Loving Others, One Coffee Cup at a Time

“Men for Others rings in my head always. How can I be of service to the person next to me?”

The love and enthusiasm for Strake Jesuit reverberated as Nick Fetzer ’19 recounted his experiences at Jesuit and how they influenced the work he is doing now. His journey, driven by love, is a testament to the Jesuit ideal of being a Man for Others.

“Strake Jesuit laid the groundwork for how I carry out my day-to-day,” Nick begins. “The service orientation and sense of ethical leadership stood out to me. During my time at Strake Jesuit, Hurricane Harvey destroyed Houston. I felt an immediate draw to help, whether it was with my soccer team and Coach McDonald or just my brothers, who were also Strake Jesuit graduates.” 

 

Nick reflects on how these values of integrity and compassion have shaped his leadership style. “Jesuit values integrity in what you do and how you present yourself, as well as compassion. It’s about putting those around you in front of yourself.” 

 

Nick then shared an experience during his senior service project at Beloved and Beyond, a camp for children and young adults with disabilities. “Coach D’Souza pushed me to attend this camp, saying, ‘Some people love it, but I know it can be difficult at times.’ My life changed that week, I was surrounded by some of my best friends from school, and we grew together. I was able to show selfless love for an entire week without issue. This can be an everyday thing.” Nick has since then returned to Beloved and Beyond every summer, now as a staff member. He believes it has become a place that appreciates the heart of the young men of Strake Jesuit. 

 

When asked how Strake Jesuit inspired him to embody the motto Men for Others, Nick speaks about his business, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, in Boulder, Colorado, where he and his family help employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a coffee shop. “My work at Bitty & Beau’s stems from my desire to serve and love my community that Jesuit helped implement. My daily life consists of being an advocate for those with disabilities while also helping guide them through life. I am helping serve a group that has been underserved for a very long time.” 

 

Nick emphasizes the importance of inclusion and raising awareness. “My service comes through raising awareness and educating others about the importance of inclusion and disability rights. It’s about recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual and striving to create a more inclusive and compassionate world, one cup of coffee at a time.” 

 

One of the lessons that Nick learned during his time at Strake Jesuit is the importance of community. "From being thrown in a room for freshman retreat with guys you have never met to becoming a family by senior year. There is nobody in life that deserves to be excluded. We all have a story to tell, and while many might tell it differently, there should always be an ear to listen. I understand people better and can step into their shoes more comfortably." 

As an alumnus, Nick hopes to inspire current students to pursue their passions and create a positive impact in their communities. "Inclusion. It really is as simple as that. We, as a community at Strake Jesuit, are surrounded by a diverse group of students and staff within our gates, but how can we continue? We have a mission to lead by example. We are leaders in our community. Opening eyes to inclusion has grown my heart for people, pushed me to be compassionate, and introduced me to a group of people that I would not typically interact with." 

 

He reflects on the Jesuit Grad at Grad value of “Loving” and how it resonates with him daily. "Love is why I do what I do. I walk into work knowing my employees love their jobs, love working with their friends, love making a great cup of coffee, and love showing off how important they are to our world. This community that I represent emits love everywhere they go. They love me well, and of course, that is going to push me to love well. This space in Boulder, Colorado, is comforting because who doesn’t love to be loved? A simple “Welcome to Bitty & Beau’s” turns a day around because it comes from a place of love. Once you learn to enjoy the little smiles or a note on a cup, love shines and brings forth great attitudes." 

 

Nick's journey from a student at Strake Jesuit to now a leader in his community illustrates the power of love within a Strake Jesuit education. By graduation, Nick had started to forge his own identity and transcend self-interest in relationships. He has encountered acts of love and care from others, which ignited a deep affection for God, his fellow man, and himself. These encounters nurtured his need for meaningful connections and his commitment to fostering love, and he continues to uplift those around him, embodying what it means to be Men for Others.