Maxwell Simonson, a former student body president at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and a proud member of the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity, exemplifies the remarkable leadership and community impact fostered within his chapter. Founded in 2000, the FAU chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha has consistently demonstrated their commitment to leadership and service, boasting a student body president for six out of the 24 years they have been operational.
PIKE’s Legacy of Leadership
The legacy of leadership within the PIKE chapter at FAU is truly impressive. Here’s a list of recent student body presidents who were members of PIKE:
- 2024-2025: Stefan Andjelkovic
- 2022-2023: Pierce Kennamer
- 2021-2022: Maxwell Simonson
- 2019-2020: Kevin Buchanan
- 2016-2017: Michael Cairo
- 2014: Patrick Callahan
Maxwell Simonson’s Administration
Maxwell Simonson’s tenure as student body president during the 2021-2022 academic year was marked by significant accomplishments and impactful initiatives. Reflecting on his administration, Simonson stated, “My administration’s greatest success was being a state leader for free speech, pro-capitalism, and maximizing student engagement and academics. We received $80 million in state and private funding for new programs and resources, as well as an increase of over 400% in student athletic engagement.”
Simonson credits much of his success to the support and resources provided by his fraternity. “My experience at PIKE truly gave me the friends and backbone for success within student government. Anyone can lead, but not many can succeed. PIKE provided me with an army of support, family, wisdom, and all the resources a leader needs to succeed,” he said.
The PIKE Chapter’s Community Impact
The commitment to leadership and community involvement extends beyond student government. The current chapter president emphasized, “Leadership is one of our core fraternity pillars. We strive to create a group of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen (S.L.A.G.). We take leadership seriously because if we strive to be the best, we must be an example to others and maximize the success of our community and especially our country.”
This ethos is reflected in the chapter’s remarkable community service and philanthropic efforts. The FAU PIKE chapter accumulates over 4,000 hours of community service annually and has donated more than $150,000 to local philanthropies. These efforts demonstrate the fraternity’s dedication to making a positive impact both on and off-campus.
Broader Involvement and Achievements
In addition to their philanthropic work, every member of the PIKE chapter at FAU is involved in other student organizations, with many serving as presidents, directors, and other executive board positions. This broad involvement underscores the fraternity’s commitment to holistic development and leadership across the university community.
A research point from the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) highlights the significant impact of fraternity and sorority life on student development. According to the NIC, students involved in Greek life are more likely to develop leadership skills, engage in community service, and achieve academic success. The achievements of the FAU PIKE chapter exemplify these findings, showcasing how fraternity life can foster leadership, service, and academic excellence.
The Florida Atlantic University chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha continues to set a high standard for leadership and community involvement. Through their dedication to the S.L.A.G. principles and their substantial contributions to the campus and local community, the PIKE brothers at FAU exemplify the true value of fraternity life. Maxwell Simonson’s story, along with the chapter’s ongoing achievements, highlights the transformative power of fraternity involvement in shaping leaders and making a positive impact on society.
