91ɬ��’s Associate Dean of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Francisco M. Lugo, Ed.D., was named one of five recipients of the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors’ (AFA) 2026 Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award.

“If you had told this kid from San Juan, Puerto Rico, that one day he would be in Chicago receiving the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award, I’m not sure he would have believed you,” Lugo explained. “My fraternity and sorority journey began in the Midwest, first at the University of Dayton and later as a new professional at Miami University. Returning to the Midwest for this recognition during AFA’s 50th anniversary makes it a truly full-circle moment.” 

Presented annually, the award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of AFA through membership and volunteer service while also contributing broadly to the fraternity and sorority profession or its body of knowledge. The 2026 recognition is especially significant as AFA celebrates its 50th anniversary and five decades of service to the fraternity and sorority profession.

Lugo, who has served the students of Georgia Southern since 2013, has spent more than a decade strengthening and advancing the University’s vibrant fraternity and sorority community.

“I’m most proud of the community we have built at Georgia Southern and the students and advisors who continue to shape it. Their commitment to leadership, service, mentorship and something larger than themselves is what makes our fraternity and sorority community so vibrant,” Lugo said. 

His dedication to the fraternity and sorority profession extends beyond Georgia Southern. He has served on the AFA Board of Directors and held leadership roles with the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). He currently serves as Chair of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community. 

Lugo is also a member of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He previously served as the executive director and now serves on the fraternity’s Board of Trustees and as a trustee for The 1931 Foundation, its educational foundation. Additionally, in 2025, Sigma Nu Fraternity named him Campus Advisor of the Year for his work with Georgia Southern’s Theta Kappa Chapter. 

He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New England as well as a Master of Education in College Student Personnel and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communication from the University of Dayton.

Recipients will be recognized beginning on Monday, Oct. 5, during AFA’s Awards and Recognition Week. Toward the end of the year, awards will be presented to each winner at the AFA Annual Meeting in Chicago from Dec. 2 to 5. 

Lugo said, “This recognition allows me to reflect on the people and experiences that have shaped my journey while also motivating me to keep moving the work forward. I’m excited about the continued growth of fraternity and sorority life at Georgia Southern and the opportunity to help students find belonging, develop as leaders and make a meaningful impact.” 

Some students come to college determined to earn their degree. Spring graduate Jaylee Kilgo was determined to leave a legacy.

Arriving on 91ɬ��’s campus, Kilgo already loved storytelling. Michael Van Wagenen, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of History, showed her how a degree in history could help her preserve and share stories in a meaningful way.

“Dr. Van Wagenen showed me all the things I could do with a history degree,” she said. “I had already been thinking about changing my major, and I felt like it was a sign. He helped me get an internship and really changed the direction of my education.”

Through her program, she received hands-on experience in research, preservation and interpretation of historical artifacts. Kilgo was especially drawn to projects featuring the stories of influential women at Georgia Southern. Her drive to uncover and share overlooked stories served as a defining part of her collegiate experience, leading her to work on projects including Georgia Brown Watson, the and a World War II memorial.

“One of my favorite things has been preserving the history of Georgia Southern,” she said. “I want students years from now to still have the opportunity to learn about the people and stories that helped shape this institution.”

Kilgo took her passion for history further by studying abroad at Georgia Southern’s Learning Center in Wexford, Ireland.

“Ireland was unlike anything I had ever experienced,” she said. “That was the first time I’d been abroad. The architecture is just absolutely beautiful in Ireland, and being able to walk to class while also walking in the middle of a town was really cool and unique to experience.”

While in Wexford, Kilgo attended classes and took educational excursions throughout Ireland. The unique structure allowed her to connect classroom lessons directly to real-world applications.

“Being able to learn about something in the classroom and then go see it for yourself was incredible,” she said. “Learning hands-on from the native Irish communities and experiencing their history, culture and landscapes was extraordinary.”

Kilgo never expected her college path to include so many opportunities for leadership, research and service, but she seized each one that came her way. From studying abroad in Ireland to serving as a Southern Ambassador, earning a role as Panhellenic president and preserving University history through archival projects with , she met every chance with open arms.

“I’ve lived every single day to the fullest that I could,” she said. “I have no regrets about my time here at Georgia Southern.”

Her engagement, including work with the , helped her appreciate just how special the Georgia Southern community really is. It was that bond to the Georgia Southern community that became the foundation for her experience.

