JAYLEN JUDE’S: TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Remember High School Superlatives – Best Dressed, Most Original, Most Likely to Succeed, and Best All Around? Jaylen Jude, Valparaiso ’21 definitely embodies these superlatives and more.
Jude, a 2024 graduate in business management and first year Valpo Graduate School student, has been a leader in Phi Psi since his freshman year, serving as Risk Management Chair, Intramural Chair, Parliamentarian, Corresponding Secretary, and Messenger, some of these during a very challenging period for Indiana Epsilon.Instead of shying away from the challenges, he stepped forward with others in his class to “initiate a complete transformation” of the Chapter’s culture. Judeandeightotherbrothersrebuilt the relationship and trust of the University and Headquarters to put the Chapter on the right path and Jude on a continued path of transformative leadership. In 2023, Jude was elected to serve the brotherhood as the District III Archon, continuing his tradition of transformative leadership at the national level.
Jude stands out academically as well. He started his tenure at Valpo as a Lilly Endowment Scholarship recipient, a program which provides four full-tuition scholarships to selected students from each county in Indiana. This past spring, Jude became a 2024 Phi Psi National Scholarship awardee, receiving the William H. Blanning Scholarship. The Blanning Scholarship is awarded to brothers attending graduate school who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and character. William Blanning, Dickinson ’37, believed in the brotherhood of Phi Psi, and this scholarship was created for those demonstrating leadership and character, exactly as Jaylen Jude does daily.
In his commencement speech “The Journey of Resilience” given as the student speaker at Valparaiso’s 2024 graduation, Jude said “Yes, I am here. But I’m not here because of myself. I’m here because of those who helped me.” Jaylen credits being ready for life and his future not only to his dedication and grit, but to his professors, classmates, family, and Phi Psi brothers. “You need to find the people who value you. Find them and cherish every moment you have with them. Those are the ones who are going to stick around forever. It’s not just a college friendship; they’ve all become part of my family.”
William Blanning remembered Phi Kappa Psi in his estate when he passed away at the age of 95. The Blanning Scholarship is one of 15 named scholarships in the Phi Kappa Psi National Scholarship Program. National Scholarships recognize undergraduate and graduate Phi Psis who excel in the areas of academics, chapter leadership, and campus involvement. Recipients like Jaylen Jude display outstanding academic achievement and excellence in service to Phi Psi, their campuses and communities, as well as active membership in athletics, campus organizations, community groups, and philanthropies. These awards are possible because of gifts of Phi Psis like William Blanning and alumni who want to make sure brothers are ready for life.