Meet the 2026 Founders Four: Maxwell Trophy Finalists
Each year, Phi Kappa Tau recognizes its most outstanding chapter with the Roland Maxwell Trophy. It is our highest chapter honor, awarded to the chapter that best exemplifies excellence across every dimension of fraternity life: academics, leadership, philanthropy, membership, and brotherhood.
The road to the Maxwell Trophy begins with an application process that includes letters of recommendation from university administrators, faculty advisors, and fraternity leaders who know these chapters best. This year, four chapters rose to the top.
University of Louisville | Beta Beta
Beta Beta has long been one of the most recognized chapters in Phi Kappa Tau, and this year's performance gave every indication of why. Seven brothers carried a 4.0 GPA, 32 made the Dean's List, and the chapter raised nearly $25,000 for SeriousFun Children's Network. Their campus impact extended well beyond the chapter house, with brothers holding elected student government positions and founding entrepreneurial ventures that are gaining real traction.
University of Kentucky | Kappa
With more than 140 active members, Kappa has grown into one of the largest chapters in the fraternity without losing sight of what matters. They ranked fourth among 20 IFC chapters for fall semester GPA, earned IFC Executive Board representation for the second consecutive year, and continued their sustained commitment to SeriousFun volunteerism at Flying Horse Farm.
University of Idaho | Beta Gamma
Beta Gamma's path to this recognition required something different, a full cultural overhaul of the chapter. After a challenging period, the chapter recommitted to its values under strong leadership, avoided organizational misconduct, and came out the other side with its largest formal recruitment class in recent memory. All this while also raising more than $5,000 raised for SeriousFun Children's Network. Their outgoing chapter president was elected Executive Vice President of the IFC, a reflection of the respect the chapter has built across campus.
Belmont University | Zeta Alpha
For more than 20 years, Zeta Alpha has been the premier fraternity at Belmont University, and the only one to remain continuously active on campus throughout that time. The chapter maintains consistent academic excellence, holds national fraternity leadership among its membership, and has built a brotherhood that shows up when it matters most. Twenty years in, the standard has not slipped.
The Roland Maxwell Outstanding Chapter Award winner will be announced in late July. Follow Phi Kappa Tau on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to find out which chapter takes home the honor.