John is always present and radiating with joy over whatever achievement the chapter’s recently reached. He’s incredibly proud, yet humble, and quick to point out that the work was shared across a number of folks. However, we are not naïve and know for certain much of the chapter’s successes are in part because of his continued and unwavering commitment to guide, coach, and mentor the undergraduate men so that they may become the greatest versions of themselves. In many instances, John has put forth the extra effort and energy to handle difficult situations, resolve conflict and, put simply, get things done. He does all of this expecting nothing in return less the betterment of the Fraternity.
To learn more about John and his contributions to the Pennsylvania Eta Chapter at Lehigh University, please read the biography shared with his award announcement below:
Brother Papazian started as a freshman at Lehigh University in 1974. He was initiated into Phi Delta Theta during his freshman year, and was an active member his entire four years at Lehigh. During this time, Brother Papazian held minor positions within the chapter, but never held an executive board position. He became an Alumnus of the Pennsylvania Eta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta in 1978, when he graduated from Lehigh with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.
John began his career as an Engineering Manager at Lehn & Fink, a firm that produced household goods such as Lysol. During this time, he also pursued an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. In 1989, Brother Papazian started at The Mennen Company, which would later be acquired by Colgate-Palmolive, where he has worked ever since. Brother Papazian currently serves as Colgate-Palmolive’s Worldwide Director of Global Information Technology.
In 2001, the Phi Delta Theta Chapter suspended operations at Lehigh University indefinitely. In 2012, Lehigh University put out a call to National and International fraternities that it wished to expand Greek Life for Lehigh men by adding another fraternity. Brother John Papazian saw this as an opportunity to rebuild Pennsylvania Eta into the thriving brotherhood that he experienced as an active Samuel V. Stone Outstanding Chapter Adviser of the Year Award brother, and a way to pass on to new Lehigh Students the pride and excitement associated with becoming a Phi.
Brother Papazian was highly influential in rallying alumni support for the recolonization of Pennsylvania Eta, a fact that was cited as a major reason for Lehigh supporting Phi Delta Theta over the approximately 20 other fraternities that submitted applications to install chapters at Lehigh. Brother Papazian’s incredible dedication gave the University comfort in knowing that this new chapter would have the support needed to grow and be successful at Lehigh.
Since the reinstallation of the Chapter, Brother Papazian has undertaken countless monumental tasks associated with bringing the Pennsylvania Eta chapter to where it is now. Along with his wife Carol, Brother Papazian spent countless hours planning the installation ceremony of Pennsylvania Eta. He attended almost every colony meeting, and almost every chapter meeting following installation. He was incredibly influential in raising close to $100,000 in donations from fellow alumni in order to furnish our new Chapter House. He took it upon himself to locate, refinish, and frame every Pennsylvania Eta Composite from 1960 until 2001. This list, however is not fully inclusive of all the work and minor tasks that Brother Papazian took on to help Pennsylvania Eta reestablish itself within Lehigh’s community.