Phil Ryan ‘65
Man of Achievement

Phillip Ryan to Receives Phi Kappa Theta’s Man of Achievement Award in Worcester, MA.

WORCESTER, MA — Philip Ryan was honored with the Man of Achievement by the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Worcester, MA.

Brother Ryan joined the Massachusetts Lambda Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta National Fraternity as an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was recognized during WPI’s Homecoming Weekend.

Ryan graduated from WPI in 1965 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Busines School and was the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from WPI in 2018.

Brother Ryan forged a long and distinguished career. He cofounded The Bigelow Company, a highly successful management consulting and mergers and acquisitions advisory boutique. Moving on after two decades, he went on to lead several well-know New Hampshire organizations, serving as CEO of Elliot Health Systems, as president of Optima Health, and as CEO of Merchants Automotive Group.

In 1999, he was elected to the WPI Board of Trustees. In 2013, WPI issued an urgent call asking Phil to step in and serve as interim president, which he accepted. Under his open and energetic stewardship, the university didn’t miss a beat, moving forward with a major fundraising campaign and celebrating its 150th anniversary under his leadership.

Following his year as WPI’s interim president, he served as Chair of WPI’s Board of Trustees for two years and continues to be active as a Trustee Emeritus.

He was actively engaged with the recolonization of the chapter in 2007 and served for many years on the chapter’s advisory board. He has mentored countless MA Lambda brothers, with whom he remains close today.

The Man of Achievement Award, started in 1980 and awarded by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, is the highest honor bestowed upon Brothers of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity from the Foundation.  The award recognizes members who have risen to prominence in their chosen fields and remain committed to being servant leaders.

The Phi Kappa Theta National Foundation raises money and manages financial resources to support the academic and educational development of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity’s brothers, chapters, and colonies. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1954 through the generosity of Brother Paul Galvin (Illinois Institute of Technology), President and Founder of the Motorola Corporation.

Today, the Foundation’s board, volunteers, and staff work together to support the next generation of servant leaders.