She credits faculty members Howard Keeley, Ph.D., Brian Feltman, Ph.D., William (Bill) Allison, Ph.D., and Shana Bridges, Ph.D., as well as her advisors and staff members Daniel McBurney and Megan Bowen, and the teams within Special Collections and Fraternity and Sorority Life, as key to her success. From helping her navigate graduate school applications to supporting her research ideas or simply assuring her that she is doing amazing things, these mentors were crucial to her.

“There were plenty of times I would walk into someone’s office and just need guidance,” she said. “The people at Georgia Southern are always willing to help.”

When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Kilgo doesn’t point to titles or accomplishments, but to her impact.

“I want to leave behind a legacy of someone warm and kind, but also made a difference in the people around her,” she said. “Having the opportunity to continue to have an impact on the institution through preserving Georgia Southern history and that potentially being a learning outcome for someone years down the road, that’s what I want to leave a legacy of.”

Having crossed the stage at commencement, Kilgo leaves not only with a history degree and a communication studies minor, but also with a collection of memories. As she prepares for graduate school in Tennessee, she believes it is time to carry the impact of Eagle Nation beyond her home state of Georgia.

“My impact has already been made here,” she said. “Now it is time for me to go do that somewhere else.”

As for future students searching for their place on campus, her advice is simple.

“Just do it,” she said. “Get involved. Talk to people. Don’t be afraid to try something new. You only have a few years here, and before you know it, you’ll be graduating. Make every opportunity count.”

91ɬ�� recently earned a series of national awards for its work with Eagle fraternities and sororities.

The University collected honors in seven categories from the (NPC), including the Academic Innovation Award, Innovation in Access, Belonging and Community Impact Award, Innovation in Leadership Award, Innovation in Recruitment Award, Innovation in Marketing Award, Innovation in Operations Award and the Excellence Award. Each category recognized between 11 and 29 institutions nationwide.

Georgia Southern’s Panhellenic Association qualified for and earned the Excellence Award, one of only 11 Panhellenic councils across the country to do social, because it received honors in all seven categories

Francisco M. Lugo, Ed.D., director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said these awards are a point of pride for the Greek life community at Georgia Southern, highlighting the commitment to leadership, scholarship, inclusivity and innovation on campus.

“What really sets Georgia Southern’s fraternity and sorority community apart is our genuine commitment to growth and connection,” he said. “We’re always striving to be better, whether that’s through service, leadership or supporting one another. Our strong alumni network and supportive administration play a big role in that too, by continuing to mentor, guide and invest in our chapters and members long after graduation.”

Georgia Southern’s Panhellenic president Jaylee Kilgo received the Alpha Phi/Betty Mullins Jones Scholarship, awarded to a Panhellenic leader who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and dedication to the sorority experience.

Additionally, these Georgia Southern fraternities and sororities were recognized for the following awards:

Alpha Delta Pi

• Diamond Four Point Award  

Alpha Tau Omega

• Recruitment Excellence

Kappa Delta

• Recruitment Excellence Award

Phi Mu

• Top Contributing Collegiate Chapter of the Year (2024-2025)
• Philomathean Society Award Society Recipient (2022-2024)
• Phi Mu Foundation Scholarship Recipients (2025-2026): Lucy Park and Shelby Sorrells
• Phi Mu Chapter Consultant Program Recipient (2025-2026): Skylar Patterson 

Sigma Nu

• Rock Chapter Award

Zeta Tau Alpha

• Crown Chapter Award 2025
• Quota/Total Award
• Highly Commendable Academic Achievement Award 

The NPC is the umbrella organization for 26 national and international women’s sororities representing over four million members worldwide. The NPC provides support, resources and recognition for Panhellenic communities across the country, making these awards a distinguished honor.

A leader in 91ɬ��’s Greek Life community has received national recognition for his work with a fraternity chapter on campus.

Francisco M. Lugo, Ed.D., director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, won from the national Sigma Nu fraternity for his work with the Georgia Southern Theta Kappa Chapter. For the past 12 years, Lugo has advised the fraternity with encouragement and accountability so its members can thrive as leaders on campus and beyond.

Lugo called the national award a humbling experience and emphasized how passionate he is about serving his students.

“For me, this award is less about recognition and more about validation,” he said. “It shows that building relationships, investing in student leaders and advocating for the positive impact of fraternity and sorority life truly makes a difference. While my name may be on the award, it represents the work of so many people who care deeply about advancing the fraternity and sorority experience at Georgia Southern.”

