Phi Delta Theta

06/09/2026

Last week, as Major League Baseball celebrated Lou Gehrig Day, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity was proud to recognize Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl as the 2025 nominee for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. As a nominee for Phi Delta Theta’s Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, and through the support of the Live Live Like Lou Foundation, TJ was honored for his outstanding service and commitment to community impact.

The Lou Gehrig Memorial Award honors the legacy of Lou Gehrig by recognizing MLB players who demonstrate character, leadership, and service beyond the game. TJ Friedl has made a remarkable impact off the field through his work with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He regularly visits patients, engages with Make-A-Wish families, and continues to use his platform to bring joy and encouragement to children. He also supports Project 150 in Las Vegas and participates in Faith, Family, and Fastballs events, while connecting with fans through Reds events, camps, and community appearances.

During Lou Gehrig Day, representatives from Phi Delta Theta and the Live Like Lou Foundation took the field to honor TJ’s nomination and present a scholarship for a local Reds fan affected by ALS. McKenzie Kemper, who was unable to attend the game, is a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University. During her time in college, McKenzie has endured the unexpected loss of her mother Tootie and became the primary caregiver for her father Bo following his ALS diagnosis in 2024. Despite these challenges, she returned to school with renewed purpose, aiming for a Master’s degree and advocating for those affected by ALS while balancing academics, caregiving, and personal growth.

Moments like these reflect what Lou Gehrig Day is all about—honoring Lou’s legacy and supporting families impacted by ALS. Thank you, TJ, for your leadership and service.

06/08/2026

Introducing our 2026 Undergraduate of the Year from Texas Tau at the University of Texas at El Paso: Brother Juan Pablo Olvera!

Born and raised in Chihuahua City, Mexico, Juan Pablo decided to pursue his education in El Paso, Texas.

"Phi Delta Theta has taught me that being an international student is not a disadvantage, but an opportunity to challenge myself and grow in an unfamiliar environment," he says. "It showed me that I am capable of leading, communicating, and making an impact even in my second language — including serving as president of an entire chapter."

That leadership has shown up in every corner of his college experience — from the Career Center to the IFC, from Scholarship Chair to Chapter President. This summer, he'll be completing his third 70.3 Ironman triathlon in Ruidoso, New Mexico to help his chapter become an Iron Phi chapter.

"Being an Iron Phi represents more than just completing a physical challenge," he shares. "It reflects commitment, discipline, and the drive to push beyond limits for something greater than myself."

📍 From Chihuahua City, Mexico — studying in El Paso, Texas
📚 Industrial Engineering major, with minors in Mathematics and Finance
⚔️ Chapter President
🎓 Foundation Scholarship Recipient
🌟 Former Scholarship Chair, Social Chair, Alumni Chair & PR Chair for his chapter
📊 Fundraising Chair, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
🏃 Iron Phi
⚽ Lifelong soccer player

06/08/2026

Did you know, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation awards more than $600,000 in scholarships every year?

This funding helps brothers across the country who need the financial support to achieve their educational goals. This past year, over 837 undergraduate brothers applied for a Phi Delta Theta Foundation scholarship. That's 150 more applications than the year before. It comes to show that today's students need this support more than ever — and that the Phi Delta Theta Foundation's work has never mattered more!

Have you received a scholarship or graduate fellowship from the Phi Delta Theta Foundation? If so, this is your chance to pay it forward for the future generations of Phis!

➡️ Your story is one of the most powerful things you can share. Whether you give financially or simply tell the world what the Foundation meant to you — tag us, share your experience, and help us show why this work matters to your peers.

🏆 On June 17 your chapter competes for the most dollars raised, highest donor participation, and on-the-spot Blitz challenges throughout the day. Every donor. Every share. Every story. It all counts for the Day of Giving Chapter Challenge.

Give or share on June 17! phide.lt/GivingDay2026

(🧦 Gifts of $100+ receive exclusive 2026 Giving Day socks!)

06/06/2026

Introducing our 2026 Outstanding Junior of the Year from Florida Eta at Nova Southeastern University: Brother Ethan Hunter!

