At Greek University, we believe in the leadership of fraternity and sorority members. Since 2015, our award-winning speaking and consulting team has changed behavior in the long term and created safer campuses by leveraging the leadership in fraternities and sororities with an optimal balance of challenge and support. Our favorite moment? Watching all the ‘ahas’ go off in student’s minds as we help them solve problems with our campus keynote presentations, leadership conferences, workshops, research, and books. This form of student engagement correlates positively to student learning, student success, retention, and degree completion. To learn more, please visit greekuniversity.org.

Client Relationship Story:

Dr. Michael Ayalon and his team at Greek University are determined to help end hazing, among many other initiatives to help grow fraternity and sorority life and help to protect our members and guests over the next decade. In the first quarter of 2025, Dr. Ayalon took a new and more intimate approach to hazing prevention in the form of interactive chapter workshops versus the more traditional keynote presentations. Hazing prevention workshops included Alpha Delta Phi at the University of Chicago, Zeta Beta Tau at Penn State University, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Michigan State University. The chapters analyzed the origins of hazing, described why hazing happens, reviewed the progression of hazing-related media coverage over the last decade, summarized the new federal hazing laws covered in the Stop Campus Hazing Act, identified campus reporting mechanisms, practiced bystander intervention strategies, and produced substitute activities that promoted brotherhood.

Client Feedback:

“Dr. Michael Ayalon recently delivered a powerful and eye-opening hazing prevention workshop for the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at Michigan State University. Grounded in the findings of his recently defended dissertation, ‘The Early Warning Signs of Hazing in College Fraternities and Sororities,’ Dr. Ayalon’s presentation was both comprehensive and deeply engaging.

“The session offered critical historical context around hazing, explored its continued presence in campus culture, and—most importantly—equipped attendees with actionable strategies to drive meaningful change. Dr. Ayalon skillfully guided participants in identifying early warning signs of hazing, understanding key federal legislation such as the Stop Campus Hazing Act, and creating alternative chapter traditions that foster brotherhood without harm.

“The interactive nature of the workshop encouraged reflection and dialogue, allowing our members to assess what is working well within the chapter, what areas need improvement, and how Sigma Alpha Epsilon can take a leadership role in hazing prevention efforts at MSU in the coming year.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Ayalon for sharing his time, knowledge, and encouragement with our chapter. His insights and practical guidance have already begun influencing positive cultural shifts among our members. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive — describing the session as valuable, relevant, actionable, inspiring, and engaging.

“We wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Ayalon to any organization or campus community seeking to make a lasting impact in the areas of hazing prevention, leadership development, and organizational culture change.”

– Steadman Boston, Director of Risk Management for Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity

Key Findings of Dr. Ayalon’s Research:

• Inconsistencies in hazing definitions, activities, and organizational values.
• The necessity of building trust and ensuring early intervention.
• Limited funding and capacity within Fraternity and Sorority Life offices.
• A lack of comprehensive data within the profession.
• The emotional burden placed on Student Affairs professionals.
• Hazing laws are being circumvented by outsourcing case resolutions.

Implications for Institutional Policy:

• Increased awareness of federal hazing laws.
• Encouraging students to report hazing incidents.
• Establishing hazing prevention task forces with campus-wide representation.
• Creating transparency in hazing reports across universities and national organizations.
• Developing a national database for fraternity/sorority members to advocate for change.
• Allocating more resources and staffing for Fraternity and Sorority Life offices.
• Implementing hazing prevention education in K-12 schools.

Benefits of Membership in Fraternities and Sororities:

• Significant, positive direct relationships with student engagement
• Strong positive indirect relationships with self-reports of learning
• Higher levels of interaction with people different from themselves
• Providing a proven student retention tool for institutions
• More likely to be engaged in community service
• More student-faculty interaction

Getting More Information on the Latest Research:

Greek University interviewed student affairs professionals from all over the country at both private and public institutions. Download “The Early Warning Signs of Hazing in College Fraternities and Sororities” here.

