Brother Alex Lane (Purdue, 2024)

It is said that “The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.” AEPi stands by this message as we promote leadership in the Jewish community which brings people together and celebrates our differences rather than homogenizing our communities. Brother Alexander Lane (Purdue, 2024) is using his leadership skills on his campus to get his chapter more involved with diversity, equity and inclusion.

As a student at Purdue, Brother Lane, a Short Hills New Jersey native, is majoring in general management and intends on graduating with a minor in Human Resource Management. “I’ve always wanted to go into organizational leadership.” Formerly, he worked for Centercourt Sports Academy, a health and sports club. Through High-School, he worked his way from a counselor, to a Manager position, and eventually a Camp Director’s position, all before the age of 20. Now, his experience has driven him to pursue a career in Management. “During this last summer, I oversaw a program that essentially maximized revenue frontiers for a large day camp, during the second COVID-19 summertime. At times it was a nightmare, requiring me to work almost 800 hours over four months. My hard work did not go to waste, as it was the most successful summer in the history of the company. For each week we achieved what most other operations could not, a safe environment with campers returning every week. COVID? Campers? Counselors? All nightmares put to bed by the team I worked on and led.”

Brother Lane joined AEPi in the spring of 2021. During the first COVID-19 lockdown period he had very few contacts on campus. Realizing that he had family friends on campus, he reached out to a graduating Brother, who invited him to the house to check it out. Through the warm welcome of the Rush Chair, Brother. Lane already felt closer to home. Rushing in the Spring Class of 2021, Brother Lane came to appreciate the intangible value of community and brotherhood. “AEPi is not just a Brotherhood. It provides a home where everyone has that shared experience. We are, at a base level, a young Jewish organization and align ourselves with Jewish principles.”

Brother Lane’s favorite AEPi memory so far was the Pi Upsilon chapter’s recent formal in Chicago. Being the first formal since 2019 for the chapter, the mood was one of uncertainty. Fortunately, it was a massive success. “Seeing all of his Brothers finally able to pull all of that together. That was the most fun I’ve had in the Midwest.” Through all the preparations and planning of the Pi Upsilon Executive Board, everyone had a fun and safe time.

Brother Lane is currently the Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He represents AEPi to many different campus organizations including the LGBTQ community. He makes sure that new members know to go to events and engage with other groups on campus. “There was a lecture series presented by the President of Purdue, President Mitch Daniels. I was asked not because of my major or GPA, but because of my demonstrated interest.” Brother Lane was proud to represent himself and his chapter as a leader in the Jewish community.

“If you want to get involved in your chapter, start small. Start with a minor board position, or help out in your community. See if it interests you and it will help develop you as a person, as a Brother, and as a leader. Just getting started, just being present and just giving it your best shot. As the next leaders in the Jewish Community, Purdue community, or whatever community you align with, you need to be present to be a leader. Put yourself in the room where it happens.”

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