Phi Delta Theta Awards the Legion of Merit Award to Rudy Porchivina
For his lifelong dedication and commitment to Phi Delta Theta, the Fraternity honored Brother Rudy M. Porchivina, San Jose State ’89, with the Legion of Merit at the 2023 General Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Legion of Merit Award honors those outstanding members of our Fraternity who have made a lifelong commitment to the service of Phi Delta Theta. The recipients of this award are not only living testimony that Phi Delta Theta is a Fraternity for Life, but they are also the men who give this phrase meaning for so many Phis.
“From his time as a chapter adviser, province president, and ultimately president of the General Council, Rudy Porchivina has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to the betterment of Phi Delta Theta. After decades of volunteering, Rudy continues to serve the Fraternity by working with undergraduates and alumni as a faculty member and frequent speaker at various Fraternity leadership conferences. We are deeply grateful for his exemplary dedication to Phi Delta Theta and his efforts to create a positive legacy by meaningfully impacting the lives of our members,” said General Council President J. David Almacy.
Brother Porchivina was initiated into Phi Delta Theta by the California Iota Chapter at San Jose State University on May 9, 1986. As an undergraduate, he served as his chapter’s Phikeia educator, recruitment chairman, and president. In 1988, he received the John Jackson Outstanding Brother Award before graduating with a BA in political science. Prior to his time at San Jose State University, he served in the United States Marine Corps.
His devotion to the Fraternity and the California Iota Chapter spans decades. He served as chapter advisory board chairman and later became president of the house corporation in 1992, serving five years in that position. In 1997, he co-founded the North Bay Alumni Club. Following his many years of involvement as a Fraternity volunteer at the local level, he was appointed province president of Omicron East Province, a post he held from 1997-2000. In 2000, he was elected to the General Council, serving as reporter, treasurer, and then elected the 61st General Council president during 2006-2008. Rudy has led the Fraternity through some significant changes during a transformational time, as Phi Delta Theta sought to set itself apart from the rest of the Greek community and embarked on implementing alcohol-free housing.
The True Blue Society was also created, implemented, and launched under this brother’s leadership. This society includes scores of successful men from every walk of life who continue to support Phi Delta Theta throughout their lives. Membership in the True Blue Society helps to improve alumni programming, support our volunteers, alumni clubs, alumni engagement, and networking. Membership also helps preserve the traditions of excellence associated with Phi Delta Theta and is an example of pride and dedication for future generations of Phis.
Rudy has attended more than fifty Fraternity conferences, including General Conventions, General Officers Conferences, the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institutes, and the McKenzie Family Presidents Leadership Conferences, where he has participated as a faculty member at many of these conferences. He is known for his impactful speeches while educating and empowering members through his deeply rooted passion for the principles outlined in The Bond and the Fraternity.
As an entrepreneur, he is the owner of a Sonoma Sourdough Sandwiches franchise and was recognized in 2020-21 by Unsheltered Friends Outreach of Rohnert Park with the Hunger Hero Award for providing over 1,700 weekly meals to those experiencing homelessness. He has also been the managing partner of Porchivina & Associates Public Relations. He and his wife, Deborah, split their time between Mississippi and Novato, California. They have a daughter, Grace; and two sons, Matthew, a Phi Delt from the University of Mississippi; and John, a Phi Delt from Berkley.
