Honoring a Legacy: Kentucky Theta’s First Dr. Ralph “Doc” Thompson Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Brother Doc Thompson’s story started in small-town South Bend, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1963 with a physics and chemistry degree. After graduation, he took a two-year postdoctoral research position at Indiana University. Upon its end, he was on the lookout for a teaching position. Though his search found many good opportunities, President Martin offered him a job on the spot after his interview to join the Eastern Kentucky faculty. In 1968, Doc was asked by a group of students to be a faculty sponsor of the brand-new fraternity chapter, Phi Delta Theta, and his life was never the same. His great joys in life consisted of family, UT Sports, and Phi Delta Theta.
To honor his extraordinary service to the Fraternity, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation proudly announces the creation and inaugural recipient of the Dr. Ralph “Doc” Thompson Memorial Scholarship at Kentucky Theta: Braden Kettenring, a brother whose journey into Phi Delta Theta was deeply shaped by Doc’s enduring legacy.
Braden vividly recalls the moment that changed his perspective during rush week at Eastern Kentucky University. “Doc gave one of his last speeches to the chapter, and it amazed me,” he said. “At the time, I believe he was ninety-two years old and spoke from his heart. He characterized the Fraternity not as a social club, but a brotherhood. From then on, I’ve always wanted to do the most for the chapter and continue his legacy.”
That commitment has been evident throughout Braden’s time at Kentucky Theta. A graduate of Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky, he is now majoring in fire protection administration with a minor in emergency medical care. “It’s the perfect combination for my future career as a firefighter,” he explained. “With EKU and the faculty of my college, I get to study the career I love and can’t wait to make it my full-time job.”
Beyond the classroom, Braden has embraced leadership roles within Phi Delta Theta, serving as IFC delegate, Phikeia educator, and now chapter president for 2025. “Being elected president will always be one of the greatest honors of my life,” he said. “Every day is a blessing. I get to see the bigger picture—how the chapter changes over time. I hope that at the end of my term, I will have learned the necessary skills and qualities it takes to be a captain in a department and to run a fire station.”
Leadership conferences such as McKenzie and Kleberg have also shaped his perspective. “I would encourage every single member to attend,” he said. “It’s eye-opening to see how vast and great Phi Delta Theta is beyond Richmond and Kentucky. You make connections with brothers from other chapters that you’ll keep for years.”
When asked what brotherhood means to him, Braden’s response was heartfelt: “Brotherhood is a deep bond and connection with others through shared experiences. It goes beyond friendship because it carries a sense of duty to another, whether by blood or not. The brotherhood that I found in Phi Delta Theta will be something I hold true to my heart for the rest of my life.”
Looking ahead, Braden plans to stay closely connected to the chapter after graduation. “In the future, I plan on becoming a member of the chapter advisory board, and one day I’d like to become the head chapter adviser of Kentucky Theta,” he said. “When you take great pride in something, you want to see how it turns out.”
Photo of Dr. Ralph “Doc” Thompson with chapter brothers from his alma mater, the University of Texas.
The Dr. Ralph “Doc” Thompson Memorial Scholarship was created to honor a man who served as chapter adviser from 1969 to 1996, guiding nearly six-hundred Phis during his tenure. With a fundraising goal of $250,000, the scholarship supports programming, facilities, and materials that foster personal growth and leadership development for Kentucky Theta members. As Doc once said, “We grow richer by giving, despite what others may say, for all we take beyond the grave is what we gave away.”
Braden’s selection as the first recipient is a testament to the scholarship’s mission. “It means the absolute world to me to be the first recipient of this scholarship,” he said. “Doc’s legacy will always inspire me to do more for my brothers and my chapter.”
