Carlson Leadership Academy 2024 was a success for the WI-Theta Chapter. The Undergraduate chapter was recognized with the Donald C. McCleary Membership Development Award, while the Alumni and Volunteer Corporation was recognized with the Sunago Mentorship Excellence Award!
On top of the hardware, everyone in attendance left with valuable lessons from the different development tracks presented by SigEp HQ. Check out the different takeaways from each brother!
Brother Parker Kirklewski, Undergraduate President: “Immersed in the President’s track at our Carlson Leadership Academy, I cultivated profound insights into strategic leadership, refined communication techniques, and adept organizational stewardship. From sharpening my decision-making acumen to nurturing cohesion among members, this experience has fortified me with the poise and acumen to steer our fraternity toward its highest aspirations.”
Brother Ty Meyer, Undergraduate Vice President of Programming: “My time at CLA was very insightful. I gained invaluable connections and insights with other chapters and learned how they structure their committees. The biggest thing I learned was how to motivate all classes to get involved with events.”
Brother CJ Meier, Undergraduate Chaplin: “It was very interesting hearing other chapters perspective about things. I am very excited to start the new Rite of Passage because I think it is a good step in going back to the way that it was done before.”
Brother Josh Hua, Undergraduate Vice President of SLC: ” Thanks to CLA, I was able to learn more about my role as VP SLC. I was also able to bring back plenty of new ideas from connecting with other chapters.”
Brother Nate Strandberg, Undergraduate Vice President of Recruitment: “CLA was a great experience; the recruitment track was a great way to learn from the larger chapters and take some critical information back to our chapter. Overall, CLA was a phenomenal experience to see what the grand chapter offers. The connections made between chapters will be helpful for the chapter’s future.”
Brother Ryan Bergeman, Undergraduate Vice President of Member Development: “CLA was a great experience, I was both comforted knowing that other VPMD’s ran into similar difficulties as we do in Platteville and glad that we were given plenty of ways to solve them. Hearing about other views on the BMP Pilot was very insightful as well as sharing the special approaches we are taking.”
Brother Andy Mills, Undergraduate Vice President of Communications: “Going to CLA for the second time, with the first time being last year under the rising leader track, and this year being on the Vice President of Communications track, I have gained a lot of insight from the program. With the resources that nationals provided me, and information I learned from some very successful chapters in Communications like Drake University and Valpo, I learn to apply these skills to Platteville to represent our brand better, and ultimately to push the chapter to RAISE YOUR BAR!”
Brother Brody Dawson, Undergraduate Senior: “Learning about the 5 different types of leadership styles at CLA was really eye opening as it made me reflect on what kind of leader I am to those around me and how I can improve as a leader knowing that there’s a certain style I tend to stick with the most, and what other leadership styles I can “dip my toes into” as well. One of my favorite takeaways from the weekend at CLA was a quote from one of the guest speakers that made me reflect on my actions, “Busy is the new Stupid” as you shouldn’t always be on your phone and claiming you can’t do anything productive because you’re “busy” all the time.”
Brother Pedro McComish, Undergraduate Freshman: “CLA was awesome. I went through the rising leader track and it was definitely an experience I will not forget in the long run. From hearing from all different perspectives to finding my own path in SigEp. It was interesting all around to hear how other chapters were and how they handled problems. Super inspiring stuff!”