Fraternity, as a noun, is defined as the state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group.

On a university campus, however, a fraternity is thought of as an organization of college men formed primarily for social purposes. But these are only second to the feeling of brotherhood in a fraternity.

Friday night, the solidarity of Alpha Sigma Phi was exemplified, as brothers raised money for another who had to leave Iowa State due to his mother’s medical concerns.

Elan Leykin joined Alpha Sigma Phi at Iowa State two years ago, but returned to Wisconsin at semester to support his mother as she fights late-stage colorectal cancer.

In response, Harold Larke and Ian Walsh started a fundraiser in which all proceeds will go toward the Leykin family.

But they took the brotherhood one step further with the fundraiser, called Alpha Shave A Guy, and are giving people the chance to pay to shave — or wax — volunteering brothers’ heads.

The feeling of togetherness is furthered by a brotherhood director, a position in Alpha Sigma Phi and other fraternities, who sets up events to help brothers bond with one another.

Tyler Palmquist, vice president of Alpha Sigma Phi, feels that all of the events put on really promote community between the men. He sees the events as ways to bond with people.

Some of the events include paintball fights, Super Bowl parties and food fights, but also having more professional speakers like Northwestern Mutual come in.

“We are a close-knit brotherhood,” Palmquist said. “There [are] no niches around the house. You are just always welcome where you go.”

Palmquist’s sentiments are echoed in the comments of Dawit Tilahun, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi.

“The brotherhood here is definitely very close to a bunch of gentleman,” Tilahun said. “We focus hard on academics along with really just allowing brothers to flourish through different means.”

Tilahun was impressed with the turnout at Alpha Shave A Guy and said that several brothers had been shaved completely bald. He sees this event, as well as other brotherhood events, as a way of giving back to the community.

By the end of the night, Alpha Shave A Guy had raised over $900 and are continuing to ask for donations through their GoFundMe.

Although Leykin had to leave Iowa State, he is now attending a college closer to home so he can better attend to his mother and rejoined Alpha Sigma Phi at his new college to continue feeling that sense of brotherhood.