that this close-knit community will support their hard works and efforts, praising & supporting them along the way. I believe that the cards are right for this beautiful community to blossom into something spectacular, and I am happy to be a part of it.”
What are you most looking forward to as a member of the NCDAA? - “I look forward to being around brothers that still have that drive to serve the bands, where you can see that they are still passionate about the bands, even though their careers may veer them a different direction. And, if anything, it will be nice to continue that sense of a close community amongst brothers, and getting to meet new friends along the way! I hope that I can be able to help new brothers of the NCDAA make that transition to the alumni life, and make them feel like they are entering something that is wonderful & useful for their professional and personal lives.”
Name any of your personal social media accounts that you would like people to connect with you. - “You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and on Instagram! I also have a Linkedin account, if you’re feeling fancy & professional!”
Name any other contact information that you are willing to share.
“If you have any questions, you can reach me at schne394@gmail.com or at my cell, but please message me about my number.”
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