College Junior with Special Needs Celebrates Joining Fraternity, Says He Wants to 'Experience the Brotherhood'

Mar. 15, 2025

Charlie McGee.Photo:CBS

CBS

A South Carolina college student is making history.

Junior Charlie McGee became the first college student with special needs to be accepted into a fraternity at Clemson University,CBS Newsreported.

McGee’s wish was granted in September when he received a bid at Pi Kappa Alpha.

McGee pictured with his Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Clemson University.CBSCharlie

CBSCharlie

One Pi Kappa Alpha member told the outlet, “That was one of the coolest moments at Clemson that we had, was seeing that right there. The joy and light that we were missing in our chapter, that we didn’t know we were missing from the beginning, is unreal.”

Another member added that McGee “broke all the preconceived notions that I thought of that a fraternity man should be like.”

McGee pictured with his Clemson fraternity.CBS

The historic acceptance has sparked a positive change: A total of six fraternities and five sororities have welcomed students from the ClemsonLIFE program this year, according to the report.

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McGee shared that he has also felt a difference within himself since being welcomed in.

He told CBS News, “My disability, it doesn’t really exist.”

source: people.com