Five Questions with Recent Graduate Emilio Ferrara, IV (Georgia)
Interview
Brother Ferrara is a recent graduate of the Mu Chapter at the University of Georgia. Earlier this year, he was selected as a recipient of two of Sigma Nu’s highest collegiate honors for the 2023-2024 academic year - Man of the Year and Scholar of the Year.
1. As you look back on your collegiate experience, is there a memorable moment or achievement during your time as a collegiate member that significantly impacted you?
I was fortunate to be a collegiate member for Mu Chapter’s 150th anniversary in 2023. Working alongside fellow chapter brother Thomas Lockwood to organize and execute the anniversary celebration was a great foray into leadership as a sophomore and an incredibly rewarding experience. Together, we gathered over 375 people—including over 100 alumni and 135 collegiate members—in Athens, GA, to celebrate Mu Chapter’s historic legacy at the University of Georgia. It was a great celebration and an inspiring showcase of Sigma Nu's lifelong impact.
2. How did you balance your commitments to the Fraternity with your academic, professional, and personal responsibilities?
I have always used an old-fashioned paper academic planner to keep track of my schedule and manage my time. I remember things better when I write them down and can cross assignments off as I finish them. Ultimately, the number of possible commitments is much more than the amount of time in the day, so I found that prioritization is just as critical of a skill as time management. By effectively managing my time and prioritizing my commitments, I can better finish the assignments that need to be finished and spend time on the commitments I find most meaningful to me.
3. This past year, you had the opportunity to serve as a Collegiate Advisor to the High Council. Can you share how that experience has shaped your view of our lifelong commitments to the Legion of Honor and how we work to advance our honorable Mission?
Serving as a Collegiate Advisor exposed me to the full scope of the Fraternity. Firstly, I was able to meet and create friendships and mentorships with collegiate members and alumni from across the country. I still stay in contact with many of these men, and it is always fun to reconnect whenever we are in the same place. Secondly, I learned about the extensive leadership of the Fraternity at the national level. Brad Beacham is an incredible Executive Director, and the High Council and Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors are full of alumni who are great leaders and accomplished professionals. Working with these individuals as a Collegiate Advisor showed how rewarding it can be to stay involved and committed to Sigma Nu.
4. Your brother, father, and grandfather are all members of the Fraternity. What has it meant to you to have furthered the Ferrara family legacy within the Legion of Honor?
My family is my most important core value, shaping who I am, what I believe, and how I view the world. Thus, one of the greatest honors in my life is to be named after my grandfather. As I chart my path through life, I am guided by the values I have learned from my family and determined to honor its legacy. It was not until my grandfather, father, and I were all present for my younger brother’s initiation (pictured) that I realized what it meant for us to share that same experience.
5. What advice would you give to a newly initiated Fraternity member to ensure they make the most of their collegiate experience?
New members begin their collegiate experiences with so many different opportunities to pursue across campus. The breadth of opportunities can seem overwhelming; however, I hope new members can view it as empowering. My advice is to experiment broadly during your first few years and then focus where you want to have the most impact as an upperclassman. This applies to opportunities within Sigma Nu and Greek Life, but also to academics, intramurals, internships, summer opportunities, and so much more. Pursue opportunities that you are interested in and stay involved in leadership positions for the ones that are most impactful to you!