Empowering Future Leaders: Introducing the Craig Scholars Program
The Craig Scholars Program aims to expand Kleberg’s leadership learning opportunities to more Phis
In April 2024, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation received its third $1 million donation from a living donor. This generous gift from Mark Craig, Colorado State ’71, and his wife Shirley, both retired public servants, reflecting their passion for education and leadership development. This substantial contribution highlights their commitment to the Foundation’s mission.
Such a donation highlights the transformative power of philanthropy on individuals and communities. Mark and Shirley, who spent thirty years as educators, have grown concerned about the evolving education system and diminishing leadership opportunities. Rather than giving a gift as part of their estate (Living Bond Society), they wanted to witness the impact of their generous donation on Phi Delta Theta undergraduate members. With this donation, they aim to foster a lifelong enthusiasm for learning and leadership among students.
What are the key components of the scholars program (curriculum, expectations, outcomes)?
The goal of the Craig Scholars is to provide support for engaging and educating chapter leaders based on member and Phi Delta Theta needs. program provides ongoing opportunities to include conference tracks aimed at educating executive officers such as chaplains, Phikeia educators, and others. It strengthens the effectiveness of Phi Delta Theta’s member development programs, resulting in a greater impact for more members and enhancing the Phi Delt experience.
What differentiates it from other educational programs the Fraternity offers?
The Craig Scholars experience will be tailored to the current needs of Phi Delta Theta and its members. By design, the Craig Scholars program is nimbler and aims to prepare members for career readiness and post-graduate responsibilities.
What role will this program play in achieving the goals outlined in Phi Delt 2030?
The Craig Scholars program will help secure Phi Delta Theta’s recognition as the premier leadership development society in North America by preparing its members to lead in an ever-changing world. Specifically, this program will support the growth of our best-in-class in-person conferences by ensuring a rotating officer track at Kleberg annually based on the needs of the Fraternity.
When will Phi Delt introduce the program?
When will Phi Delt introduce the program? At the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute, August 2–5, 2025, with the Phikeia Education and Recruitment Tracks providing critical education on two things all Phis experience—seeking and educating new members.
Will this program target a particular chapter officer, or will anyone in the chapter be able to attend/apply?
This program has the opportunity to target a different type of chapter leader based on the current needs of members and the Fraternity. For this first year, Phikeia educators and recruitment chairmen are eligible.
What leadership qualities does the program aim to cultivate?
The Craig Scholars program offers high-value in-person educational opportunities that will aide undergraduate officers in reaching their full potential as an emerging leader while preparing them with the needed soft-skills post-graduation in areas of personal and professional development, financial literacy, and working across teams and with people from varied backgrounds.
How can Foundation-funded educational programs support our students in the current challenges they face?
Student loan debt in 2024 peaked at $1.77 billion. With the cost of higher education at an all-time high, undergraduates are assessing organizations and their return on investment. The Phi Delta Theta Foundation funds educational programming, grants, and scholarships to give our undergraduate members experience and skills that can be marketed in the workplace. Students are not being taught the soft skills necessary to excel in their careers in the classroom. Through the flagship conferences funded by the Phi Delta Theta Foundation—Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute and the McKenzie Family Presidents Leadership Conference—attendees meet fellow Phis from across North America, share their challenges, and develop a network to tackle them. Those attendees take the lessons learned back to build a stronger chapter across the nearly two hundred campuses and foster connections for the nearly 14,000 undergraduate members.
Why are donations of any size critical to the support of our undergraduate members?
As a private foundation, the Phi Delta Theta does not get public funding like a university. If every Phi gave back what they could annually—be it $10 or $10 million—the Phi Delta Theta Foundation would be able to fund young leaders for generations of Phis to come. The importance of giving back to the Phi Delta Theta Foundation can be traced from Robert Morrison’s philosophy, “To do what ought to be done but would not have been done unless I did it, I thought to be my duty.” In doing what ought to be done, you support your brothers’ educational and leadership pursuits. Your generosity allows brothers whose shoes you were once in to become the greatest version of themselves.
“We are so grateful for the support of Mark and Shirley Craig to ensure that future Phi Delts are equipped with the skills and tactics they need to be successful beyond their college years. Their gift will help drive further development of leaders and aid them in translating their chapter experiences to their future careers. ”
Aaron Hollis, Director of Education
“The strength of Phi Delta Theta has always been its commitment to developing principled leaders who make a lasting impact on their communities and careers. Janell and I believed and continue to believe in the power of leadership education which is why we first supported the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute in 2012 and continue to support the growth of the program. The Craig Scholars program builds upon that vision—expanding opportunities for young men to translate their fraternity experience into meaningful success in their personal and professional lives.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of Mark and Shirley Craig, the Craig Scholars program will equip future generations of Phi Delts with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead with integrity and purpose. This program is a significant step toward a shared goal I have long held with the Fraternity—to educate 2,000 students annually at the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute.
“With the support of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation and dedicated brothers and friends like the Craigs, we are ensuring that Phi Delts are prepared to lead in an ever-changing world. ”—Tio Kleberg
