CALEB DOERR
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
MEET CALEB DOERR
Home chapter – Zeta Epsilon @ Michigan State University
Initiation period – Fall 2013
Graduation date – Fall/Winter 2017
Major or study concentration – Packaging
Main Instrument – Saxophone
Current profession – Packaging Engineer w/ Steelcase, Inc.
Current city – Madison, AL
Why did you join KKPsi or what drew you KKPsi? – "I joined KKPsi in the fall of 2013 after auditioning for the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State. Following a failed audition, I was looking for an outlet for my musical energies, and a way to progress in my musicality. After one long discussion on my audition and my musical aspirations with the marching band director at the time, I was turned to Isaac Frank, a Brother who shared common ambitions with me in music and life at the university. A few emails later about ensembles, instrument rentals and drum corps, Isaac invited me out to a recruitment night for the Zeta Epsilon Chapter. I was starstruck by the people I met that night, and totally in love with the group from the moment I was welcomed into the room, even it was just a pizza night in a classroom. Looking back, I didn’t have a second thought about saying yes to the invitation to continuing my recruitment, which would launch myself into new musical endeavors while being a Brother for four and half years."
What positions or responsibilities did you hold in your chapter? – "My sophomore year, I accepted my nomination for the committee chair of our chapter’s Brotherhood Committee. With four other outstanding Brothers, our goal became to enhance the opportunities for the ‘small moments of Brotherhood’ where friendship really seems to be born. Whether these moments came from big events with Tau Beta Sigma, weeknight study and meal sessions, or ‘Date Night’ meetings with our new Prospective Member class, we were inspired by the chapter growth and Brotherly-love that was flowering. Relative to the year previous, my junior year at the university was more self-focused and my fraternal activity took a downward turn while I was working on career goals, my personal mindset and trying to achieve my goals in marching drum corps. So, quite selfishly, I was more focused myself, the chapter atmosphere, and what we were doing for ourselves as a group of people. While strongly reconsidering if I had a place in KKPsi and what the organization really meant to me, I attended meetings and worked on project teams, but felt pretty out of touch with the fraternity. With the support of some great friends, I was able to work myself out of that negative headspace and really reflect on what I was doing for the chapter, what being a Brother meant to me, and more importantly what I was doing for the people around me. I was determined to see how I could affect the culture and community in our group and was elected Chapter President following a surprise nomination in the Spring of 2016. That year, our chapter’s biggest focus turned into overturning a massive debt to a company who helped with a previous chapter fundraiser that failed. The tone that year was a less than comfortable, but it took us turning our focus inward to really see ourselves as a chapter of Brothers to one another, negotiate our weaknesses, and foster them into strengths. We learned more about ‘filling our cup’ as a chapter and pouring outward, than when we tried to pour from ‘empty’."
Name a favorite memory from your Active membership. – "Myself and three members of Zeta Epsilon decided to take a trip from Michigan down to Kentucky in my small ’99 Volkswagen Golf for the District’s South Block in 2016. Sleep deprived and buzzing on caffeine, we sat in the workshops provided by district officers at the time and met Brothers we never would have been introduced to outside of that trip. We even got the opportunity to be introduced to the style of marching band music that makes the south so different from military band style. The real gem of that trip was building bonds with the brothers who travelled an odd 800 miles with me…the late night discussions that occurred in that little car are buried somewhere in a junkyard in Michigan now. For good."
How has KKPsi helped you in the "real world"? (professionally or personally, or both) – "KKPsi has helped immensely in both focuses of the real world. Professionally, KKPsi has helped by providing me with the skills to not only lead, but to feel comfortable leading and working through projects – large or small. I’ve found how truly enjoyable it can be working in groups and watching large projects come together. KKPsi provided many opportunities for me to use new tools and resources to get the job done, through upper level contacts, technology and group practices. As I grew older, the real treat for me was assisting in the secondary level of leadership, helping individuals to pursue their strengths, and helping them grow out of their perceived weaknesses. I used this actively in my college job, and still find applications for it in my career today. Personally speaking, KKPsi taught me about personal responsibility to both the chapter and my personal time, and the feelings of others. While managing a team of students in my college job, being a section leader in the marching band, taking classes, and presiding over the chapter, I had to learn how to work with others and find balance for my time and the time of others. There are several moments that stick out to me in my years where, being the “push forward!” personality that I am, my friends and Brothers taught me to sit back, listen, and learn to better reflect on the feelings of my peers. A super simple lesson, but I think many times we become so numb to the problem-solving mindset of college that we can forget about the humanistic perspective. Luckily, I had a mindful and influential chapter surrounding me and continually teaching me."
What are you most looking forward to as a member of the NCDAA? - "I’m really looking forward to getting to interact with the numerous alumni Brothers of the NCDAA, whether recent alumni or a few years removed. We all share this great bond of being a Brother and the fraternity has always been inspiring to me because of those bonds, and the experiences, volunteerism, and musicality that result from strong Brotherhood. I hope to see the same from the alumni group and I’m excited to make new friendships with those joining this group with me! I’m definitely hoping to stir up some new projects and adventures while I’m here."
Name one thing you want to get out of the NCDAA. – "With all things KKPsi in our focus, I really want to see how adults and recent college graduates are living in the spirit of the chapter. I’ve taken my time after graduation to get settled here in the South and am looking to get involved in my community music scene, volunteering, teaching, and all that comes with it. Is anyone out there up to similar adventures of new places?"
Name any of your personal social media accounts that you would like people to connect with you. –
Connect professionally with me via LinkedIn
Add or message me on Facebook
Let’s share what we’re working on via Instagram @just_cdoerrable.
I’m a bit of a geographical distance, but I love talking about new music, travel adventures, food quests, and whatever projects you all are working on… and dog pictures. I’d be delighted to talk! Know someone in or find yourself in North Alabama/Southern Tennessee - hit me up!
Thanks for reading! I’m looking forward to meeting all the alumni Brothers, making new memories, and making this a successful alumni Fraternity group.
