In December 2026, the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors will convene in Chicago to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 50th anniversary of our association. More than a conference, this event will serve as a capstone of reflection, recognition, and renewal for a profession that has transformed campus life for five decades. It will also be a launchpad for the next 50 years of leadership, inclusion, and innovation in fraternity and sorority life.
As we prepare for this historic gathering, the 50th Anniversary Committee is hard at work stewarding a comprehensive, year-long celebration that will engage members before, during, and after the Annual Meeting. The goal is not only to honor where we have been, but to also illuminate where we are going together.
The 2026 Annual Meeting Celebration: A Milestone Event in Chicago
Chicago offers the perfect backdrop for this golden anniversary. Not only is it a beautiful city, full of exciting adventures and wonderful cultural opportunities, but it’s also home to many institutions of higher education. The 2026 Annual Meeting celebration will be infused with special moments designed to honor the association’s legacy while bringing our community together in new and meaningful ways.
The committee will support both the lead-up to the conference and the on-site experience, including:
- Pre-conference storytelling initiatives: A rolling series of digital features, alumni spotlights, and historical reflections to build momentum throughout 2026
- Signature anniversary programming: Plenary sessions and experiential events that highlight the evolution of fraternity/sorority advising and the profession’s impact on students and institutions
- A celebratory gathering: A formal anniversary celebration during the 2026 Annual Meeting to recognize milestones, honor contributors, and reconnect generations of professionals
This celebration will be more than nostalgic; it will be participatory by engaging attendees as contributors to AFA’s living history while in attendance at the Annual Meeting.
Programming and Publications: Connecting Our Past to Build Our Future
As with any milestone, it is important to take time to reflect on where we have been to chart a path for where we are going. The committee is working closely with the association’s publications or educational programming teams to:
- Identify and provide insight on the continued evolutions of the core issues faced by the fraternity/sorority profession
- Enhance the profession’s engagement with research
- Identify opportunities to deliver engaging education that supports professionals with diverse needs
Through these efforts, the 50th anniversary will connect our past to a forward-thinking future.
Archiving and Historical Storytelling: Preserving the AFA Legacy
Central to the 50th anniversary initiative is archiving and historical storytelling. The committee is working in partnership with AFA leaders and members to:
- Identify and preserve key historical artifacts, documents, and narratives in addition to reviewing historical documents in our archives at Bowling Green State University
- Capture stories and perspectives from foundational figures and emerging leaders alike
- Determine what elements of AFA history still need to be documented and whose voices must be elevated
This effort recognizes that our history is not just a timeline: it is a collection of lived experiences, professional milestones, and collective movements that have shaped our profession. Honoring this legacy includes recognizing individuals whose leadership, scholarship, and service laid the groundwork for where we are today.
Over the past five decades, fraternity and sorority advising has evolved from event oversight and organizational support into a sophisticated, student-centered profession grounded in leadership development, identity exploration, belonging, and institutional partnership.
Advisors now play key roles in:
- Fostering inclusive communities and addressing systemic inequities
- Supporting students through complex social and cultural challenges
- Developing leadership capacities that extend beyond college into lifelong civic and professional engagement
As we celebrate AFA’s 50th anniversary, we celebrate not just our association, but the thousands of professionals who have shaped safer, more inclusive, and more impactful fraternity and sorority experiences for generations of students.
On behalf of the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, we look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
AFA 50th Anniversary Planning Committee:
- Thad Doyle, Chair
- Jason Bergeron
- Ashley Dye
- Shanté Hearst
- Jennifer M. Jones
- Greg Singleton
- Joshua Welch
