New Executive Director named

On Saturday, August 3, 2013, during the closing banquet of the 10th biennial Acacia Leadership Academy, the Acacia Fraternity International Council appointed Patrick W. McGovern, Indiana ’99 as the seventh Executive Director in Acacia’s 109-year history. The announcement was met with vigorous applause by all in attendance -- undergraduates representing nearly all Acacia chapters and colonies, Council members, Foundation Directors, and the Headquarters staff.

Brother McGovern’s work with Acacia has spanned multiple areas of fraternity operations over the past decade. Most recently, Patrick served as Assistant Executive Director and led day-to-day fraternity operations after the Executive Director’s position became vacant in May 2013. Patrick also served as Acacia’s first-ever Director of Membership Development from 2006 to 2013 and before that as a Leadership Consultant in 2003. Today, Brother McGovern represents Acacia in the interfraternity world as a facilitator at events such the North-American Interfraternity Conference's UIFI and IMPACT programs.

"My vision is for Acacia to remain relevant, sustainable, distinctive, and leadership-oriented for generations to come. The pathway to that reality is by way of values-based decision-making, continual learning, and integrity."

Acacia has recognized Brother McGovern’s achievements with the Award of Merit, Order of Pythagoras, and, as an undergraduate, the Roy C. Clark Award. He served the Indiana Chapter as Venerable Dean and Recruitment Chairman and received numerous chapter awards and scholarships. Patrick graduated from Indiana University in May 2002 with a B.S. in Public Affairs with a specialization in Management, and he currently lives in his hometown of Indianapolis with his wife Carrie and 11-month old daughter, Ruby.

Says Brother McGovern, "we are fortunate to have the opportunity to be a force for goodness in the fraternity world, in our communities, and in our relationships with others. Let’s challenge ourselves to be excellent in every way possible, and let’s remain humble that we may always recognize opportunities for improvement."

Patrick may be reached by email at pmcgovern@acacia.org.