Patrick W. McGovern, Indiana ’99, promoted to Assistant Executive Director

Acknowledging his achievements and work to better our fraternity’s record for over a decade, and in a show of confidence and support for his ongoing efforts, the Acacia Fraternity International Council voted unanimously at their 2013 winter meeting to promote Patrick W. McGovern, Indiana ’99, to the position of Assistant Executive Director. Brother McGovern has served since 2006 as Acacia’s first-ever Director of Membership Development, a role in which he led the development and implementation of the Cornerstones membership development program.

Chances are that if you’ve been involved with Acacia at any time over the last decade that Patrick has played some part in that involvement. Brother McGovern has worked on projects spanning multiple areas of fraternity operations, from active chapters to alumni advisors and housing corporation boards, and ranging from internal Acacia Headquarters operations to leadership within the interfraternity community.

"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."

Patrick first joined the Acacia Headquarters staff as a Leadership Consultant in 2003. He immediately embarked on a journey that saw him work with 18 chapters and serve as Expansion Coordinator for the University of Texas and, more recently, University of Colorado Boulder. Since 2009, Patrick has also been a regular facilitator of undergraduate leadership institutes and programs for the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

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 7-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."