ONE JOURNEY LEADS TO ANOTHER

By HQ Staff

In June 2025, the Nelson Leadership Institute (NLI) partnered with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Twelve undergraduates and Phi Psi alumni participated in the week-long experience. 

A nonprofit global wilderness school, NOLS believes in the transformative power of leadership through wilderness education. Embracing that spirit, brothers trekked through the wilderness in Wyoming building leadership skills and new perspectives.

Two members from the western adventure, Jacob Gerson Clemson ’25 and Michael Cruzado Wabash ’23, provided HQ with some of their takeaways.

Brother Cruzado:
“There were many life hacks along with outdoor and leadership skills that I learned along the way: how to use a propane stove, set up a tent, tie trucker knots and hike safely in the middle of the mountain range. One thing stood out the most: I am a better leader than I thought I was.

“Before this trip, I tended to stay behind, let others take charge and hold my tongue even when I knew there were better options. When I was put in charge as a designated leader during one of our hike days, I realized my effectiveness as a leader. From planning a route then having to adjust it on the fly, keeping tabs on all members of the group, delegating tasks, and overall, just taking charge, I excelled. My group managed to get to the camping spot 40 minutes before the next group arrived.

“That opened my eyes, and I have made it a personal goal to step up and start speaking my mind in chapter discussions, holding important positions, and having an active role in the decision-making process in my Fraternity. I owe a large part of becoming the leader I am today to all the alumni who made it possible for me to attend the NOLS program. For their donations back to our beloved Fraternity, I am forever grateful.”

Brother Gerson:
“The NOLS experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Being able to meet 12 brothers from around the nation and hear about their chapters’ successes and failures made me feel like we all face the same things. It was reassuring to hear that most Phi Psi chapters operate very similarly. I took a lot of what I learned back to my chapter to implement. By the end of the week with my brothers, it felt like I had known them for months.

“All the stories and challenges we went through together brought us together in a way I never could have thought was possible. The NOLS program was one of the most influential experiences of my life. There was laughing, crying and everything in between. I grew exponentially as a person, and I know many of my brothers feel the same. We keep in touch and are planning a reunion trip down the line.”

Some of them reunited soon after. Gerson at the time was a Clemson Colony member, and their chartering was scheduled for the fall. He invited the brothers at NOLS to join in the celebration. His tent mate Liam McKernon Akron ’24, along with Boyd Wetcher Akron ’24, flew to South Carolina, and Cruzado drove nine hours to join his new friends.

An adventure of its own, Cruzado enjoyed the change of scenery and driving through the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. ”I had never been to a chartering event before, so I was excited to go,” he said. “I was also interested in meeting the brothers of SC Beta and visiting Clemson. The trip did not disappoint; it was an absolute blast.” 

Gerson wasn’t surprised. He knew the trip was planned, and it made him feel so supported to have his brothers with him at such an important event.

“It showed the true connections I made on the NOLS trip,” he said.

Being part of establishing a new chapter at Clemson has been a fantastic experience for Gerson, but he’s not resting on that accomplishment: “Being a founding father is amazing, but it will only pay off if I can come back to campus in 10 years and the same principles we built are still intact.”   

With all of the skills, training and support these young men have experienced. It looks like the future leaders of Phi Psi are on a well-charted path.

Is there another trip in the works? Absolutely.

“This summer I am planning on staying with Michael in Scottsdale, Arizona, for GAC,” Gerson said.

One journey with Phi Psi often leads to another. It truly is a lifelong adventure.

Click here to learn more about the Phi Psi NOLS Experience.