John Fenton is a Young Alum who came to EMU relatively unattached, but had a major change of heart by the time he graduated
by Paul Martell
John Fenton: EMU alum, Journalism Major
What do you do when work and school becomes, “work and schoolish”? There comes a time in nearly every student’s life that the drudgery of class takes over, and there is not much enjoyment to be had. John Fenton is an EMU alum who found the answer during his time as an Eagle.
“After my first year, my impression was that college was ‘run of the mill’,” said John Fenton, journalism major. What John did not yet know was that he would soon become involved with an organization, on campus, which would turn his experience around completely.
Fenton chose EMU almost on a whim back in 2007. “I was in all the advanced placement classes in high school, and really applied at random” said Fenton, “I didn’t really care too much.” John happened to be in Ypsilanti around the time that EMU was holding an open house, and he decided to attend. There he applied, was accepted, and that was the end of John Fenton’s college search.
Fenton said that, initially, his college experience was, “like any other college story; I wanted to be a writer, and I wanted to get through.” He would attend classes, do homework and repeat. Before long, John was contacted by Vision, EMU’s student-run volunteer organization, and John decided to get involved. This would be the first step towards turning John’s college experience around.
Through Vision, John ended up working with America Reads and spent many hours working to help tutor children in Ypsilanti schools. John stayed with Vision, helping children learn to read within the Ypsilanti community, for two years. Fenton said, “It was a lot of fun, I met and worked with good people; it was a great way to network.” However, being involved in Vision still did not do much to bolster John’s school spirit. In fact, John would say the cycle of going to class then working for Vision would become too, “work and schoolish.”
In 2008, Fenton decided to become a part of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity on campus, and it was this decision that would lead EMU to become a part of John Fenton’s life daily, even after graduating. At first, Fenton was very hesitant about joining a fraternity, but after repeated encouragement he decided to make the move.
“Greek life turned out to be the best thing to happen to me,” said Fenton, “you meet a variety of really good people, and it was a Delt’ that hired me where I am now.” John Googled Delta Tau Delta before joining, and was surprised to find that there have been two vice presidents of the United States, astronauts, congressmen and senators that were all “Delt’s”. John joined the fraternity, and became a large part in it.
Fenton (center) shows his EMU pride and still attends football tailgates at his university.
In addition to traveling to eight major cities, and handling many responsibilities within the fraternity, an accomplishment that Fenton remembers most fondly is working with Travis Rockey in writing the “Ritual Book”. Travis Rockey is the owner of Evening Post Publishing Company, and worked with Fenton to develop the book that would lay out the correct procedure for inducting new members. Writing the manual was huge as there were, “over 150 chapters worldwide and almost 7,000 members that had no standard for the Ritual.” That is all Fenton can say about the Ritual.
“The Virtue of being at EMU, and joining that fraternity, joining that group of guys and the experiences of traveling,” are all aspects that John attributes to really coming to feel a part of and enjoying EMU. John also fondly remembers having some “Gem professors” that helped him to grow. “I had a professor really open my eyes to how I looked at writing and myself. It redefined my relationship with not just writing, but the words I use to write” said Fenton.
In 2011, John Fenton left EMU and got his first job writing for Keller-Williams Real Estate, but he would not stay there for long. John’s connections with Delta Tau Delta were about to help him secure a fantastic job. One of John’s fraternity brothers worked at GE, and posted the opening for a writing position to his social media accounts. Fenton did not see this listing, however, a different member of his fraternity from EMU did see it, and remembered John. He then referred John for the job, and within a few moments, John had submitted his resume. Within two weeks, GE offered Fenton a job.
Today, Fenton works as a Social Media Specialist for GE. There he manages three to seven social media accounts, and generates all concepts and content for their social media campaigns. As far as how John’s future looks, he said, “I have no idea, bright hopefully. I still very much want to pursue a career in strictly writing. People have said the older you get, the less attached to the ideals of your youth you become, I find the opposite to be true.” John believes, more than ever, that the key to success in school is to participate more.
John still attends all the EMU football games and tailgates, and can appreciate the benefits that University involvement can bring. “The only reason I have a job at GE is because one of my brothers needed a writer, and another one of my brothers remembered me… Everyone who has a key role in my life is an EMU grad.”
– Paul Martell
