Junior James “Jim” Higinbotham is making the most of his time at Gettysburg. He is the chapter’s house manager, runs cross country for the university, and is a member of the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) Platoon Leaders Class (PLC), all while double-majoring in chemistry and history.
A native of Frederick, MD, Jim balances his schoolwork and fraternity membership with military commitments. “I am currently enrolled in the Marine Corps OCS PLC program,” he said, “which puts me on track to getting a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduation from Gettysburg College.”
Jim articulated how his military experience benefitted the chapter. “As house manager, I am responsible for the house, its appearance, and maintenance,” he said. “I have plans to complete repairs in-house as well as to build a storage shed in the side yard for anything we can’t keep inside, like our lawnmowers.
“I am trying to make the house more self-sufficient and apply what I learn from the Marines here, such as the small team leadership that is so essential to the Marine Corps,” Jim said. “When we perform house cleanings, they can be done quickly and effectively with as many people working as possible reporting to an assigned group leader.”
Jim recently made time for fun in addition to all of his responsibilities on campus and in the chapter. “We played tackle football behind the house when the snow was coming down a few weeks ago, which was a fantastic time in the foot of snow we got,” he said.
Jim’s path to Lambda Chi Alpha was inspired in part by his father. “My father was in a fraternity during his time at Gettysburg and always spoke of it more than actual school, which influenced me a lot. I also wanted to expand my experiences and try something new.”
Another inspiration hit closer to home on campus. “My roommate Dom was a big influence as well being my teammate on the cross country team and just an all around great guy to know and live with,” Jim said. “He is a year ahead of me and was already in Lambda when my chance to pledge came, and so it felt like the obvious choice.
“Without Lambda Chi Alpha I wouldn’t meet the great people I’ve gotten to know over the last year and a half,” he said. “You make some really great connections and meet people both current, future, and past brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha that have a lot to share with you.”
When Jim thinks about his time as an alumnus, he sees ways Lambda Chi Alpha will benefit him after graduation. “I hope it will give me a network to use if I need it, but more so there are people I wouldn’t have met otherwise and I hope these connections last the rest of my life.
“I also hope to apply and improve any skills I can while serving as the house manager, be it leadership, woodworking, home repair, or anything else, in the same vein of work.”
As an officer, Jim understands the importance of alumni staying connected and engaged with the chapter. “Alumni support is critical because they help guide us through the roles we take up in the house,” he said. “It is always great to have that alumni network and get to know people and connect with them.
“If the alumni didn’t care about the house, the active members wouldn’t either and it would only create a cycle where the house would continue to diminish. Having that legacy gives us something to look up to and strive towards as well.”