Editor's Note: The following article features Parker Castro (Epsilon Sigma/Wagner 2024). It was originally printed by the Wagner College Newsroom and is reprinted with permission from Jim Chiavelli.
Parker Castro ’24 had his life shaped by Wagner College, and he hopes to use the lessons learned on Staten Island in the design world.
Originally from Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Castro majored in theatre design technology and management. He was the technical director of musical theatre for two years, helping student designers bring their concepts to life and facilitating the technical aspects of their shows. He was the scenic designer of the Wagner College Theatre's Main Stage show, “A Grand Night For Singing.” From stage management and scenic design to technical direction, Castro worked on 16 productions in total.
Off the stage, Castro is a brother of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He held various positions and was the chapter president for two years. Castro was the 2023 recipient of the Interfraternity Council Award, given in recognition of exemplary service and leadership to the council.
Q&A with Parker Castro
What do you have planned after graduation?
I will be a Technical Direction Intern with Walt Disney Imagineering.
What has been your most memorable Wagner moment?
My most memorable Wagner moment was winning Wagner Weekend Royalty this past fall. I ran for Theta Chi Fraternity, and I never thought I would be able to win something like that before coming to Wagner. It was so much fun campaigning and getting to talk to our community as well as hang out with the other Greek organizations while tabling. Hearing them say my name on stage was so exciting, and I will never forget the feeling of being crowned. It was truly a great day that I will never forget.
What was your favorite class at Wagner?
My favorite class at Wagner was Stagecraft with Brian Sharron. We learn about every single thing that we have in our shop and get to complete a series of projects that utilize those tools. It taught me a lot of really great skills. It was super informational and really allowed my brain to think about all the different possibilities there are when it comes to creating, designing, building and fabricating scenery.
What's your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the Theta Chi Lounge on Towers C6. It has become a second home to me. It is a safe space for me and all the other brothers on campus to come relax, do our work, watch TV, play ping pong and video games and spend time together. It has been one of my favorite places to hang out during my time at Wagner.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I love to create art in my free time. My favorite medium is pencils but I also love to paint. I enjoy getting to create something out of nothing and find it rewarding when I finish a piece I have spent a lot of time on.
What is a piece of advice you have for incoming freshmen?
Get involved. Whether it's Greek Life, a club or another student organization, getting involved will completely change your experience at Wagner. Before joining Theta Chi I felt like I didn't really have a place on campus. But after being a brother for three-and-a-half years, I have become so much more confident and made so many lifelong friends. I can't imagine my life at Wagner without getting involved on campus and would highly recommend it as it will greatly enhance your college experience.
You can read the original article here.
Parker connected with Theta Chi International Headquarters' Communications Team to discuss more on his affinity for Theta Chi and everything his collegiate experience has meant to him.
What attracted you to Theta Chi vs. the other fraternities on campus?
I never planned on joining Greek life before college but decided I wanted to get more involved on campus and attended a fraternity interest event the spring semester my freshman year. When I met the brothers of Theta Chi, I immediately wanted to get to know them more. The group dynamic they had with one another was the type of friendship and community that I was searching for on my campus. They made me feel welcome right away and my decision to join was an easy one for me to make after having a great experience meeting everyone.
What was your favorite Theta Chi memory as a collegiate brother?
My favorite memory of Theta Chi as a collegiate brother was competing in Wagner's annual songfest competition during the spring 2024 semester. My brothers, our friends, and I worked together for months to create a super fun lip-sync routine with our own storyline and song mix. It was a blast to work together and the competition itself was one of my favorite days of the school year. It not only was great to get to spend time with each other working on something we were passionate about, but it was also a blast to get to come together with all of the other organizations on campus. My brothers and I loved getting to cheer them on and see what we all had been working on over the course of the semester.
You mentioned that before joining Theta Chi, you didn’t feel like you had a place on campus – what about the Theta Chi experience gave you the boost that you needed to make the most of your four years?
Theta Chi allowed me to grow so much as an individual. The Theta Chi experience taught me some of the most valuable life lessons that made me more confident and outgoing. After I joined, I not only became more involved on campus by joining more clubs but also developed my leadership, networking, and time management skills immensely. My brothers became my closest friends and a social outlet I highly value to this day. They encouraged me to put myself out there and always had my back. Without Theta Chi, my time in college would have been completely different and I am so grateful for the experience I had and the amazing guys I get to call my brothers.