Matt Dobosenski

When did you attend Gustavus Adolphus College?
1995-1999
What was your major?
I double majored in instrumental music education and vocal music education, even though the college did not recommend me doing so.
What is your current profession? Do you feel that your life today is affected by your participation in Greek Life?
I am the Media Services coordinator for Gustavus Adolphus College and I feel that Greek Life had an impact by giving me leadership opportunities as the vice president. These skills I learned contributed to skills necessary for everyday life.
Why did you decide to get involved in Greek Life? How did you decide what fraternity/sorority was right for you?
I joined the Kappas because I met many of the older guys in the fraternity as a freshman and sophomore through class. I felt that the people and actions of the frat made it a natural fit for me.
What kinds of community projects did you participate in? What positive impact do you feel you had on the community during your time on campus?
We did a number of fundraisers donating the proceeds to charities. We were also a voice for other organizations helping to get the word out and raise awareness of certain topics.
Was any emphasis was put on preserving your history? What was done to ensure that future generations carried on your tradition?
There was no emphasis put on preserving our history while I was a part of the frat.
As an advisor there was not a lot of emphasis on continuing traditions, this was left more to the alumnis who would come back and be actively involved in major events. The traditions were left to those in it at the time, it was no so much about what previous generations had done. There was a definite focus on the future. The Fraternity became inactive at a time when alumni were not very involved and had a weak association with active members.
Did Greek Life ever get in the way of academics? Is there anything you would have done differently?
For us, being a part of a fraternity never got in the way of our academics. We even had some of the top academic achievers at the school in our fraternity and being a part of the frat actually pushed them to be better students.
Have you returned since graduating?
After graduation, he was hired by Gustavus Adolphus College and became a faculty advisor for Psi Kappa Chi. His work with this was not very hands on, so his return was not the same as it was for other alumni’s.
Would you encourage others to get involved in Greek Life? What is your perspective on the process now that you are a few years removed from it?
I would encourage people to get involved because it is a great experience and adds to the college experience. I still view Greek organizations as a positive thing and I am still in contact with some of my rush brothers as well as members of the fraternity that were older or younger then me.
In the past, Greeks have conflicted with campus officials. At one point in the late 1980s, all fraternities and sororities were kicked off campus. What do you know about this conflict?
The conflict occurred before I attended Gustavus but it was referred to as a time of fold lore because it was hard to distinguish what actually happened during that period and what was just stories.
Did you have a vision on what your frat would become? Has this vision been fulfilled and did you see this change while you were an academic advisor?
We talked about what we wanted the fraternity to become when we were involved in it but were disappointed when future members did not carry on as we had expected they would. We wanted to see the fraternity grow and have prolonged existence and positive impact on the community of St. Peter past their existence as on organization on campus through a fund or program that could carry on. The members of the active group are the ones that ultimately determine that direction that the frat will move in. With the limited time a student is involved, it is hard to see things through while actively involved.