At Sigma Alpha Epsilon, we often say that an advisor is the quiet force that steadies the ship, supports the collegian brothers, and teaches the next generation how to lead with integrity. This month, we are proud to spotlight a brother who embodies that calling in every sense: Brother Sam Waite, Advisor of the Month from Florida Sigma at the University of West Florida.
His story is not just a recognition of outstanding service; it is an invitation to alumni across the Realm to see how meaningful, manageable, and deeply rewarding chapter advising can be.
When Florida Sigma faced a challenging time a few semesters ago, the chapter needed a brother who could not only help restore operations but also rebuild confidence, structure, and pride. What they found was Sam. Initially unsure whether he would ever step into advising, Sam became involved when conversations among alumni and house corporation leaders made one thing clear: The chapter needed a leader, not just an alumnus who would be “one of the guys.”
With decades of experience in frontline, middle management, and senior leadership, Sam recognized that this was not a professional environment; it was a group of young men navigating independence for the first time. His job was not to boss them around; it was to mentor, guide, challenge, and develop.
“I adjusted the skillset I learned in my career,” he shared, “and remembered that these are young men. This is their first foray into the world without parents. You set expectations, support them, and hold them accountable.”
Leadership With Purpose
When asked what guidance he would give to new or prospective advisors, Sam’s message was clear:
1. Use Your Resources.
From the Fraternity Service Center to fellow alumni, no advisor is expected to do the work alone.
2. Take Charge When a Chapter Needs Rebuilding.
That means stepping into areas such as finance, leadership development, officer mentoring, and accountability. Sam echoed this message by stating, “You assess talent, give responsibilities, and let them grow. They must have real successes. When they fail, help them understand and improve.”
3. Live the Ritual and Expect Them to Do the Same.
Sam emphasized the importance of “insisting on training, preparation, respect for process, and consistency in values.”
These aren’t just tips; they’re a blueprint for alumni who want to make an impact but do not know where to begin.
Balancing Advising, Life, and Family
One of the biggest misconceptions about advising is that it consumes your entire life. Sam’s experience proves otherwise. While the first months required heavy lifting to rebuild the chapter, the workload naturally shifted as the chapter stabilized. Today, he attends key meetings, meets regularly with the Eminent Archon and Treasurer, and provides strategic guidance, without needing to micromanage.
Sam notes that the key to balancing it all is simple: family support. He credits his wife as a partner in his advising journey. “She loves the fraternity and has gotten to know the boys. She sees they are good young men who need leadership.”
This partnership shows alumni everywhere that chapter advising isn’t an isolating commitment; it can be a shared investment, a shared joy, and even a shared source of pride.
Wins Worth Celebrating
Sam’s leadership, with the help of the other advisors and the house corporation, has produced tangible, measurable change. When Sam first stepped into the advisor role, Florida Sigma was at a low point. The chapter navigated sanctions, rebuilt its infrastructure, and worked to overcome significant debt. Sam’s first year became a marathon; untangling mismanagement, reopening accounts, reconstructing operational systems, rebuilding officer structures, and restoring basic chapter functions that had long been neglected.
Today, the chapter stands in a completely different place. Financially solvent, organizationally strong, fully engaged, and steadily growing, Florida Sigma has transformed from a struggling chapter into a disciplined, values-driven chapter with momentum and pride. Their turnaround is a rarity in the fraternity world, a true comeback story, made possible by focused leadership, relentless perseverance, and the clear, steady guidance Sam brought to the chapter at every step.
What Advising Gives Back
When asked what advising has given him in return, Sam described something profound: “It’s not vicarious living,” he said. “I take great pleasure in seeing young people develop. I love seeing them grow into their skills and leadership.” That joy mirrors the experiences Sam once watched his own father have while mentoring Scouts. It’s a legacy, one Sam continues, and one any alumnus can take part in.
A Call to Alumni: Your Leadership Matters
Sam’s story proves:
You don’t need decades of advising experience. You don’t need to be retired.
You don’t need to have all the answers on day one.
You don’t need to sacrifice your family life.
You only need a willingness to mentor, a commitment to our Ritual, and a desire to help young men succeed. Every chapter deserves a Sam Waite. Every brother has the potential to become one. Sam’s journey is an example, an inspiration, and a reminder that advising doesn’t just shape chapters, it shapes lives.
To Brother Sam Waite: Thank you for your leadership, your heart, and your unwavering dedication to Florida Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Interested in advising? Click here to learn how.
Want to nominate an advisor who deserves recognition? Click here!
