City of Oxford Declares July 20, 2026 ‘Phi Delta Theta Week’
Oxford, OH, July 20, 2026 – The City of Oxford proudly announces the official proclamation of the week of July 20, 2026, as “Phi Delta Theta Week” as the city prepares to host over 1,100 Phi Delta Theta members. This recognition, declared by Mayor Michael Smith, honors the Fraternity’s significant contributions to the community and its historic importance.
“The Fraternity holds its annual Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute in Oxford, Ohio, to promote the ideas of scholarship, service to others, leadership, personal development, and fraternal values and ethics to its diverse membership.”
Michael Smith, Mayor of Oxford, Ohio
Almost every summer since 1990, hundreds of undergraduate and alumni Phis have gathered in Oxford, Ohio, for the Fraternity’s Leadership College. To date, nearly 20,000 Phi Delts have attended what is now known as the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. Kleberg, named for benefactors Tio Kleberg, Texas Tech ’69, and Janell Kleberg, is a cornerstone of Phi Delta Theta’s membership development program.
About Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute
Designed for young members of the Fraternity who aspire to one day lead their chapter, Kleberg is an amazing opportunity for members to learn more about Phi Delta Theta beyond the borders of their campus, develop relations with brothers from across the organization, and build the skills necessary to become a better leader and Phi.
Over three days, attendees have the opportunity to listen to world-class speakers, attend educational sessions about important topics, and participate in small group discussions with other undergraduate brothers led by Phi Delt volunteers. The Kleberg experience builds on what one has learned during an undergraduate’s time in the Fraternity while preparing him for more prominent leadership roles within the chapter. For example, over 40 percent of Phis who attend Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute go on to become the president of their chapter.
Founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on December 26, 1848, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has 194 chapters and emerging chapters and 85 alumni clubs across the United States and Canada. To date, the Fraternity has initiated nearly 280,000 men into the society whose founding principles are Friendship, Sound Learning, and Rectitude. In 2000, Phi Delta Theta became the largest fraternity to implement an alcohol-free housing policy in all facilities. Guided today by its Phi Delt 2030 strategic plan, Phi Delta Theta’s vision is to be recognized as the premier fraternal leadership development society in North America.
