Robert Neithart, Asst. News Editor—
Dr. Kyle Fowler is the latest member of the University’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), having joined the team at the beginning of the Spring semester.
Fowler comes to the Denison community with nearly a decade of experience in Fraternity and Sorority Life. Working in Iowa for the majority of his career, he began at Simpson College before moving to the University of Iowa, where he served as a direct chapter advisor to upwards of 27 chapters in interfraternity and national panhellenic councils.
At the University of Iowa, Fowler was responsible for coaching chapter members, as well as managing harm reduction, bystander intervention, alcohol safety training and risk management.
At Denison, Fowler will hold the position of Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, working with current Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Ashley Metzger, in advising the University’s panhellenic chapters.
As the second full-time staff member, Fowler is hopeful that the FSL Office will better be able to support the University’s chapters. He cites the creation of the New Member Academy and the future creation of an FSL Programing Board to be significant steps in the interest of establishing FSL signature events and programming.
With this new infrastructure in place, Fowler is optimistic that the FSL Office will be able to provide more support for University chapters, saying, “[we] can better connect with our chapters on a deeper level and… support their needs.”
Parker Smith ‘24, president of Denison’s Beta Theta Pi chapter, echoed these sentiments, explaining that he is excited to see how the FSL Office will continue to grow and develop with Fowler as a permanent team member, saying he is “excited to work with [Fowler] and [is] open to the idea of more advisors in the office.”
When asked about long-term goals the FSL Office is working toward, Fowler cited the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity throughout University chapters, saying the FSL Office is considering “more strategic partnerships with the Center for Belonging and Inclusion… and [ways] to infuse DEI work into the basis of [their] work.”
A talking point brought up by both Fowler and Smith was the importance of developing a sense of unity and collaboration across the University’s chapters.
Fowler explained that the FSL Office is aware of the desire to promote cross-council collaboration and that they are invested in fostering this goal through new additions like the New Member Academy, as well as future additions like an FSL Programming Board.
Smith expressed optimism in the abilities of the FSL Office to help in supporting these changes but explained that to truly foster collaboration between chapters, there needs to be interest expressed by the Denison community and chapter members.