Van Laeken named Dr. Phillip M. Summers Student of the Year Award Recipient

Auden Van Laeken, Alpha Sigma (Tennessee), is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Phillip M. Summers Student of the Year Award. Since joining Pi Kappa Phi in 2022, Van Laeken has been a strong leader of both his chapter and the Tennessee Interfraternity Council, shaping the culture of Greek Life on his campus through his commitment to accountability, transparency and values-based leadership.

As archon, Van Laeken guided Alpha Sigma through remarkable growth, from less than 30 men when he joined to more than 150 brothers, all while maintaining a commitment to integrity and collaboration with university partners. His influence extended beyond Pi Kappa Phi as he transformed IFC policies and practices, including launching educational judicial reforms and leading the introduction of BYOB event checks to strengthen health and safety across the community.

Van Laeken’s leadership has been widely recognized. In 2025, he was honored with the Wayne S. Colvin Change Maker Award by the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values and named one of the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Undergraduate Award of Distinction recipients. On campus, he earned the IFC Pillar Award and IFC Person of the Year distinction, affirming his impact as a leader who motivates others to serve and elevates the broader fraternity community. Balancing these responsibilities with a rigorous academic schedule, Van Laeken exemplifies what it means to be a leader and a Pi Kappa Phi brother.