Brother Interview: Kyle Floyd '04

This week's brother interview is on brother Kyle Floyd '04!

Basic Stuff:

1. Your name, as you would prefer it to be stated? 

Kyle Floyd

2. Your current location?
Bowling Green, Ohio.

(I'm changing apartments on April 15th, so I'll reserve that for when I actually finish with the move.

3. Your Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn account links (or other websites as well)?

www.facebook.com/kyjfloyd

Fraternity Stuff: 

4. Badge Number? 

60

5. Pledge Class Name? 

Eta

6. Fraternity Nickname, if you remember it? 

Officially, Mr. Pink. A younger generation applied the moniker "FKF"

7. Story behind how you got your nickname, if you remember it? 

For Mr. Pink: Because I can't keep my stupid mouth shut. At least you folks didn't retroactively throw "ball" onto it somewhere.
For FKF: I screwed up Greek Week, I think? I dunno.

8. Your fondest memory of being a Phi Psi? 

As an undergrad, it was a combination of all the little things, such as:

• Wolvin knocking on the wall in Willow for a food run (or the other way around, more often than not)
• Bothering Rick, Nick, Wolvin, Brett, Victor, or Wendell for video games. 
• Poker nights primarily with Nick/Duca/Josh, but also game nights during rush weeks, too.
• Waking up before everyone else in Cabo and diving into the Bay.

9. Your most embarrassing moment as a Phi Psi? 

The sound of a hundred chairs screaming in unison as another one of their brethren buckled beneath me. And, of course, E.J. never letting me forget about a single one.

10. Your proudest moment as a Phi Psi? 

My proudest moment by far was a moment of self-realization - at some point along the way I gained the ability to socialize without sounding like a jackass and, more importantly, was able to laugh at myself. I've always struggled with self-esteem issues, and the good-natured ribbing helped me grow as a person, in a weird way. Not to say I was/am INFALLIBLE (who is?) but I mostly like who I am as a person now because of it.

11. Any unique memories from your time as a Phi Psi? 

• Rooming with Jeff Jiao/Jeff Warren/Bob Nagy, Josh Bakal and Bobby Koprowski, and the two senior years (not QUITE Farally level, I hope) with EVERYBODY in the Lehigh house. Generally, if you wanted to do something, there was always someone down to go do it.
• Similarly, Matt/Acxel embracing the Secret Santa blow-up doll by displaying it for all Triad to see.
• The time that Duca helped Matt out with his Greek God sketch. Pity I couldn't hold the camera steady from laughing too hard.
• Dry heaving on the football field in tandem with Chris Behringer from APO and Rachel Zara from ASA because we were the three people LEAST suited to running around on campus for a photo hunt. Damn it, Greek Week.

12. Any fraternal advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today? 

While I had the fortune of meeting my best friends (and current roommate) via my time active in the chapter because I stayed around SO LONG, do NOT let your enjoyment in the fraternity get in the way of your academics. If you cherish the time with your brothers, you will realize that one day you will have to leave them, but not forever. There's always the ability to come back around to be an active alumnus if you have the will to do so.

13. When was the last time you visited Rowan or the chapter? 

2012 was the last time I was around the chapter for an event, but I visited Rowan pretty frequently until early 2014, since I was still friends with someone there for their Master's program.

14. What is favorite event the chapter holds? 

My favorite events were the impromptu ones (slip and slide Cinco de Mayo, for instance) but from the outside looking in, I also enjoyed going to Homecoming - doubly so because I didn't HAVE to do any of the work on the floats. Sucks a bit that I'm no longer in the area, though.

15. Who's the 1 brother you want to reconnect with / see interviewed here? 

I'd love to hear from Bob Nagy. Last time I spoke to him, he was in town but I was laid out with the flu.

16. Name 1 friend you made in NJE you still keep in touch with...

Ryan Runquist. I regret missing his wedding due to a crappy kidney of mine, but at least I got to catch up with him earlier this year before I moved out to Ohio.

Career Stuff: 

17. Year you graduated from Rowan?
Officially or unofficially? I finally walked in 2008, I think, but I had to wade through red tape and another class in the fall, and they finally gave me a degree marked for 2009.

18. Degree(s) you graduated Rowan with? 

B.A. in Chemistry. 

19. Any advanced degrees or certifications you have? 

N/A. Does being an uncertified jerk of all trades count?

20. Your current occupation? 

Legal transcription, after a few years of working in a criminal defense attorney's office as a legal assistant. Recently applied to go back into banking, however.

21. Number of years in that occupation? 

Transcription - 1

Legal assistant before that - 4

22. Any career advice you would give to an undergraduate Phi Psi today? 

Your first job is likely not going to be your last one. If you wind up not liking what you're doing, don't be afraid to move on. Speaking from experience here: I wound up getting a job at an environmental testing agency shortly after graduation... right after the BP Oil spill. Overworked, underpaid/understaffed work testing water and soil from the Gulf of Mexico. Before that, I thought a dishwashing job was the worst one I've ever had in my life. Not so, anymore.

23. What's one piece of advice you'd give every undergraduate about networking?

You can't please everyone all the time, but it's also not their job to contact YOU if you need a hand. Don't be afraid to reach out for connections.

Relationships/Family/Personal Stuff: 

24. Are you currently in a relationship? If so, with who and for how long?
Nope, but happy that way for now.

25. Do you have kids? If so, how old and their names? 

Ditto the above. 

26. Hobbies that you are currently into? What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I'm still big on video games (though not as much as I used to be) but also do a bit of sketching/drawing, a bit of music, a bit of bicycling (yes, even with my size.)

27. Anything you would like to share with other brothers through the blog regarding your relationship/family/personal life?

I recently moved (and am moving again shortly) and am still suffering a bit of culture shock, since it's nine hours away from Jersey. Still, I share this because I moved closer to my best friends and am much happier here than I would've been had I stayed in Jersey, even if financially it wasn't my best decision. I advise you: If you aren't happy where you are, strive to improve your situation.