At The Ohio State University, leadership can take many forms — student government, ROTC, academic advocacy, and community involvement. For Oliver Griffith, a third-year Biological Engineering major from Centerburg, Ohio, the drive to serve and lead came from a source he didn’t expect when he arrived on campus: his fraternity.
Griffith is a proud member of Pi Kappa Alpha’s Alpha Rho Chapter, and he credits that bond of brotherhood as the catalyst that inspired him to pursue leadership roles on campus, including one of the most influential positions in student government.
“I just completed my term as Speaker of the General Assembly,” Griffith shared. “The brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha and the many other wonderful members of our OSU Greek Life community were fundamental to my elections in SGA.”
The story tracks exactly with what the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) has long demonstrated through research: students in fraternities are more likely to hold leadership positions on campus, more likely to feel a sense of belonging, and more likely to persist toward graduation and life success. Griffith didn’t just participate in student life — his fraternity experience elevated it.
Brotherhood as the Foundation for Leadership
While many students show up to campus searching for confidence, community, and a direction to plug into, Griffith found all three through Pi Kappa Alpha.
“Pi Kappa Alpha has given me the brotherhood that allows me to have the courage to pursue excellence on campus,” Griffith said.
That courage paved the way for an exceptional leadership trajectory — culminating in his role as Speaker of the General Assembly. It also fueled his campaign for Student Body President in spring 2025. Griffith won that election, but due to administrative issues and a canceled vote, a new election was conducted in the fall — one he ultimately did not win. Still, he continued to serve the student body as Speaker, leading the legislative branch with humility, professionalism, and resilience.
It’s the kind of perseverance and character that the fraternity experience develops — and that ultimately shapes leaders not just for college, but for careers and communities.
Policy Advocacy That Put Students First
Griffith’s tenure in student government will be remembered most for his dedication to academic fairness.
His top achievement: championing GPA equity for pre-law students.
Ohio State is one of the few Big Ten institutions that does not offer an A+. Meanwhile, law schools calculate GPA using the A+ scale, leading to OSU applicants being placed at a competitive disadvantage. Griffith worked directly with university leadership to build a framework to correct this and protect OSU students’ futures.
This wasn’t headline-seeking activism — it was thoughtful, student-focused advocacy with real stakes and real impact.
Advice for the Next Generation of Student Leaders
Griffith is quick to encourage younger students — especially fraternity and sorority members — to get involved.
His advice is practical and earned:
- Build a big team — and focus on personal contact. “Most students don’t vote in these elections,” he explained. “The winner is decided by the campaign that has the most supporters asking their friends to vote.”
- Be kind. Be humble. “People are always eager to work with those who have good character.”
- Academics first. “Take your excess time — not academic time — and pour it into one activity you love.”
These are life lessons that transcend student government — and they’re the reason why fraternity men often rise to top leadership roles on campus.
Looking Ahead: Service to Country
After graduation, Griffith hopes to continue his path of service — this time in uniform.
“I am hoping to be a Developmental Engineer in the United States Air Force. I would be blessed for the opportunity to work for a great country in this capacity.”
From campus leadership to public service, his next chapter reflects the same values that began shaping him inside the Alpha Rho Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha.
A Model of the Fraternity Experience Done Right
Oliver Griffith’s story is not just about winning elections or holding titles. It’s about what happens when a student finds a community that challenges them to rise — and a brotherhood that gives them the confidence to lead.
For Griffith, fraternity wasn’t extracurricular. It was the multiplier — the experience that made everything else possible.
And that’s exactly the story the ENGAGE initiative was built to tell.
