November 20, 2003

Staff profile: Kyle Pendleton

Title, length of service: Associate director of University Residential Life/Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, about a year.

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What do you do? I oversee the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, advise 40 fraternity and sorority chapters and four governing councils and serve as a liaison to alumni volunteers. I work to advance scholarship, personal leadership development and campus and community partnerships.

Fraternity man for life: I’ve been working with fraternity and sorority organizations for 10 years since my graduation from Ohio State, where I was initiated as a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. After graduation, I worked for my fraternity’s National Headquarters as a regional leadership director visiting 75 college campuses. After working in South Carolina, California and at Columbia University in New York City, I jumped at the chance to return to a Big Ten institution with one of the best Greek communities anywhere.

What’s the appeal of the Greek community to you? I’m a firm believer in giving back to those who have given so much to me. I’m passionate and dedicated to the experience that molded and shaped me.

Put on your dancing shoes: I’m one half of the first Northwestern faculty/staff couple to survive the entire 30-hour Dance Marathon last March. It is my most memorable experience at Northwestern. What a great chance for students to see administrators working with them, supporting them and having fun. We raised $2,000 last year. My dancing partner, Kirsty Palka, and I hope to raise $3,000 next year.

What do you do outside of work? I’m a pop culture fanatic. I plan to run the Indy 500 half-marathon in May and then train for the 2004 Chicago Marathon. I’m a huge college football fan and a loyal Buckeye. I’ve visited all the Big Ten schools, except Illinois and Minnesota. I’m going to the Northwestern/Illinois football game this weekend.