Phi Delta Theta Announces Peer Mentor Class for the 2023 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute
Phi Delta Theta is proud to announce its 2023 Peer Mentor class for the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute. The program, open to undergraduate Phis entering their junior or senior year, focuses on enhancing leadership and group facilitation skills and provides specialized education; this allows peer mentors to become more familiar with Phi Delta Theta as an international organization.
Each undergraduate peer mentor is paired with a faculty member and becomes an integral part of his Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute chapter. He navigates the conference with the delegates in his Kleberg chapter, sits with them during General Sessions, and assists the lead faculty member in facilitating the chapter meeting curriculum.
Peer mentors also participate in unique educational opportunities during Kleberg, including discussions and presentation topics vital to Phi Delta Theta and the broader inter-fraternal world.
Phi Delta Theta would like to thank Clay and Debbie Jones for sponsoring the Peer Mentor program and the Leadership and Ethics Academy.
2023 Peer Mentor Class
Abram Bender – Louisiana Epsilon, Louisiana Tech University
Abram Bender has served as the first chapter president for two years and is the first founder of the Louisiana Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Louisiana Tech University. He is studying cyber engineering with minors in computer science, mathematics, and game design.
Abram has been heavily involved in many on-campus organizations including the Student Government Association, the Union Board, Student Recruiters, the Peer Leadership Council, the Engineering and Science Association, the National Association of Engineering Student Councils, the Interfraternity Council, Career Center Ambassadors, and several others. In his free time, Abram enjoys hanging out with his chapter brothers, playing video games, working out, watching television, reading, and finding ways to improve himself.
Alexander Williams – Virginia Lambda Emerging Chapter, George Mason University
Alex currently serves as the emerging chapter president of Virginia Lambda at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He is pursuing a dual degree in criminology and global affairs with a concentration in homeland security. Alex is also active in George Mason’s Student Involvement Office where he is a campus event lead for the Patriot Activities Council and the chair of the University Life Committee in Student Government. In his free time, he enjoys being active outdoors, spending time with friends, and spending some time on the golf course.
Alvaro Rodriguez – Louisiana Epsilon, Louisiana Tech University
Alvaro Giovanni Solorio attends Louisiana Tech University. Gio serves his chapter as vice president in his second term and is a nutrition and dietetics major who is involved in his college as a College of Human Ecology Ambassador and as a member of the Student Dietetic Association and enjoys playing soccer in his free time along with playing ultimate team FIFA and lifting weights.
Bobby Mann – Wisconsin Zeta, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Bobby currently serves as president of the Wisconsin Zeta chapter and is the current Interfraternity Council President at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. He is studying business management with a nonprofit emphasis and religious studies minor paired with a marketing certificate. In his free time, Bobby likes to hike, road trips, and paint.
Brandon Castro – Wisconsin Zeta, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Brandon currently serves as philanthropy and community service chairman of Wisconsin Zeta at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. He studies general business and is looking into a human resources major. Brandon is also involved in intramural sports as he is the captain of his volleyball team. In his free time, he enjoys bowling with his friends, going to the gym, going to Brewers games, and working on homework with others in the UWW University Center.
Brayden Schneider – Oklahoma Beta, Oklahoma State University
Brayden Schneider previously served as the risk manager and president of the Oklahoma Beta Chapter. After completing his undergraduate degree in business management, he will continue his education as an MBA student at Oklahoma State University. Brady enjoys spending time with his friends and weightlifting in his free time.
Colby Guenther – Oregon Beta, Oregon State University
Colby Guenther currently is serving as chapter president of Oregon Beta at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. He is studying business administration and will be graduating in 2025. In his free time enjoys playing intramural sports, hiking, and anything outdoors.
Douglas Ray – Michigan Delta, Kettering University
Douglas currently serves as recruitment chairman of Michigan Delta at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. He is studying electrical and computer engineering and is involved in leadership organizations on campus. Doug also has a co-op at Ford Motor Company where he works two, three-month terms every year. In his free time, Doug enjoys playing sports, working on cars, and going outdoors.
