Before Oakley Hurst joined the University of North Alabama (UNA), he had absolutely no interest in Greek life. “It was one of those things that I thought I could get through my college experience without needing,” he says. But his view of Greek life changed once he stepped onto campus and, most importantly, kept an open mind.
Oakley explains, “But I quickly came to realize that when you come to college, it’s very important that you establish a family and a community. Greek life was there for me during that time.” Plus, being in a fraternity gave him the opportunity to discover, and strengthen, skills that will help him succeed now that he’s officially an alum (class of 2026). Service-driven and philanthropic endeavors played a key role in this growth process.
In fact, opportunities provided by Greek life allowed Oakley to refine his skills in professional management and public speaking. Ultimately, this led him to a major in mass communications (with a concentration in public relations) and a minor in marketing. “I would say the major benefit of Greek life would definitely be the leadership skills that you develop,” Oakley explains. “From taking on chair positions to serving on our Executive Council, it’s definitely prepared me for my career post-college.”
When students remain open to the valuable opportunities that Greek life provides, they’re delightfully surprised by the rewards they reap, both professionally and personally. For Oakley, it was a collaboration with Magic Moments, a branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, that solidified this fact.
In 2019, Oakley was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. So, when it came time for his fraternity to discuss new philanthropic partnerships, he made the decision to share his own story. His Alpha Tau Omega brothers were quick to support a partnership with Magic Moments—the impact this had on the children involved in the organization, and Oakley himself, can’t be overstated.
“In the past year alone we were able to sponsor a marathon with the money we raised for Magic Moments, and we’ve sent three kids on their wish trips,” Oakley says. “Being able to give back to the organization that was there for me during a dark time, and seeing my brothers support that mission, has been a full-circle moment.”
Meaningful opportunities like those are exactly why Oakley is so grateful to have given UNA’s Greek life a chance. The tight-knit community he joined helped make his time as a student far more impactful than he could have ever imagined.
It’s no wonder that Oakley strongly advises incoming UNA students to learn more about Greek life and what it has to offer. In fact, he still remembers the advice he was given when rushing was still the last thing on his mind: “I was very adamant about not rushing, and someone told me, “You’ll never know unless you take that chance.’”