Syracuse Sun

Allen W. Groves, the University’s senior vice president and chief student experience officer, was recently named a 2024 Gold Medal honoree by the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), an association of 58 international men’s fraternities.

The Gold Medal, which dates to 1940, is presented for lifelong service to the interfraternal community and is the highest interfraternal honor the NIC bestows. In an NIC press release announcing the award, Groves was called an “ardent supporter of the fraternal experience.”

“I’ve always believed the fraternity and sorority experience can be a very positive part of a student’s involvement outside the classroom when it’s undertaken consistent with each organization’s expressed values and the host institution’s policies,” says Groves. “I know it was a transformative experience for me as a student and I formed many strong friendships that have lasted a lifetime.”

“Allen has provided encouragement, comfort, wise counsel and at times tough love to more fraternity men than one could possibly remember. In my over 25 years working with fraternities and fraternity men, there are very few men who match both the experience, character and intellect of Allen Groves,” says Justin Buck, Pi Kappa Alpha executive vice president and chair of the NIC Governing Council.

Groves was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha’s (PIKE) Delta Upsilon chapter at Stetson University in 1979. Following graduation, he spent time on the PIKE staff and served as executive director from 1984-87. Groves holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Following his tenure with PIKE, he embarked upon a 16-year career as a litigation attorney, in which he was nationally recognized for his work.

After retiring from his legal career, Groves transitioned back to student affairs at the University of Virginia, where he served as the university’s dean of students for 14 years. In 2021, he became Syracuse University’s senior vice president and chief student experience officer. In his role, he oversees more than 20 operational units dedicated to the student experience.

Groves’ service spans 10 years on Pi Kappa Alpha’s International Fraternity Supreme Council, including as international president from 2004-06; six years on the NIC Board of Directors, serving as board chairman from 2012-14; Virginia's Governor's Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Assault from 2014-15; and Stetson University College of Arts and Sciences Board from 2013-18; among other affiliations.

Richard N. McKaig, retired vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students at Indiana University, was also named a Gold Medal honoree.