Dylan Leipold – Ohio Epsilon, University of Akron
Dylan currently serves as his chapter’s alumni secretary while studying at the University of Akron’s College of Business. He will be spending the summer as an intern for a local nonprofit and is looking forward to living in the chapter house this fall. As an Akron native, Dylan spends a lot of his free time on the hiking trails around the city or working on home improvement projects, and he also enjoys downtown Akron.
Ethan Dinunzio, Utah Alpha, University of Utah
Ethan Dinunzio has served as the 2022 and 2023 Utah Alpha president. He is also studying finance at the Eccles School of Business.
Kevin Somel – Washington Delta, University of Puget Sound
Kevin currently has the honor of serving his chapter as the alumni chair and will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics from the University of Puget Sound. He actively participates on the interfraternity council’s executive board and has been blessed with the opportunity to play football for the university since his freshmen year. Overall, he is a very open, talkative, emotionally intelligent person that has a lot of pride in finding understanding in conversations and Phi Delta Theta.
Kyle Heffernan – Kentucky Epsilon, University of Kentucky
Kyle is the previous chapter president of Kentucky Epsilon at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. He studies product design and is also pursuing a distillation and brewing sciences certificate. He is also involved in the Industrial Design Society of America at UK and serves as their treasurer. He has served as president of the Interfraternity Council at Kentucky and in various positions within Phi Delt, including awards chairman, scholarship chairman, and treasurer. He can be found in his studio designing and creating projects for his major when he’s not busy with chapter activities. In his free time, he occasionally enjoys watching the Kentucky Wildcats and the New York Jets.
Kyle Lass – Florida Theta, University of Tampa
Currently a second-term philanthropy chairman for Florida Theta. Kyle currently serves in the United States Army Reserve Component while simultaneously being an Army ROTC cadet. He studies finance with minors in marketing and leadership studies and holds a 3.36 GPA.
Luke Fenstermacher – Michigan Delta, Kettering University
Luke currently serves as chapter president of Michigan Delta at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering with minors in business, computer science, and artificial intelligence. Luke is a mentor for his old high school’s robotics team, participates in the planning of Kettering’s freshman orientation each fall, and likes to volunteer through organizations on campus. In his free time, Luke enjoys camping, painting, and making lamps.
Nolan Kamoo – Michigan Zeta, Central Michigan University
Nolan currently serves as chapter president of Michigan Zeta at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He studies secondary education with a focus on social studies and organizational leadership. His minors include history, political science, and disciplinary leadership. Nolan’s other involvements include serving as president of the Interfraternity Council and as a staff assistant for Leadership Safari, the flagship program of the Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute which involves more than 1,000 incoming freshmen and transfer students each year. In his free time, Nolan enjoys playing water polo and traveling.
William Chen – Ontario Gamma, McMaster University
William currently serves as chapter president of Ontario Gamma at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He studies honors biology with a minor in innovations. William is heavily involved with on-campus leadership in the science faculty as well as the public speaking club. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, with an interest in powerlifting and bodybuilding, and enjoying wings on movie nights with friends.
William Banks – Alabama Beta, Auburn University
Will currently serves as the chapter president for Alabama Beta and previously served as the house manager from November 2021-22. Will is a rising senior at Auburn studying building science. Outside of the Fraternity, Will is involved in multiple on-campus organizations such as Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, and Sigma Lambda Chi. After college, Will plans to start a career in the construction industry with the hopes of becoming a superintendent. War Eagle!
Zachary Michael Fry – Pennsylvania Delta, Allegheny College
Zach currently serves as chapter treasurer of Pennsylvania Delta at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He is currently studying biochemistry with a minor in Spanish in hopes of attending medical school. Zach is heavily involved in fraternity life also serving as Allegheny’s IFC president while maintaining a healthy relationship with his martial arts background. In his free time, he enjoys practicing martial arts, watching shows, and taking walks when the weather is nice.
