Phi Delta Theta Fraternity- University of Utah

07/30/2026

Utah Alpha was well recognized for its efforts during the past academic year and received the following awards from the General Fraternity. The following awards were presented to Utah Alpha’s delegates at the recent Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute held on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

BRONZE STAR AWARD - CHAPTER EXCELLENCE is a top award presented for overall excellence in chapter operations.

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS AWARD is awarded to chapters that achieve a high chapter GPA in comparison to the All Men’s Average as well as the All-Fraternity Average on campus.

EXCELLENCE IN RITUAL AWARD honors chapters that demonstrate an outstanding commitment, precision, and frequency in performing the fraternity’s ritual and upholding its core values.

EXCELLENCE IN PHILANTHROPY AWARD is awarded to any chapter that has raised at least $10 per member in the chapter for a cause or organization that has meaning to the chapter. Utah Alpha raised over $10,000 through the Iron Phi program this past year to fight ALS.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD recognizes undergraduate chapters that complete at least five impactful community service events, maintain registration in the Live Like Lou Connect & Serve program, and dedicate at least one event to the Live Like Lou Foundation

EXCELLENCE IN RECRUITMENT AWARD recognizes undergraduate chapters whose new member intake equals at least 30 percent of total membership and who fully utilize international fraternity tools and resources to drive a successful recruitment culture.

IMPROVEMENT IN RECRUITMENT AWARD recognizes chapters that have reported an increase of new members this academic year compared to their previous year.

“TRIPLE CROWN” award from the Live Like Lou Foundation for the chapter’s fund raising for ALS. To achieve this recognition, a chapter must complete the following:

1. Register to serve an ALS family or serve at a Hope Loves Company camp for children in ALS families.
2. Become an Iron Phi Chapter – Minimum of $10,000 raised through the chapter’s Iron Phi participants during the academic year.
3. Generate awareness and support for Lou Gehrig’s disease by hosting a philanthropy event in your community and donating to the Live Like Lou Foundation

IRON PHI TOP 3 AWARD. The chapter was recognized for raising the third most money of any chapter during the past academic year for the Iron Phi Program to support the fight against ALS.

07/28/2026

Five Utah Phi Delts have been on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio for the past few days for the annual Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. Kleberg is the Fraternity's summer leadership conference held at the birthplace of Phi Delta Theta and over 1,000 Phis from across North America were in attendance. Utah Alpha was well represented by Brothers Avi Sobel, Garrett Gillest, Jackson McCreight, Sean Shirvani and Jacob Kirpalni. During the conference our Utah Alpha Phis, in addition to taking part in workshops, listening to speakers, touring General Headquarters and meeting other Phis, were able to spend time with Brother Nat Love (Michigan ’81), the International President of the Fraternity as well as Brother Stephen J. “Tio” Kleberg (Texas Tech ’69). Brother Kleberg and his wife Janell endowed the annual conference which was named in their honor. Thanks brothers for representing Utah Alpha well at Kleberg.

07/20/2026

It was 57 years ago today, July 20, 1969, that Phi Delt Brother Neil Armstrong (Purdue ‘55), landed on the moon. A few hours later he became the first man to walk on the moon proclaiming the words "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." Brother Armstrong carried his Phi Delta Theta badge with him to the moon and later presented it to the Fraternity where it is on display in the museum at the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio – home of Miami University.

07/20/2026

Congratulations to Brother Tyler Bugbee (Utah ’28) who recently graduated from the U.S. Army’s highly rigorous Sapper Leadership Course and received his Sapper designation. In the Army, a Sapper is an elite combat engineer who performs vital battlefield tasks such as demolitions, bridge-building, laying and clearing minefields, and building fortifications. Operating at the cutting edge of the military, they primarily facilitate allied troop movement while impeding the enemy's advance.

Tyler enlisted in the Utah National Guard in 2024 followed by starting in the ROTC program at the U last year and he has the rank of cadet. He is doing his guard service in the SMP (simultaneous membership program) - allowing him to both be in the National Guard and ROTC. Tyler graduated from Ranger school in July 2025 and is studying Business Finance at the U. In Phi Delta Theta he serves on the Phikeia Education Committee. Congratulations Tyler and thank you for your service to our country and Phi Delta Theta.

07/13/2026

We are proud to have many of our undergraduate and alumni Phis involved in local, state and national issues and campaigns – and for both major parties. One Utah Phi will be on the ballot this November in Alpine, Wyoming where he is running for Mayor. Alpine is about 45 miles south of Jackson Hole, on the Snake River, in Star Valley.

Brother Jeremy ‘Woody’ Larsen (Utah ’97) currently serves on the Alpine Town Council where he has been a Council Member for a number of years. He founded Alpine Trails and Pathways, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to expanding year-round recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. He also helped establish the Alpine Travel and Tourism Board and has served as chair and board member for several local government and nonprofit organizations. He is married to Dr. Niki Milleson. Good luck Brother Larsen!

07/09/2026

Many Utah Alpha alumni are involved in their local communities. Brother Ryan Lufkin (Utah ’97) represented the Millcreek Historic Preservation Commission during its recent July 4th parade - Millcreek is a suburb of Salt Lake City and Ryan serves as Chair of the Commission. Brother Lufkin is also one of our most loyal and active alumni and was recognized in 2008 with the ‘Edward J. Whitney Alumnus of the Year Award’ from the chapter. Thanks Ryan for all you do to support the Fraternity and community.

07/07/2026

The ties that bind. As the country celebrated its 250th birthday this past weekend, Phis gathered across the country as well. Included in these gatherings were two different groups of Utah Alpha brothers who got together in two different parts of the country.

In Star Valley (Alpine) Wyoming, Brothers Josh Bailey (Utah ’99) and Jeremy 'Woody' Larsen (Utah 97) met up along with their wives. Pictured here (L-R): Jessica Bailey, Josh Bailey, Jeremy Larsen and Niki Milleson.

In Waterford, Virginia, Brothers Cary Mergele (Utah ’90), Carl Mergele (Utah ’85) and Scott Mietchen (Utah ’84) were together with other family and friends at the Mergele Farm near Leesburg, Virginia for the grand celebration. Pictured here (L-R): Cary Mergele, Carl Mergele, Anna Mergele, Lisa Mietchen and Scott Mietchen.

Proving once again that Phi Delta Theta is a Fraternity for Life.

07/04/2026

It was 87 years ago, this weekend, on July 4, 1939, that Brother Lou Gehrig (Columbia ’25) retired from baseball and gave what many consider one of the greatest speeches in sports history. In 1955 the International Fraternity created and first presented the annual “Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.” The award is presented annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Brother Gehrig. The award is permanently maintained at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York and is the only non-MLB award on permanent display at Cooperstown.

On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig delivered his famed "Luckiest Man" spee...

07/04/2026

06/25/2026

We are proud to have many of our undergraduate and alumni Phis involved in local, state and national issues and campaigns – and for both major parties. One Utah Phi will be on the ballot this November in Salt Lake County.

First elected in 2010, Brother Sim Gill (Utah ’85) will be running as the Democratic candidate for his fifth term as the Salt Lake County District Attorney. He has been a strong supporter of Phi Delta Theta and Utah Alpha and has attended and spoken at many chapter events. He was also the recipient of the ‘Edward J. Whitney Alumnus of the Year Award’ from the Fraternity in 2016.

Good luck Brother Gill!