Making an Impact:

Sharing the latest research on hazing prevention with our members is important. Students don’t often understand the definitions of hazing, bystander intervention techniques for their campus, replacement activities, or why the hazing activity does not actually get them the solidarity they seek in their chapter. Our team of hazing prevention experts have done chapter workshops over the last six months for various fraternities that have changed their new member process as a result. One undergraduate member from Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Michigan State said, “He is a very passionate and engaging speaker. I think many brothers in our chapter where changed from the conversation.” Another undergraduate member from the same chapter said, “We learned many things about what’s actually happening which helped me open my eyes and realize it. We also were very interactive and we worked together.”

Our team of speakers and consultants are ready to help your members, whether that be at your conventions, leadership conferences, or even on a chapter level. Visit our website for more information: greekuniversity.org   

At Boardable, we’re more than just a software provider; we are a committed partner to educational foundations dedicated to making a lasting impact. Born from firsthand experiences in nonprofit board management, we deeply understand the unique challenges faced by educational foundations — ranging from engaging diverse stakeholders to managing complex governance structures. Our platform is designed to remove operational friction, allowing you to focus more on your educational mission. 

By streamlining your board’s activities, Boardable enables you to focus on what truly matters — enhancing educational outcomes. We simplify meeting management, centralize critical documents, and improve communication, empowering you to operate more effectively and engage deeply with your strategic goals. Whether organizing on the ground or crafting high-level strategies, Boardable adapts to your needs, ensuring every decision supports your organization’s objectives. 

A Story of Impact: Indiana University Alumni Association’s Journey with Boardable 

The Indiana University Alumni Association (IUAA) faced significant challenges in managing its widespread board, comprising over 100 members who played crucial roles in shaping the organization’s direction. Prior to adopting Boardable, IUAA struggled with inefficiencies that hampered its decision-making and engagement processes, primarily due to the geographical dispersion of its board members and the cumbersome nature of its previous management tools. 

Here is a breakdown of the challenges that IUAA was facing without a board management solution: 

• Dispersed Membership: With board members spread across various locations, coordinating meetings and ensuring high participation was a logistical nightmare. 
• Inefficient Communication: The reliance on multiple tools for different aspects of board management, such as email for communication and separate services for document storage, led to disjointed interactions and information silos. 
• Lack of Engagement: The cumbersome processes and scattered information flow made it difficult for board members to stay engaged and actively participate in decision-making. 

Boardable stepped in as a comprehensive solution that transformed the way IUAA managed its board. The platform’s ability to centralize communication, documents, and scheduling in one intuitive interface profoundly changed the organization’s operations. 

1. Centralized Information Hub: Boardable was a single source of truth for all board-related information. This centralization helped eliminate the chaos of email chains and multiple document versions, making it easier for members to quickly find and refer to pertinent information. 
2. Enhanced Meeting Management: The platform streamlined meeting scheduling and management. Features like the meeting scheduler, agenda builder, and minute taker simplified the logistics of organizing meetings, which was particularly beneficial for a board as large as IUAA’s. 
3. Increased Member Engagement: Tools designed to facilitate discussion and decision-making, such as polls and discussion boards, allowed board members to easily contribute their thoughts and vote on key issues regardless of their physical location. This feature was crucial in fostering a sense of involvement and community among the members. 

The transformation was evident almost immediately. The IUAA board members report significantly improving their ability to stay informed and contribute meaningfully to the organization. Boardable’s intuitive nature reduced the learning curve, allowing members to adapt and utilize the platform’s full capabilities quickly. 

This case exemplifies how Boardable’s specialized features can address the specific challenges faced by educational foundations like IUAA, transforming cumbersome processes into streamlined, engaging, and effective board management experiences. By partnering with Boardable, the Indiana University Alumni Association not only overcame logistical hurdles but also elevated the impact of their governance practices. 

Why Boardable Stands Out for Educational Foundations 

Our expertise with nonprofits, especially educational organizations, enables us to offer a platform that intuitively meets your needs. Boardable is designed to be inclusive, accommodating diverse communication styles and technical skills, ensuring every board member is engaged, regardless of location. 

We pride ourselves on our user-friendly software, which empowers organizations like yours to: 

• Streamline Management: Efficiently organize meetings, documents, and communications. 
• Enhance Engagement: Utilize intuitive tools to improve collaboration among members. 
• Maintain Governance Standards: Achieve and uphold high compliance and governance standards with ease. 

