Phi Delta Chi was founded to foster a lifelong growth in academics, professionalism, and fraternalism among brothers. As a professional pharmacy fraternity, we strive to reach out to the community and our patients. Brother Marco Villa of the class of 1996 was the embodiment of what Phi Delta Chi stands for. His convivial personality, self-determination, and drive for community service not only affect those around him, but those that follow in his footsteps. Diagnosed with a cardiac condition, Brother Villa did not let this deter him from pushing forward, forever changing the Alpha Sigma chapter. He was given his PharmD posthumously and his fellow brothers raised money with none other than the Marco Villa Raffle to establish the Phi Delta Chi Memorial Award. This raffle continues to this day, with many alumni, local businesses, faculty, and fellow classmates donating numerous of prizes to carry on in his memory. The event usually occurs every April and the money raised goes to a scholarship fund given to an active member in good standing with the chapter who has participated in a chapter committee or as an officer with the same values and drive as Brother Marco Villa.
This award is unique in the fact that we foster such an intimate bond with each other that we also understand what it means to lose someone close. We honor and carry on the fraternal spirit that Brother Villa exemplifies and to show that we are indeed brothers for life, both in the collegiate life and the beyond.
- John Kye, AE 1431