Kyle Bailey has a genuine passion for investing in the lives of students -a passion that was likely cultivated through his upbringing in a family that values higher education. During the 70s and 80s, Kyle’s father, Ron K. Bailey, was an instructor, administrator and later became President and owner of Strayer University in Washington, D.C.

An illness in the late 90s motivated a career change for Kyle’s father. Selling his interest in the university, he eventually established The Bailey Family Foundation to fulfill a dream of providing quality higher education through academic scholarships. Today, Kyle works alongside his farther and his brother Kent, executing on that dream and managing the operations of the family foundation. Each year they award close to $2.5 million in scholarships to students from high schools in Florida and Washington, D.C.

Already philanthropically minded, Kyle began investing in Phi Delta Theta not long after graduation. At first it was whatever I was moved to give at the time,he shares. As our family business grew and became more successful, I knew I would be able to give more, Phi Delt had such a big impact on my life, I want to help ensure that it will impact the lives of other men who join, he says.

With a determination, drive, and genuine care for improving students' lives through the gift of education, Kyle continues to set that standard, both in his career and in his giving to Phi Delta Theta. He joined the Trustees’ Roundtable in 2003, its inaugural year, with a commitment to give $1000 or more annually. Although his chapter is currently closed, Kyle continues to support the chapter's endowment fund for that day in the future when the chapter will return to Tampa.

Bailey says he’s grateful to Phi Delt for helping to grow his leadership and interpersonal skills. He joined as a junior transfer and jumped right in to serve as Vice President, gaining skills in fundraising, budgeting, and business management. As our projects were successful, it built my confidence to move on to bigger things, he shares. That same year, the chapter won the Kansas City Trophy at the convention in Scottsdale, Arizona. "We really knocked it out of the park," Bailey reminisces.

The relationships that grew out of his membership were significant too. Being a smaller chapter of 30-40 men meant that they were a close knit group. It was a great decision for me to join. I look back on the whole experience fondly. Even today, some of my best friends that I see all the time are brothers from my chapter," he shares.

Today, Kyle serves on the board of trustees for his alma mater. He is married to Michelle (also a University of Tampa graduate and member of Delta Gamma), and together, they have three sons, ages eight (8), six (6), and three (3). He has his pilot’s license and they spend time as a family traveling and exploring the islands of the Bahamas and other locales in the southeastern region.

Because of all the ways the Fraternity equipped him both socially and professionally, Kyle Bailey gives back so that he can leave a Phi Delta Theta legacy for the next generation of Fraternity brothers.