Gregg May – Giving back to Pilam and UW Madison
Gregg May ’13, president of the UW Madison Alumni Association, credits Pilam with developing his communications and leadership skills and is finding ways to give back, saying Pilam “taught me things that are foundational to my success.”
Gregg hopes to encourage alumni engagement, volunteerism and financial support to ensure that a new generation of Pilam brothers have similar life changing experiences, saying “there are certain things that mean a lot in your life, and Pilam is one of them to me.”
Dedication and alumni support is key
As a brother who joined Pilam in 2009 when the Wisconsin chapter was struggling, Gregg saw how committed brothers and dedicated alumni could really turn a chapter around.
The brotherhood was in the single digits when Gregg joined. Gregg said his “small but dedicated” pledge class was a cornerstone for rebuilding the chapter, “there were two chapter presidents from that class, including current CCB chair Kyle Krahn.” He also welcomed the support of the IHQ who sent Phil Spence to campus to spark recruitment that “really helped the chapter survive.” By the time Gregg graduated, the chapter had grown to 45.
Though the chapter peaked in the 1950s with alumni like Senator Herb Kohl, former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, business mogul Steve Marcus, attorney and philanthropist Frank Gimbel, former Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff, the late writer and director Jim Abrahams, and director Michael Mann, Gregg credits alumnus Ed Kinney ’87 for restarting the chapter in the 80s and being “a chapter advisor who has been there for us for years. He’s an inspiration.”
Putting his money where his house is
In 2022 after years as tenants, Wisconsin alumni purchased a chapter house. It made a statement that Wisconsin alumni were vested in the chapter “not four years, but a lifetime” and that Pilam was there to stay.
Gregg was not in a position at that time to donate toward the purchase of the house, but he was inspired by the commitment of other alumni who stepped up and offered their support. He recently made a significant contribution to the Wisconsin restricted fund to make house upgrades to improve quality of life and house appeal.
One of the upgrades include rebuilding the patio to serve as a place for undergrads to enjoy and host alumni events. The alumni hope to complete the work in time for the chapter’s 100th anniversary in 2026. More home improvements are planned, and the goal for fundraising is $300K.
He volunteers because he’s thankful for lifelong relationships
Gregg admits that “Sometimes, it feels strange that I’m still involved in this. Will people think I’m stuck living out my college days?”
But he explained that his Pilam brothers taught him to lead, communicate better and come out of his shell. He said, “This chapter was important during that stage of my life and I want to support the brotherhood so it can continue to help others find a home on campus.”
Gregg is thankful for the relationships he’s made and skills that served him in his career and his life. He’s still very close with his brothers. Gregg was the best man for his little brother’s wedding and has even officiated two other brothers’ weddings. (Thank you Universal Life Ministry.)
He has high hopes for the current brotherhood, saying “it continues to draw a group of people who didn’t think they’d be in a fraternity. That speaks to the values of Pilam.”
You can make an impact. Donate or volunteer.
Contribute to the Pi Lambda Phi Foundation general fund or a dedicated fund for your chapter. If you’d like to volunteer as a local or national mentor or advisor, please contact us.