Honorable Mention Winner
Brian Battles
University of Central Florida
Senior in Economics
3.50 GPA

Campus leaders typically invest time in conferences, workshops, and weekend retreats to enhance their personal leadership skills. The University of Central Florida’s Brian Battles, however, is unique in the amount of time he gives passing along knowledge to others. “The opportunity to help others increase their leadership abilities has been a driving force behind my collegiate involvement,” Battles says. “The ability to foster leadership within my peers is the mark I’ve left on the UCF community.”

Battles, 23, has left this mark through his participation and leadership roles in the Student Government Association, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and UCF’s Orientation Team.

As SGA executive vice president, Battles considered himself “an advocate for the cause” of UCF’s 39,000 students. In supervising the executive cabinet, he assisted emerging leaders in developing their talents through SGA committee involvement and executive positions. Battles’ SGA role was expanded to the community level when he was recognized as a trustee for the Orlando Chamber of Commerce. “Networking sessions through the chamber have been a great way to improve the surrounding community,” he says. Most recently, Battles recently won election as SGA president, a position he will hold for the 2003-2004 year.

Battles held the leadership role of Alumni Relations for Lambda Chi Alpha, lobbying for funds for all of the fraternity’s philanthropic events. “Through the North American Canned Food Drive, we’ve donated 300,000 pounds of food to the Orlando area with the help of the Bread of Life Food Bank,” he says. His commitment to service through Lambda Chi Alpha earned him the titles of “Greek Brother of the Year” and “Greek Campus Leader of the Year” for two consecutive years.

“Brian’s one of the most well-rounded leaders I’ve had the opportunity to advise,” says Gregory S. Mason, director for Greek affairs. “He’s not afraid to confront his peers on tough issues such as risk management, and challenges them to find solutions to these problems. When problems arise, he doesn’t offer excuses but rather finds a solution to the situation.”

Battles also was a founding member of the Business College Council, which gets business college clubs and organizations together for additional resources, joint programming, and recruitment activities. In addition, he started the Golden Knights Honorary Leadership Council, which organizes students wishing to further their leadership roles.

Through his participation as a sophomore with UCF’s Orientation Team, a group which acclimates new students, Battles has seen the positive effects of his leadership mentoring. “Almost three years later, I still talk to most of the students that I had in my orientation groups and see them now as leaders of many organizations,” Battles says.

Battles earned peer recognition when he was voted UCF’s Homecoming King in fall 2002. He was also chosen as the charter member of the Golden Knights Who’s Who publication for his campus leadership. “Brian’s a very bright and enthusiastic young man who possesses tremendous interpersonal skills, an outgoing personality, and strong enthusiasm for the numerous activities he’s involved in,” says Sharon L. Ekern, assistant director for student development and enrollment services.

A part-time job, scholarships, and loans cover Battles’ expenses. –AT

Contact Battles at bcb29252@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu.