TOGETHER IN SERVICE

By HQ Staff

Phi Psi and Delta Gamma (DG) have a history of hosting social events together at the University of Kentucky. It was during one of these social events that Matthew Johnson Kentucky ’98 met a DG named Nikki. The two hit it off immediately. 

“At the football game after the tailgate, we made a bet on the winner. The loser had to buy dinner. I lost the bet but won in the end,” Nikki said. “We were together from that point on!”

The couple married after graduation, and Matthew began a career serving our country. 

They would spend the first eight months of their marriage apart with Matthew deployed in Iraq. With Matthew gone, Nikki involved herself with DG, taking on elevated roles like serving on the house corporation and DG’s Cabinet. Reflecting on their early days together, Nikki said, “Without the support of our family, friends, and close Delta Gamma/Phi Kappa Psi sisters and brothers, we would not be where we are today.” 

Matthew came back to the States, but work relocated them across the country. And sadly, the Kentucky Beta Chapter closed during this time. Eventually, Matthew and Nikki found their way home to Louisville while Phi Psi was also making its way back onto the UK campus. The young colony would need a robust support system to grow its membership. Former Chapter Advisor Rob Patterson Kentucky ’94 had just the man in mind – Matthew Johnson. Matthew’s profession made lengthy commitments difficult, but he wanted to support the colony and help Kentucky Beta recharter. Matthew told Patterson, “I’ll give you what I got while I can, and I’ll give you 100%.”

Advising the colony presented Matthew with the realization that campus culture and the challenges of college students had changed since his time at UK. Nikki proved to be a strong support system for Matthew. On his drives home from the chapter house, he’d call Nikki and talk through colony business. “The more I talked to my wife, the more I realized she knew a lot more about this than I did in the current climate.”

It wasn’t long before service pulled Matthew away from advising and Nikki again. By then, it became obvious to Matthew who should replace him, Nikki. She understood the campus, the students, Phi Psi, and (best of all) had already engaged with the colony. The only question was, could she serve in an advisory role as a nonmember? 

Phi Psi’s Director of Volunteer Engagement Matthew Bratsch Butler ’24 (Rowan ’11) shared that nonmembers fill all types of volunteer roles throughout Phi Psi, but they often go overlooked – as do our members’ partners. “There’s a place for family and friends in Phi Psi, and they need to be acknowledged and celebrated. Nikki is a prime example of this,” Bratsch said.

Since taking over the advisor role, Nikki uses her knowledge from volunteering with DG and living as a UK undergraduate to bring value to colony members. “There are definitely differences between a small group of, you know, 15 to 18 men in an organization to a sorority chapter with 250,” Nikki said. “These young men are so eager to learn, so eager to do things the right way.”

Nikki’s perspective on engaging with Phi Psi as a partner encapsulates the essence of what Greek life should aspire to be — a harmonious blend of our experiences. Nikki is a beacon of hope and possibility for fraternity members and their partners, embodying the community’s true spirit of unity and progress.

As the colony began the fall 2024 semester, they received quite the surprise — Matthew returned home. He eagerly plans to be more involved with the colony as time permits, and rest assured, Nikki will be there with him.