IFC president looks back on time as a Vandal
Choosing what college to go to can be difficult. Most students are faced with a bundle of daunting questions having to do with distance, finances, social circles, academics, opportunity and sometimes, health. Yet, a little guidance can make those hard decisions a lot easier — just ask University of Idaho Interfraternity Council President, Steven Cleppe.
“My big brother came here and was in the ROTC, too,” Cleppe said. “That’s a big reason why I came here. I learned a lot about the university through him.”
Senior Steven Cleppe is the current IFC president and will be ending his term in December.
Steven said, apart from his brother’s influence to attend UI and join ROTC, distance and affordability were also factors in his selection. He said while he wanted to get out of the Seattle area, he wanted to be close enough to drive home on weekends. He said a sizable scholarship offer was also a shoe-in for him.
The Shoreline, Washington native and Beta Theta Pi Fraternity member is slated to graduate in May with a major in political science and a minor in military science.
Enlisted in the U.S. Army, Cleppe said he originally wanted to join the Navy, but opted for the Army because he’s wanted to fly jets and helicopters since he was just 8 years old. He expects to find out in November what his military service will entail, but still dreams of doing aviation.
Cleppe said his involvement in IFC has impacted his leadership skills and ability to easily make connections with people.
“In the Army, basically all you study is leadership, but being in IFC you get to learn it through another aspect so that’s also really rewarding,” he said. “Being able to work with all of those people, and seeing how the Greek life affects a much bigger group of people than we think, and being able to help the different chapters and the Greek life progress move forward is really beneficial.”
Cleppe was first acquainted with IFC his freshman year when he became his house’s senator. He said he ended up enjoying his service so much that when his term was up he yearned to serve in IFC in a different — more prominent — capacity.
“As time went on, I decided that I really wanted to be the president, because I felt like I’d be really good at it,” he said. “I wanted to be in a position outside of the house but still be involved, and I thought IFC was a good choice for that.”
As it is for the Panhellenic Council, elections for new IFC leaders begin in December. But before his term is up, Cleppe and his fellow IFC delegates are focused on the future of IFC.
“We’re just trying to build up on what we’ve been doing for IFC and trying to make it better for the future,” he said.
Cleppe said he’s also eager to see what cards the new council members will bring to the table for next year.
But Cleppe isn’t only eyes-open for new council members. He said incoming students are the people who are going to leave a lasting impact on campus.
“The theme I took going through school was that you basically have four years to do this so when you leave, do your best to look back and say, ‘There’s nothing I wish I could have done,'” Cleppe said. “Do everything and take advantage of every opportunity.”
Emily Mosset can be reached at [email protected]