On April 24, 2026, we celebrated the 36th annual Jeffrey R. Cudlip Memorial Dinner at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, hosted by Board of Trustees President Scott Oswald (Col class of ’90) and his wife, Susan Oswald (Col class of ’91). Attendees included alumni and their wives, as well as house officers and their dates. It was a terrific opportunity for alumni and actives to spend time together, and more importantly, for all of us to reflect on the importance of our shared brotherhood as embodied by Jeffrey Cudlip. Jeffrey was a beloved brother in the Class of 1990 who died during a tragic swimming accident.
At the conclusion of cocktails and dinner, a couple of awards were presented. The first award, The Chick Cudlip Award (in honor of Jeffrey’s father) is awarded to the alumnus who has had a significant impact on the brotherhood. This year’s honoree is
Mike Melley (Col class of ’91). Mike was co-chair of the 150th Anniversary Reunion in 2023, and it was in this capacity that Mike led the fundraising charge. Under Mike’s leadership, we raised over $400,000. These funds were put to good use to ensure that One University Circle remains the epicenter of fraternity life for years to come. Mike has informed the Board that he is stepping away now that the fund has been closed. Mike, we are forever indebted to you!
The Harry R. Marshall, Jr. Award for Excellence is presented annually to the undergraduate who has made the most lasting contribution to the fraternity in the eyes of the alumni. This year’s recipient is Sam Moran (Engr class of ’26). By now, all of you should be familiar with Sam, the Phi House’s first two-term President. When Sam was first elected President as a second-year, he set several objectives: strengthen the bonds of the actives, make the house a welcoming place for Phi alumni, increase the number of actives through a reinvigorated rush effort, and to improve the financial health of the house. Sam hit the ball out of the park — mission accomplished! Sam, we are incredibly appreciative of all your efforts to leave this place in far better shape than most of us thought possible.
After dinner, the group headed over to The House, where the following annual awards were presented in front of the entire active brotherhood.
To honor Jeff’s life and ensure he is never forgotten, The Cudlip Award was created to honor the outstanding NIB (Newly Initiated Brother) as voted by his pledge class. This year, this prestigious award was bestowed upon Sam Lindsey (Engr class of ’28). This was a close vote, as the class is filled with several outstanding brothers. However, Sam stood out because in addition to being a reliable brother, he is an even better guy! He not only has the respect of his PC, but of the entire brotherhood and Board of Trustees.
The Record: The Record is Phi Society’s oldest and most prestigious award. It is given at the conclusion of each academic year to the “Best Phi,” or rather, the brother who has made the most lasting contribution to the fraternity during his time at the University as voted by the actives. Unsurprisingly, the award went to Sam Moran (Engr class of ’26).
Maupin Pence Memorial Award: This award is given to the undergraduate brother who has achieved academic excellence while an undergraduate member. The award is named in honor of Maupin Pence, who was a longtime chapter advisor to the Phi house in the 1950s and 1960s. This year’s award went to Rajiv Koliwad (Col class of ’26). Rajiv is a thoughtful guy and a terrific brother. However, he spent far too many hours studying and not enough time “relaxing” with his brothers.
Joseph C. Tunner ’63 Memorial Award: The Tunner award is given for athletic achievement. It is named in honor of Joseph Tunner.
“Joe was a beloved brother who died in a tragic accident. Joe had gone to Longwood for a date, and on the way back to Charlottesville, fell asleep at the wheel of his VW Beetle and crashed into a tree. The following week, the actives caravanned down to his hometown of Gloucester, Virginia, for a memorial ceremony. Joe was a great guy and is still missed.” – Vic Bell (Engr class of ’65, Darden class of ’67)
“In law school in the early 1990s, I met a guy named Billy Tunner – a very good athlete – and quickly made the connection to Joseph C. Tunner, the uncle he never met. About a week after that first meeting, Billy stopped me to relay a conversation he had with his father. He said his dad got deeply choked up at the realization that his lost brother was still being honored decades later by a chain of UVA students who never knew him.” – Sam Tarry (Col class of ’91)
The Tunner award is given to the brother who participates in a combination of varsity, club, or intramural sports. This year’s award was presented to Ryan Seidensticker (Com class of ’26). “Sticks” is a terrific athlete who plays on all the Phi intramural teams (except soccer, for some reason). He is also an outstanding golfer who led UVA’s club team to a national ranking.
Sticks had to join via Zoom as he was at the PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Association National Championship in New Mexico.
The evening concluded with the NIBs leading all those assembled in a rousing version of “The Good Ship Phi” and “The Good Old Song.”
