Volunteer Profile – Kris Dudziak
Kris Dudziak, Minnesota State Mankato ’81, is a retired senior manager, business operations, home care, and hospice at HealthPartners in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Kris currently serves the Fraternity as the Jordan, Minnesota First Thursdays with the Phis leader. This summer, Kris volunteered as faculty at the 2025 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute.
From left to right: Kris Dudziak, ’81, Fred Schultz, ’74, and Chris Aitken, ’04
Tell me about your undergraduate fraternity experience. Why did you choose Phi Delta Theta, and do you have any favorite memories you would like to share?
I joined Phi Delta Theta because of the guys I met at the chapter house and my wanting to better ‘belong’ at the university. I have many fond memories of my days as an active member. I held the positions of recruitment chair, house manager, social chair, and president. During my time at the Minnesota Beta Chapter at Minnesota State Mankato, we took part in many fundraising events for charity. We consistently won at events like the campus-wide Charity Carnival and organized several trampoline jump marathons, raising thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society. In fact, Minnesota Beta was awarded the Paul C. Beam Trophy for one of the trampoline jump marathons.
How have you stayed connected with Phi Delta Theta after graduation?
As a member, I made many lifelong friends among fellow undergraduates and alumni. In fact, about twenty to twenty-five of us go fishing together every year, and we have been doing so for the past forty-six years! One of our great alumni, Doug Larson, ’69, inspired me as an undergrad. He was our province president at the time and gave the chapter several presentations. After one of them, he took me aside and encouraged me to run for chapter president and to always strive to reach my full potential.
Who or what inspired you to become a volunteer? What would you tell someone who is considering volunteering for Phi Delta Theta?
Fellow brother and Foundation Trustee Emeritus Fred Schultz, ’74, asked me to consider becoming a faculty member at Kleberg. My time there was an incredible experience; I led an outstanding group of undergraduates in the Alpha Eta chapter and had an amazing peer mentor, Brysen Morgan. I encourage alumni to volunteer for Kleberg and to actively participate in their local area chapters; volunteering is reenergizing! As the leader of our First Thursday with the Phis get-togethers, it’s rewarding to reconnect with Phi Delt brothers from my chapter and to meet and get to know Phis from other chapters as well.
Kris Dudziak with the Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta during the 2025 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. Peer mentor Brysen Morgan pictured holding the flag, Kris is behind him on the left.
I have used this quote throughout my business career and would advise our current undergraduates to take it to heart:
“Not only not less, but greater than transmitted to me.”—The Phikeia Oath
By doing so in all his endeavors, a man can truly become the greatest version of himself.
