The Highest Effort Award is presented to J. Ryan O’Rourke on the 6th day of December 2024 by the Supreme Council of Sigma Alpha Epsilon in recognition of his achievements in the field of higher education.
Brother O’Rourke has served the nonprofit and association management profession for nearly 20 years, most notably as the Executive Director of the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values, where he has impacted the lives of over 35,000 fraternity and sorority members from more than 300 campuses and organizations. He previously served at Western Michigan University and Florida Atlantic University, supporting Fraternity and Sorority Life. He served the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors from 2012-2014 as the Director of Education and Curriculum Design.
He served Sigma Alpha Epsilon from 2021-2023 as a member of its Higher Education Trends Committee. He has been recognized by the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors with the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award.
