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Emerging Leaders Academy
Shaping Future Leaders of KA
Kappa Alpha Order’s Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) is one of the best conferences in the Greek community. It is available to any interested KA brother seeking to lead his chapter. ELA provides a different learning experience in which members of the national staff bring the sessions out of the classroom and into the streets of Lexington. Imagine touring the sites on campus at Washington & Lee University and learning more about our founders and how they started our fraternity. Imagine visiting the graves of Samuel Zenas Ammen and others and talking about their shaping the ritual of the fraternity. Imaging walking the parade ground at Virginia Military Institute and learning about leadership from the lessons of Generals George C. Marshall and George S. Patton. Imagine attending a life-changing experience within your KA membership.
Cole Evans, former Number I of Florida State University, shares, “Going to Lexington and seeing all of the history and tradition at Mulberry Hill and W&L was something I’ll never forget. Meeting other KAs from around the country was also something that made ELA special and gave us a great opportunity to connect with guys from different chapters.”
ELA provides premier leadership training through the small group experience, certified educational sessions and engaging large group presentations. Small groups are led by peers—selected juniors and seniors who have attended ELA before or are current or former chapter leaders. These men come to Lexington and lead teams of 10-12 younger members of the Order. This unique opportunity helps brothers become more engaged in their chapter in the future. Additionally, one entire morning is dedicated to service learning and giving back. More than 300 KA brothers go “into the streets” to aid more than a dozen non-profits and local organizations in the Lexington and Rockbridge County communities.
Cole sums up the experience very well: “ELA is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in being on their chapter’s leadership team in the future or would just like to become more involved. The entire experience provided me with useful information and skills to operate our chapter to the best of my ability once I took over as Number I.”
Over 150 years of Brotherhood…
MEET KA ALUM SCOTT WHITEHEAD
If you ask Scott Whitehead—Alpha Beta ’85—what he cares most about, he’ll be glad to tell you about his faith, his family, and his brotherhood. “Faith guides me,” he says as he considers his life. “It has for many years.” And while Scott’s faith predates his introduction to the Order, he’s quick to point out that the two have built on each other throughout his life. “You don’t have to be a Christian to be a KA, but the Bible is a great guidebook to living life. And KA reinforces that.”
Scott will also happily tell you about his career. Like many, he’s worn more than a few hats, but there is an unmistakable pride when he talks about Chateau Energy Solutions, an energy management organization that serves a wide range of businesses. He started it 30 years ago, and to this day he continues to serve as CEO. “I guess it’s rare these days to find someone who’s been in the same business for that long,” he muses, his voice once again ringing with pride as he considers the fruits of his work.
When he’s not at home or work, though, you can often find Scott out in the Atlanta community, where he spends his time teaching the local youth about leadership. He takes this responsibility – of passing on those values which were instilled in him – very seriously. It’s a bit of a theme in Scott’s life. “It always goes back to KA, especially after being Number 1. There’s no better education around leadership than that KA undergraduate experience.” In addition to forging deep, lifelong friendships and so many fond memories, Scott’s undergrad time with his brothers at the University of Alabama taught him the value of building on the people and personalities around him. About the importance of leadership. And about the value in leaving something better than you found it.
So it’s no surprise that Scott has a ready answer when you ask him why he donates to the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation. “Look at what our Order does for young men interested in leadership. It furthers their desire and capacity to lead. What better purpose could you ever have than lifting up a man with a drive and direction towards leadership? It’s a purpose that’s going to better a young man. And therefore will better his future spouse, kids, employees … Your money has a cumulative effect.” He pauses, considering his words before finishing: “As I look back on my life as a KA, I recognize that by donating to the KAOEF allows the Order to do an even better job training this generation of men than it did for ours. To be even more forward thinking. Better citizens and leaders. If you’ve ever wanted a powerful way to pay it forward, donating to the Foundation is an excellent way to do it.”