Sociology senior Matt Friedman, a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, said his time in the fraternity has greatly enhanced his college experience and he’s proud to be able to give back through it with philanthropic efforts.

“It’s all the good friends I’ve made through it,” Friedman said. “I’ve really enjoyed the leadership opportunities I’ve been given the opportunity to participate in. I’ve enjoyed all the sporting events, all the parties, all the philanthropy stuff I’ve been involved in. I’m definitely not looking forward to it ending.”

Friedman serves as philanthropy chair for his fraternity, recently having organized the fraternity’s biggest philanthropy event of the semester, a FIFA tournament at Tap 24 to benefit Save a Child’s Heart. He said he’s also done work with UNICEF while at UT and does work with Caring for Camo, an organization that works to deliver care packages to soldiers oversees that members of his fraternity founded.

Friedman, a Dallas-area native who attended Plano West Senior High School, said he’s really learned the importance of giving back while in college. “Through my college education, especially my major, I have just gotten a lot more inclined to help those that are less fortunate,” Friedman said. “The whole college education has kind of opened my eyes to how fortunate I am and how fortune most students that go to a school like UT are, and have the opportunities that they do. And, so, I think it’s important to give back to those that don’t have the opportunity to go to one of the best schools in the world.”

Friedman said his favorite football team is the Philadelphia Eagles; he loves hip-hop, with his favorite artist being Big Sean; his favorite bar on Sixth is Blind Pig Pub; and his favorite restaurant in Austin is Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Friedman’s set to graduate at the end of this semester and said he’s going to miss a lot about college. “It’s my last semester, so it’s kind of coming to a close faster than I would like,” Friedman said.  

He said throughout his time at UT, his favorite experience was just a few weeks ago, with the latest Texas-OU weekend. “It was just the most fun of all the OU weekends that I’ve been on,” Friedman said. “It's just my senior year. I had a blast.”  

Friedman said he’s had internships in sports business, most recently in sports marketing, and he hopes to either pursue that or work in the non-profit sector after college.  

For Longhorns looking to make the most at UT, Friedman said to give new things a try.  “Get involved in as many things as you can,” Friedman said. “There is literally something going on for anyone on this campus at all times. Take advantage of all the different clubs, all the free events put on and all the sports. I don’t think that you should just stay in one place and stay in your comfort zone. I think that college in general is just a time to get out of your comfort zone and see what kinds of things fit you.”