The award is given to higher education administrators who have gone above and beyond in serving and contributing to the success of Sigma Nu Fraternity chapters regarding advising, event programming, leadership development, research and other areas.

During his tenure at Georgia Southern, Lugo has led the Theta Kappa Chapter to three Rock Chapter Awards, which are awarded to the top chapters from the national organization. 

“I’ve walked alongside them through their revitalization and celebrated their growth,” Lugo said. “The men of Theta Kappa have trusted me to walk with them on their journey, and I’ve loved investing in their leadership development and seeing them grow.”

Additionally, he has served as president and vice president of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and on the board of directors for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. Also, he has been involved with the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and continues to volunteer for his own fraternity, Phi Iota Alpha.

Statesboro, GA – 91ɬ��’s fraternity and sorority groups made a significant impact on the Savannah and Statesboro communities during Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Serves Week, during which the students served more than 1,000 service hours.

Held from April 19-26, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life’s (OFSL) annual event featured a variety of service projects, philanthropic events and community engagement initiatives, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and commitment to service among fraternity and sorority members on both campuses.

Statesboro Campus events: 

• Eagle Essentials Pantry Food Fight
• Volunteering with the ROTC Freedom Run 5k/10k
• Volunteering at the Kennedy Pond Conservancy
• Volunteering at Feed the Boro
• National Volunteer Month Community Engagement Panel
• Philanthropy and service workshops
• Philanthropy/service tabling event
• Volunteering at ArtsFest
• Faculty/Staff Appreciation Ice Cream Social

Armstrong Campus in Savannah events: 

• Pickleball for a Purpose Donations to the Captain’s Cupboard
• Earth Day Campus Clean Up Service to Success Community Engagement Panel
• Grillin’ with the Greeks pop tab collection and clothing drive

By the numbers: 

• Hours served: More than 1,000
• Volunteers: 239
• Items donated to Eagle Essentials Pantry and Captain’s Cupboard: 2,877
• High priority donations: 1,370
• 4,000 pop tabs collected for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire
• 650 clothing donations to the Old Savannah City Mission

The number of volunteers for this year’s FSL Serves Week grew by 40% over last year. Service hours also rose significantly, increasing by 70% from 650 last year to more than 1,000. Notably, this was the first year the Armstrong Campus participated in FSL Serves, expanding the program’s reach and reinforcing a multi-campus commitment to service.

The OFSL partnered with the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement, The Eagle Battalion Army ROTC Program, the Kennedy Pond Conservancy, Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, The Gardens Senior Living and Memory Care Facility, Statesboro Farmers Market and the University Facilities Department to create a successful week of events.

For more information about FSL Serves Week or to learn how to get involved, please contact the .

For the second year in a row, 91ɬ�� students and organizations searched their couch cushions, car seats, floorboards and everywhere in between to to find loose change for the Pennies for 91ɬ�� event. Pennies for 91ɬ�� is sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, which encourages campus organizations to get involved both to earn homecoming spirit points and, more importantly, to raise money for the 91ɬ�� for 91ɬ�� fund, sponsored by the Student Government Association. The fund awards scholarships to help Georgia Southern students in extreme financial need. This year, 12 organizations raised a total of $4,218.75 in a three-day period. Fraternities Alpha Omicron Pi and Pi Kappa Alpha won this year’s competition by raising a total of $990.42. Kappa Delta was the first runner-up with $969.73 and Phi Mu, last year’s winners, was the second runner-up, raising $591.11 for the fund. In its first year, nine organizations participated in Pennies for 91ɬ�� and raised a total of $1,557.36. The complete list of participants this year is as follows:

• Alpha Omicron Pi and Pi Kappa Alpha – $990.42
• Kappa Delta – $969.73
• Zeta Tau Alpha – $574.42
• Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Phi Alpha – $523.63
• Kappa Kappa Gamma and Sigma Nu – $411.50
• Delta Phi Epsilon – $127.54
• Student Government Association – $27.60
• Residence Hall Association – $2.80

In addition to Pennies for 91ɬ�� event, The Doo Dah Dance and Step Show raised $2,700 and the InterFraternity Golf Tournament raised $2,400 for the 91ɬ�� for 91ɬ�� fund. Altogether, these events raised $9,323.75 for students in financial need. 91ɬ��, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit