Liam Thumser, a member of Delta Chi at Lake Forest College, is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Spanish with a minor in Legal Studies—and he’s already making a significant impact on campus leadership. Originally from East Dubuque, Illinois, Liam currently serves as President of the Student Government Association (SGA), where he has led one of the most productive semesters in the organization’s history, passing a record number of bills and overseeing the election of the largest SGA senate to date.
Liam credits his fraternity experience with helping shape his leadership style and preparing him for campus-wide service. Through Delta Chi, he gained hands-on experience in alumni engagement, committee oversight, conflict management, budgeting, and administrative leadership—skills that directly translated to his success in student government. While his fraternity community provided strong support and accountability during his SGA campaign, Liam emphasized that his focus was always on representing the entire student body.
A strong believer in accessible and authentic leadership, Liam’s advice for aspiring student leaders is simple: listen first. “You have to be available to the people you represent,” he says. His approach to governance centers on transparency, data-driven decision-making, and building strong relationships with both students and administrators. Under his leadership, SGA operates with a clear motto—Represent. Engage. Act.—a standard that every senator can articulate and apply.
Looking ahead, Liam plans to pursue a career in law, with a particular interest in the intersection of governance, neuroscience, and healthcare. His message to future leaders is clear: don’t feel bound by tradition. Create your own leadership style, hold people accountable with empathy, and make space for both impact and enjoyment along the way.
