ETSU junior Mark Bryan sits in a chair in a room already filled with papers, awards and pictures.
He keeps everything organized on the desk in his bedroom. After all, that is what it takes to be a Lambda Chi Alpha and ETSU first.
Bryan, 21, a finance major, is involved in five student organizations on campus.
“I like being involved,” Bryan said. “I also like staying busy as much as possible.”
To Bryan, “busy” is being involved in the Student Government Association, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, College Republicans and Inter Fraternity Council, being the president of his fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha and being the first person from East Tennessee State University to be on the National Student Advisory Committee for Lambda Chi Alpha.
“There are currently 6,900 active members, in 244 chapters, in the nation,” Bryan said, “and I happen to be a part of a group of 11 guys who get to be a part of major decision making for the whole fraternity nationwide.”
Bryan makes no big deal out of his positions and service.
“Mark is a huge part of our fraternity and our campus organizations,” said Brett Baker, a junior, who is Inter-Fraternity Council president. “He never wants people to make a big deal over all that he is doing.”
On Bryan’s walls and desks are awards and certificates that illustrate the hours of leadership training and time he has put into the Student Advisory Committee. Every stack of papers seems to have the Lambda Chi Alpha name of symbol embossed on it, indicating time spent on his duties.
However, there is more to being on this committee then just awards and papers.
“Being on SAC (Student Advisory Committee) is also connecting to teleconferences every week, and traveling all over the nation for leadership events and conferences,” Bryan said.
Scattered across his desk are old boarding passes. At least three suitcases clutter his closet.
The traveling is the best part of being on the Student Advisory Committee, Bryan said.
“By traveling to the conferences, I not only get to spend time with the other 10 guys on the committee, but I also get the opportunity to see and experience new places,” Bryan said.
In addition to traveling, there are also many serious matters Bryan must handle on the committee.
There are many proposals to go over and either approve or make adjustments to. With 224 chapters in the nation, that means there are many different requests from each fraternity, Bryan said.
He, along with his 10 other committee members, have the power to decide what chapters get approved, and which chapters are denied.
In the end though, Bryan feels his time and effort are well spent, because not only is he one in 11, but he is also a first at ETSU.
“Never has anyone from East Tennessee State University ever been selected to be on the SAC,” said Bryan. “It is an honor to get to be the first one ever.”
Bryan smiled, then looked over at his computer which has just made a noise. There were two new e-mails from the Student Advisory Committee at the fraternity’s national headquarters.
The e-mails and reminders, Bryan said, never stop. This is the type of “busy” Bryan.
Aside from all the work for the SAC and his other campus organizations, Bryan also enjoys playing intramural basketball and just being a normal 21 year old.
“He is a great guy who knows when to be serious and how to get things done,” said J.R. Husmillo, Student Government Association president. “Not to mention he is a great addition to my intramural basketball team.”
Whether it is spending days in another city with the Student Advisory Committee, or being at a Student Government meeting, Bryan said he enjoys it all.
“I am grateful to be a part of the SAC and be involved in my other organizations,” said Bryan.
“After all there is nothing else I can imagine doing, and enjoying more, while I am in college.

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