JOUR 271-Spring 2013: Brooks Turner- A Man with True Determination

OXFORD,Miss- A vibrant, rising student at the University of Mississippi takes a leap of faith in becoming a part of a prestigious brotherhood.

Brooks Turner, a Kosciusko native, had thoughts of becoming a part of a fraternity entering his first year of college. After a couple of years of attending the university, Turner began to take a liking to the black fraternities on campus.

“They has much smaller groups of guys and seemed to be a genuine brotherhood” said Turner.

Turner mentioned to a friend, who is now his line brother, he wanted to become a part of a fraternity. Being that he was of a different race, attempting to join a predominantly African American fraternity was a big step for him as well as for the university. He knew that it could maybe cause conflict, but he believed and went after what he wanted. After researching different organizations on campus, the came upon the organization that he thought would fit him best.

“Alpha Phi Alpha really stood out because of the quality and the character of its prominent members” said Turner.

After Turner realized that he wanted to be a part of this organization, he decided to attend the Greek forum. There he listened to a speech given by EJ Edney, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and it enthused Turner. From that day on he knew that he wanted to be included in this organization. Luckily for Turner, there was an interest meeting the next week.

A semester later, spring of 2010, Brooks Turner, a junior, was inducted into the fraternity of Alpha Phi Alpha.

Tremarcus Rosemon, a sophomore and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, expresses how Turner has influenced him and the organization as a whole. Being that Rosemon is younger than Turner, he has helped him and showed him great work ethic. Rosemon explains that Turner has given him the mindset that you can do whatever you put your mind.

"He has greatly influenced me with his undying perseverance and courage” said Rosemon.

Being that he Turner did what it took to become a part of the brotherhood even though some people did not understand and others were against it, to Rosemon it showed a lot of determination and drive.
“Brooks is a great guy and fraternity brother. He will definitely go far in life.” said
Rosemon.

Kwanza Boone, his line brother and close friend, tells how he admires Turner and the steps he took to become a part of a prestigious organization and beating the odds. Boone expresses that Turner has established a “cohesive relationship” amongst the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. Boone describes him as a hard worker. He implements great ideas and promotes a common good in the serving of the community.

“He became my brother in a bond that not only last a day or month but a lifetime” said Boone.

Not only has Turner accomplished the goal of becoming a part of a predominantly black fraternity, he has also been accepted into UMC’s medical school where he will be starting next August.