Ethan has a passion for education and a commitment to becoming the greatest version of himself — that's what led him to Phi Delta Theta.

"At the beginning of college, I never imagined I would achieve as much as I have today, but Phi Delt gave me opportunities to grow in ways I never expected," he says. For Ethan, that growth hasn't stayed within the chapter walls — it's shown up in research labs, classrooms, and community events across campus.

📍 Originally from Frisco, TX
🔬 Biology major in an 8-year BS/DO program
🩺 Reserved seat at NSU Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
🧪 Teaching Assistant for Organic Chemistry & Lab Assistant for Anatomy
📚 Lead Research Assistant, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
⚔️ Chapter Philanthropy Chair and Vice President
🚀 Rising Phi

06/05/2026

Match your gift 🤝 Match your socks. Join us on June 17 for our annual Day of Giving Chapter Challenge!

On June 17, every gift to the Phi Delta Theta Foundation will be matched, doubling your impact for our Brotherhood. As a thank-you, donors who give $100 or more will receive an exclusive pair of 2026 Day of Giving socks. 🧦

A stylish gift for your generous gift! https://phide.lt/GivingDay2026

06/04/2026

From civic engagement and campus leadership to founding Oregon Zeta, Kai Markle, Pacific ’27, is leaving his mark on the Pacific University community through service, involvement, and a passion for helping others.

Read more about how Kai is becoming the greatest version of himself in our latest ⚔️

Kai Markle, a junior at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, was recently featured in his school newspaper for his role as a […]

06/04/2026

Introducing our 2026 Outstanding Senior of the Year from Oklahoma Epsilon at Rogers State University: Brother Ethan Lester!

From the moment he stepped on campus, Ethan was determined to get involved, grow, and lead by example. Phi Delta Theta gave him the platform to do exactly that.

"Leadership isn't just about having a title — it's about leading by example, supporting others, and contributing positively to the people around you," he says. That philosophy has defined every role he's taken on, from Recruitment Chairman to Vice President to the university's beloved mascot.

But perhaps nothing captures that spirit better than his Iron Phi journey. As the chapter's first-ever Iron Phi he completed challenges and went on to raise $10,842 in a single year to show his chapter what was possible.

"Lead by example" isn't just a motto for him, it's how he lives.

📍 From Claremore, Oklahoma
📚 Strategic Communications major
🚀 Rising Phi
👑 Homecoming King
🎓 Foundation Scholarship Recipient
📣 University Mascot — all four years
⚔️Recruitment Chairman (2.5 years) & Vice President
🏠 Residential Assistant
🏃 Chapter's first-ever Iron Phi — raised $10,842
💼 Joining our staff as a Recruitment Specialist

06/04/2026

TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, Fortune's 50 Greatest Leaders, The Bloomberg 50, and most importantly, a member of Phi Delta Theta; Commissioner Adam Silver, Duke '84, has done it all. With the NBA regular season coming to an end, every team finds new ways to adapt and improve for the next season.

Are you watching the NBA finals? ⚔️

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Phi Delta Theta was proud to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day with the Seattle Mariners to recognize shortstop J.P. Crawford as a finalist for the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, which honors the spirit of our dear brother Lou Gehrig, whose courage, humility, and perseverance continue to inspire generations.

As a finalist for the award, and in partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation and the Permobil Foundation, Crawford joined us on the field to surprise a Mariners fan living with ALS with a custom Seattle Mariners-branded Permobil wheelchair.

Ryan Riddick is a lifelong Mariners fan and devoted ALS advocate whose resilience has defined his journey since his ALS diagnosis in 2013. After returning to Spokane in 2018 to be near family, Ryan adapted to full-time care with courage, perspective, and humor. In 2021, Matt's Place Foundation transformed his quality of life through accessible housing and assistive technology. Ryan shares daily life with Maverick, his loyal rescue dog and trained service partner.

Join us in congratulating J.P. Crawford for using his platform to make a difference, and for helping leave ALS better than you found it for individuals like Ryan! ⚾️