Gilmore is Theta Chi Fraternity's 2025 Colley Award Recipient
CARMEL, IN – Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce Louis Gilmore (Gamma Phi/Nebraska Wesleyan 2025) as the recipient of the 2024/2025 Reginald E.F. Colley Award. The Colley Award is Theta Chi’s most prestigious collegiate honor and annually recognizes distinguished service to alma mater, Fraternity, and community.
Brother Gilmore served Gamma Phi Chapter as Brotherhood Chairman, Treasurer, and President, where he led the chapter through a period of revitalization and historic achievement. Under his leadership, Gamma Phi won the Alter Award, became the top Greek donor to the campus food pantry, and posted one of the highest GPAs in chapter history. As Treasurer, he restructured the budget process and stabilized the chapter’s finances, and, as Brotherhood Chairman, he helped restore programming lost to the pandemic, bringing the bonds of brotherhood back to the forefront.
Beyond his chapter, Gilmore served as Chairman of Theta Chi’s Chapter Presidents Advisory Council, as the Presiding Delegate during the 168th Anniversary Convention, and earned his Resolute Man distinction in 2025.
On campus, he served as IFC vice president of public relations and later Vice President, where he helped improve interfraternity relations and streamlined Greek judicial processes. He was recognized by his peers as the 2024 Chapter President of the Year and was also awarded the Greek Campus Impact Award for his contributions to student life.
A tireless servant leader, Gilmore was elected Student Body vice president and later president, where he spearheaded major campus initiatives, including increased lighting for student safety and the creation of a professional “career closet” for students lacking access to formal attire. He also served as a Student Governor on the Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors. Outside student government, he co-founded both the campus water polo club and chess club, served as a new student orientation leader, and captained the university’s varsity swim team, helping lead them to a conference title and setting a school relay record.
Gilmore’s community service was equally impactful. He helped coordinate philanthropic events benefiting the USO, volunteered with the Nebraska Special Olympics, Tabitha Assisted Living, and local highway clean-up efforts, and served as a high school swim coach in his hometown. His consistent leadership and compassion earned him both the Campus Impact Award and the 2025 Student Life Leadership Award.
Academically, Gilmore maintained a 3.73 GPA as a financial planning major with a minor in accounting. He was inducted into Blue Key Honor Society, Order of Omega (where he served as treasurer), and received the Van C. and Georgia L. Duling Scholarship for Emerging Leaders. He also earned two Academic All-Conference honors as a student-athlete and appeared on the Dean’s List for six semesters.
“Brother Gilmore has been the most involved on-campus brother in recent memory while maintaining an impressive 3.73 GPA. His work in his financial planning (B.S.) degree and extreme work ethic will surely lead him to a successful post-graduate career. I am proud to call Louis my brother.” – Chapter President Jakob Cadwallader.
“Mr. Gilmore has grown significantly as a leader during his time in Theta Chi. It has been a pleasure watching [him] hone his leadership style and make a positive impact in his chapter, on his team, on campus, and in the broader community.” – Chapter Adviser Dustin Bartley
“Louis is a true man of character. He uplifts others, shares a commitment to continuous improvement, and brings a sense of fairness and humility to his efforts. He embodies the Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission, and his leadership has positively impacted his fraternity brothers and the broader Nebraska Wesleyan Community.” – Vice President for Student Life Erin Hoffman.
After graduation, Brother Gilmore plans to continue his professional development by pursuing his Series 7 certification and becoming a certified financial planner, following an already impressive internship at Cumes Financial Group. He also intends to return to school to earn his master’s degree in financial planning.
Brother Gilmore exemplifies the spirit of service and integrity that defines our brotherhood. His years of leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to campus and community truly reflect the values of Theta Chi. He is a Resolute Man in every sense—and is his chapter’s sixth overall Colley Award recipient, and is now the third consecutive brother from the same chapter to earn the Fraternity’s highest collegiate honor, the first instance this has occurred in the history of the Fraternity!
First presented in 1929, the Colley Award is named for Reginald E.F. Colley, a World War I veteran and past member of Theta Chi’s board of directors, the Grand Chapter. As a member of Phi Chapter, Brother Colley developed a celebrated reputation as a campus, community, and civic leader. He graduated in 1915 and eventually headed overseas to fight for the U.S. Army on the Western Front. Brother Colley died at the age of 39, but his legacy of leadership continues to inspire future generations of talented Theta Chis. Today, the Colley Award is treasured as the Fraternity’s most prestigious collegiate honor.