Volunteers make the Leadership Institute a program for chapter success
At the 2025 Pilam Leadership Institute, a small group of alumni volunteers donated their time and expertise to coach the next generation of Pilam leaders to individual success and chapter longevity. This year’s facilitators included alumni from Wisconsin, California Merced, Illinois, Lehigh, Baldwin Wallace, Temple, Florida Tech, Florida, and Penn State.
The Leadership Institute (LI) has become one of the most impactful programs for chapter and undergraduate development. The four-day crash course teaches leadership qualities to chapter leaders, and unlike classroom or lecture-based learning, the institute takes an immersive, hands-on approach to teaching the principles of good leadership.
Alumni volunteers make the leadership program work
Here’s what some of our volunteers had to say about their Leadership Institute experience.
Jim Kelsh – Temple ’75
Jim Kelsh (Temple ’75) was a first time volunteer at the 2025 Leadership Institute who was well-suited as a facilitator. Recently retired, he spent the last 20 years as a sales trainer and meeting facilitator for Comcast. He also has a life-long dedication to Pi Lambda Phi saying, “I’m always driven by our motto, and try to give back when I can.”
Jim said his four-day adventure began when he drove to what he jokingly referred to as, “Ankle Scratch, PA.” He arrived at Camp Bryn Mawr (actually in Honesdale, PA) and was pleasantly surprised at the facilities remarking, “The camp staff and accommodations were great. Thank God I didn’t have to bring a sleeping bag. ”
Jim remarked that the undergraduates were, “very genial and dedicated to what they could get out of the week. They came ready to do what needed to be done to learn about fraternity and leadership.”
The curriculum not only invited open dialog between brothers from other chapters, but it introduced mental and physical challenges that encouraged problem solving and teamwork. Jim said, “everything came back to ‘how do we use this exercise to build leadership?’”
He said the Leadership Institute, “was well-intentioned, well-managed, organized, and well worth it. Ian, Calvin, and the rest of the professional staff kept it moving and were quick to adapt to challenges.”
Jonathan Reynoso – California Merced ’18
“I volunteered because the men of Pi Lambda Phi played a pivotal role in shaping my life. Their poise and maturity offered a vision of leadership and character that I could strive toward.
Having had the chance to give back and serve as that same stepping stone for younger brothers, I find my own passion for leadership and service reignited. I strongly encourage every career-focused alumnus to set aside a week and attend the Leadership Institute. Invest in your brothers and in your own character. Bring your candle back to the eternal flame.”
Devin Basile – Baldwin Wallace ’12
“Volunteering for the Leadership Institute is a tremendous opportunity for alumni to reengage with the organization and leave inspired with the direction of the fraternity. Students and facilitators alike learn about frameworks and approaches that are applicable, not only in the chapter house, but to everyday life.
If this year’s attendees were an accurate representation of our undergraduate membership, Pilam and her chapters are in good hands for many semesters to come. As I continue my lifelong membership, things begin to take on greater meanings, and it is a privilege to continue to give back to an organization that has provided me so much.”
Alan Brown, H.B. – Florida Tech ’99
“The Leadership Institute clicked for me about a day in. It teaches leadership principles by making them specific and concrete, having you live them through small groups. I think I learned as much as the actives did. What an experience! I’m glad my chapter urged me to do it.”
Rich Melgarejo – Florida ’08
“I decided to volunteer for the Leadership Institute because I wanted to help shape our fraternity and lead men for our future. I wanted to be an active participant in how we educated and passed on the Pi Lam tradition. I had a great time team building and the HQ was well organized and made it simple for alumni to be involved. The facilities were great and it opened the door for facilitators to have input.”
Mike Panek – Penn State
“My experience as a Pilam has remained the source of connection and brotherhood that was promised when I pledged. Our fraternity ensures a rich, vital, and supportive connection that lasts, ‘not for four years, but a lifetime.’ My brothers from PA Omega Delta remain some of my closest friends, and we still stay in contact and support each other in life’s events. I mentioned to our group that we still manage to get together after decades that have passed. This came as a surprise to our mentees, who seemed to be encouraged by this knowledge. Through my involvement as a volunteer, I discovered the same connections with brothers from other chapters across the country.
I believe that our younger brothers should continue to benefit as I have from all that Pilam has given to me. I do what I can to ensure that this continues in the decades to come. This conference was well-researched, well-run, and the topics discussed were very appropriate to the needs of individuals at this life stage. I was honored to have participated in this year’s Leadership Institute.”
Thank you to our volunteers and support staff!
Alumni like these volunteers, provide a living example of giving back to and demonstrating lifelong dedication and service to Pi Lambda Phi. Without brothers like this, an ambitious and successful undertaking like the Leadership Institute would not be possible. Thank you to our 2025 Leadership Institute volunteers!
Pilam would also like to thank the HQ and Foundation staff, the Camp Bryn Mawr staff, and the non-Pilam facilitators for contributing their expertise.
Please volunteer to build the next generation of Pi Lambda Phi leaders
If you are interested in playing a role in next year’s Leadership Institute, please contact us.