Phi Delta Theta Awards Howard Gellis the Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award
The Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award was donated by the Seattle Alumni Club in memory of a Washington Phi who served as a member of the General Council. The Gardner Award was first presented in 1960 and is annually awarded to an alumnus who best exemplifies the teachings of The Bond of Phi Delta Theta through his activities in higher education and community service. During the 85th General Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Phi Delta Theta recognized Brother Howard Gellis, Pennsylvania ’75, with the 2025 Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award.
Gellis was initiated by the Pennsylvania Zeta Chapter at the University of Pennsylvania on March 26, 1972. As an undergraduate at Penn, he exemplified the curiosity and brotherly commitment that are foundational to our Fraternity. After graduating in 1975, he earned his MBA from the Wharton School of Business, one of the most respected institutions in the world of finance and leadership.
Brother Gellis has built a remarkable career as a leader in corporate finance, investment management, and private equity investing. With decades of expertise in mezzanine and structured capital investments, he spent a significant portion of his career with The Blackstone Group, where he served as senior managing director and head of Blackstone Mezzanine Partners. Under his leadership, Blackstone raised and managed over $3 billion in mezzanine capital across multiple funds. He was instrumental in the firm’s expansion into middle-market investing, helping companies grow while providing value to stakeholders at every level.
Today, Brother Gellis serves as managing partner at Emerald Creek Capital, a prominent real estate investment firm headquartered in New York. At Emerald Creek, he continues to lend his strategic insight and leadership to a wide range of complex transactions across the country. His professional reputation is one of sharp intellect, integrity, and long-term vision. Beyond his professional success, Brother Gellis is an extraordinary philanthropist and advocate for education.
His generosity to the Phi Delta Theta Foundation stands as a testament to his deep commitment to the Fraternity’s mission. Through his giving over the years, he has helped strengthen leadership development, scholarship support, and programming that directly impacts the lives of countless undergraduate Phis. Howard has also contributed his time and expertise to the Fraternity’s leadership. He is a current Trustee of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation Board of Trustees and serves as a committee member for the Joint Investment Committee. Brother Gellis has played a meaningful role in shaping the strategic direction of our philanthropic efforts, where his wisdom and financial stewardship helped advance the Foundation’s ability to serve both present and future generations of Phis. Those who know Howard speak not only of his professional accomplishments, but of his personal generosity, humility, and passion for helping others succeed. His story is one of quiet leadership—of building others up, giving back, and demonstrating through action what it means to live out the values of our Fraternity beyond college years. Brother Gellis continues to be a dedicated family man, mentor, and example of what lifelong brotherhood looks like when lived to its fullest.
For his enduring dedication to Phi Delta Theta, his unwavering belief in the power of education and philanthropy, and his remarkable impact on the lives of others, it is with deep gratitude and pride that the General Council of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity recognizes Brother Howard Gellis with the Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award.
