This month, our executive board along with a few rising leaders in the chapter attended Carlson Leadership Academy in Atlanta, GA. The Carlson Leadership Academy is an interactive leadership program that trains executive members on how to set and achieve goals within their chapters. Not only is it a way to build a vision and create smart goals to achieve this vision, but also a celebration of SigEp chapters around the nation. Brothers at the Atlanta Carlson comprised members from states like Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, and many more.
Mississippi State was honored to receive an Excelsior Award for improvement in recruitment as a testament to our success with our Balanced Man Scholarship. Our Balanced Man scholarship awards $1,000 for any incoming Mississippi State Freshman male with over 400 applicants outstanding applicants this past fall. Overall, Carlson Leadership Academy was an experience of a lifetime to grow and develop personally and fraternally. In his statement below, freshman Cameron Nolin shares why he joined SigEp and what it was like to attend Carlson Leadership Academy:
“My name is Cameron Nolin. I am a freshman chemical engineering student at Mississippi State University. I joined SigEp Fall 2019. It has been the best decision I have made since I entered college. Coming into MSU as an out-of-state student, meeting people and making friends was hard at first. However, that changed when I met several of my future brothers at a field day for the Balanced Man Scholarship. I knew this fraternity was the one for me instantly. I could tell that the relationships I have formed from being in SigEp will last a lifetime.
Our founder’s motto was “This Fraternity will be Different” and that statement still stands true today. We are the only fraternity that offers continuous development throughout college. Through the Balanced Man Program, Ruck Leadership Institute, and the Carlson Leadership Academy, SigEp has created a culture based on life skills and member development. When I learned about the Carlson Experience from brothers who had attended previously, I became interested immediately. I was shocked when I got a text from our President, Noah Booth, asking me if I would like to go to Carlson and attend the Rising Leaders Track.
The Rising Leaders Track was an amazing experience. Meeting brothers from other chapters, networking with alumni, and learning from incredible counselors, changed my outlook on life during and after college. It taught me that anyone could be a leader. Leadership is a trait that everyone is born with, no matter your major, your age, or your background. Being a part of Rising Leaders taught me that I must hold myself accountable and strive for success. It taught me to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. The benefits of Carlson are absolutely worth going. I want to encourage anyone that is interested in going to Carlson to contact their chapter’s exec board to learn more about a program that will change your life.”