The Scholarship Got Me in the Room

Eighteen years ago, I went to a Balanced Man Scholarship banquet at Maryland because I could use some help paying for college. I had no intention of joining a fraternity.

I was the second runner-up. The money helped and I figured that was probably the end of it. I eventually joined SigEp anyway. Recently I came back to speak at that same banquet.

The scholarship got me in the room. It wasn't the most important thing I got from being there. The friendships, frustrating experiences, and chances to contribute over the years have mattered more, though I couldn't have predicted any of that as a freshman.

I've been thinking about that invitation. It gave me a reason to walk into a room I wouldn't have sought out on my own. Nobody could have known what I would do with it over the next 18 years.

I don't think every invitation changes someone's path. But leaders make decisions all the time about who gets included, asked to try something difficult, or given a first chance to contribute. It's worth noticing whose interest or potential we might be guessing at instead of asking.