Sierra Lutheran grad earns high honors, to represent Concordia University in Atlanta

Business might be Greek to many college freshmen, but it’s the heart language of Avery Casteel.

Casteel, a 2018 graduate from Sierra Lutheran High School and a rising sophomore at Concordia University, Irvine (CUI), used her first year in college to quickly grab hold of the fast-climbing elevator to the executive suite for college students studying business.

Majoring in business administration, with a double emphasis in finance and marketing, Casteel earned departmental honors her freshman year on the strength of her 3.83 grade point average. Her academic success and strong business acumen also opened the door to the Greek fraternity system for aspiring business students, and a fast track to national leadership.

“I decided to join Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity on campus, during my freshman year,” the 19-year old Minden resident said. “The purpose of this co-ed fraternity is to organize and foster the study of business in universities. It is the largest business organization internationally.”

This past spring, Casteel was elected the fraternity’s chancellor, who administrates each general business meeting in the protocol of Robert’s Rules of Order. The honor was a springboard to then being voted as the university’s delegate for the National Delta Sigma Pi Grand Chapter Congress in Atlanta, Aug. 14-18.

“The purpose of this conference is to conduct fraternity business, for collegiate members to be part of educational programming, and to network with hundreds of other collegiate members and alumni,” Casteel explained. “I will be voting among different parts of the fraternity, and the chapter as a whole, and I am really excited to bond with my chapter during congress, as well as meet many other collegiate members.”

The day after the Grand Chapter Congress Casteel will start fall classes and her presidency of the Rho Phi Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi at CUI.

“The president is the ‘CEO’ of the chapter and looks over all functions of the chapter,” Casteel noted. “We want to be able to market ourselves in a way that shows we are not simply ‘Greek life’ but a professional fraternity. We also want to achieve Chapter of Excellence once again this semester, which is the highest tier focusing on larger scale events and National Fraternity promotion.”

Consistent with bonds formed in residential Greek life during college, Casteel cites the familial association she shares with her fellow fraternity members as the most rewarding aspect of affiliation.

“The special memories I have had are creating relationships with the members of my chapter,” said Casteel, who is also a member of the university’s dance team. “We are able to go out and laugh and enjoy one another instead of just working hard. I know I can count on them no matter what. My ‘brothers’ are my family away from home.”

The experiences and resume-building opportunities Casteel has gained during her collegiate career thus far portend a wealth of continuing opportunities through college and after graduation.

“Every month, we (Rho Phi) have professional events,” Casteel continued. “We invite business owners and professionals to speak on behalf of the fraternity. We are able to ask questions, interact and gain a feel for that field of business. The business professionals usually offer guidance and even possible internship opportunities.”

As for her career aspirations after college, Casteel cites either working for a major corporation or creating her own business. Above all, though, she values the vitality of forming strong interpersonal relationships and infusing visionary thinking to create successful outcomes.

“I have always been interested in business because of my parents,” she revealed. “I love how they interact with employees and other business owners. They impact society in a great way by their ideas and optimism and it rubs off on everyone around them.

“I want to pursue the same type of idea. I love the idea of changing something for the better by products or services. My aspirations include impacting society with my ideas.”

And in the manner of true servant leadership, Casteel plans to stay true to, and support, her roots in business education.

“After I graduate, I will join an alumni chapter where I will be assisting collegiate members in the region,” Casteel emphasized. “I want to help and give back to the collegiate members just like the alumni have helped me as I have been able to benefit and learn from them.”

And for those still in high school, or for contemporaries still trying to find their way in the world, Casteel offers advice beyond her years.

“Do not worry about your future too far ahead,” she counseled. “Find what interests you, follow your passion and work hard, but also have fun because this is the time in your life where you are able to figure out what you want to pursue. Always know that God is in control and has given you many gifts.”

What better way to learn Greek than understanding the Alpha and the Omega.