Zack, History and Secondary Education, Sophomore
"It’s possible to be open-minded and true to your roots—I’ve learned to make space for both."
Zack carries strong pride in his New England roots and Jewish heritage, two cornerstones that he believes shape his character. Yet, the path to discovering his community at AU wasn’t straightforward. Having once sworn he’d never join Greek life, Zack felt himself pulled into fraternity life by the warmth and acceptance of the brothers in AEΠ. What began as a hesitant experiment became a cherished part of his college life, a chosen family that offered laughter, debate, and camaraderie.
But being Jewish at AU hasn’t always been easy. With complex global and campus conversations around Israel and anti-Semitism, Zack wears his Star of David necklace with a mix of pride and caution. This star is his way of asserting a belief in his culture’s right to exist amidst often polarizing opinions.
Diversity to Zack is not a buzzword; it’s a call to action, a plea for deeper compassion and less divisive judgments. His message to AU is simple yet powerful: no matter our differences, we’re united by shared humanity and the right to be accepted as we are.