Partner with us on Your Board Journey

Are you ready to enhance your board’s effectiveness and focus more on achieving your organizational goals? Start with a 14-day free trial and discover firsthand how Boardable can transform your board management. Visit our website to explore our solutions, read inspiring success stories, and begin your journey toward more streamlined board management. 

Whether you want to manage your board more efficiently or engage more deeply with your mission, Boardable is here to help. For an in-depth look at our platform, check out our latest feature updates or connect with our team directly. We’re here to support you every step of the way, making your board management tasks smoother and more impactful. 

INDIANAPOLIS, June 19, 2024 – The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is pleased to announce two 2024 Gold Medal honorees: Allen W. Groves and Dr. Richard N. McKaig. 

One of the oldest traditions of the NIC, the presentation of the Gold Medal dates to 1940. The Gold Medal is presented for lifelong service to the interfraternal community and is the highest interfraternal honor the NIC can bestow. 

Allen Groves is an ardent supporter of the fraternal experience. He began his membership journey in 1979 when he was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha’s Delta Upsilon chapter at Stetson University; following graduation, he spent time on the PIKE staff, quickly rising to the role of Executive Director, serving from 1984-87. After his tenure at Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Headquarters, he began a 16-year career as a litigation attorney, over time becoming nationally recognized for his work.  

Upon retiring from his legal career, Groves seamlessly transitioned back to student affairs at the University of Virginia where he served in various capacities for 15 years. In 2021, Allen began serving as Syracuse University’s Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer.   

“Allen has provided encouragement, comfort, wise counsel and at times tough love to more fraternity men than one could possibly remember. In my over 25 years working with fraternities and fraternity men, there are very few men who match both the experience, character and intellect of Allen Groves.” said Justin Buck, Pi Kappa Alpha Executive Vice President and Chair of the NIC Governing Council. 

Above and beyond his professional roles supporting the fraternal experience, Groves boasts an extensive volunteer resume. His service spans 10 years on Pi Kappa Alpha’s International Fraternity Supreme Council, including as International President from 2004-06; six years on the NIC Board of Directors, serving as Board Chairman from 2012-14; Virginia’s Governor’s Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Assault from 2014-15; Stetson University College of Arts & Sciences Board from 2013-18; and more. 

A staunch advocate for fraternity, Dr. Richard N. McKaig, a Delta Chi initiate from Ball State University, worked tirelessly to advance the fraternal experience throughout his impressive 40-year career in higher education. Retiring from Indiana University in 2009 as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the impact of his leadership can still be seen throughout IU, Delta Chi and the interfraternal community.  

While at Indiana University, Dr. McKaig was instrumental in the work of the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity, serving as its executive director for more than 30 years. In his role with the Center, he advocated for the need to research the benefits of the fraternity and sorority community. Today, the Piazza Center at Pennsylvania State University builds off the research and work of the Center that he so carefully stewarded. Additionally, for more than 35 years, Dr. McKaig served as the Director of the Interfraternity Institute (IFI), a program co-sponsored between the Fraternity Executives Association and IU, mentoring hundreds of campus and interfraternity leaders. 

“Dr. Richard McKaig is the most committed and ardent supporter of the fraternity community, and he embodies the qualifications of the NIC Gold Medal. His 40 years of service has elevated the fraternity experience by using research, collaboration, and good will,” wrote Patrick Alderdice, Delta Chi’s International President, and Karl Grindel, Delta Chi’s Executive Director & CEO, in support of his nomination. 

In addition to serving the interfraternal community, Dr. McKaig’s volunteer leadership to Delta Chi includes two terms on the Fraternity’s Board of Regents; serving as an advisor to the Educational Foundation for 20 years; and co-chairing the President’s Anti-Hazing Task Force. 

The NIC is thrilled to honor Allen Groves and Dr. Richard McKaig with Gold Medals and looks forward to recognizing them alongside their respective organizations this summer. 

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Founded in 1909, the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is a trade association that represents national and international men’s fraternities, including a diverse range of culturally and religious-based organizations, on campuses in the United States and Canada. The NIC is committed to supporting opportunities for young men to seek and form positive, enriching fraternal bonds. The health and safety of students guides our advocacy, standards and education. 

Media Contact: awards@nicfraternity.org