“I always tell people my degree says engineering, but I majored in Fraternity.”
Matt Maranto (Embry-Riddle, ‘85) arrived at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus in 1981 with little interest in joining a fraternity, let alone Lambda Chi Alpha. He admits he had a lot of misconceptions about what Fraternity/Sorority Life really was. That changed thanks to an unexpected friendship that started at an Air Force ROTC scholarship physical exam in Tampa he took when he was a senior in high school. Maranto didn’t know anyone else at the time. They were just a group of young co-eds taking the same tests and going their separate ways.
Nearly a year later by fate, in his first calculus class at Embry-Riddle, he recognized someone walking in the door.
“It was the same guy I met a year ago,” he remembered thinking. “I know you!” Neither received that scholarship, but you always miss when you don’t try.
They quickly reconnected and became study partners, meeting regularly to tackle their engineering coursework. But one day, his friend told him, “I can’t study with you on Monday nights anymore. I joined a fraternity.”
Maranto was skeptical, especially with the stereotypes and rumors that commonly floated around campus. He didn’t know much. “It’s not what you think,” his friend promised, inviting him to a Chapter meeting.
When Maranto finally accepted the invitation and walked into a small classroom of about 15 Brothers, the President of the Chapter simply said, “Welcome.” That one word made the difference. He felt at home right away and within months, he was initiated and quickly elected High Gamma, or Data Manager.
At the time, the Chapter was small, but Maranto saw its potential. He didn’t stay on the sidelines long. Within a few months of joining, he was re-elected High Gamma. The Chapter was then tasked with hosting a Conclave (with Maranto as the lead), despite being a smaller Chapter, proving to themselves that they were capable of incredible success. It was also, in his words, an exercise in project management and leadership.
By the next year, he was High Alpha or CEO of the Chapter. He helped lead his small Chapter through a period of remarkable growth; more than tripling membership, building momentum through service, and building a culture of responsibility. He credits much of their success to embracing Lambda Chi’s Core Values and focusing on building a genuine Brotherhood.
“Recruitment isn’t about going out to grab someone. It’s about creating an environment that shows who you truly are,” he proclaimed. “We had something special; we just weren’t sharing it well enough.”
It was never about just numbers. Maranto stressed that recruitment was about living your values and building a space worth joining. Once that’s in place, the rest will follow.
Balancing a senior engineering workload, serving as High Alpha, Vice President of Embry-Riddle’s Student Government, Maranto was left with little time. But he says those years taught him real-world skills he used for the rest of his career.
While working as an engineer, he found himself drawn to mentoring new teammates and helping others solve problems. He discovered he was far more energized by seeing people learn and succeed than the technical details alone. That realization pushed him to make a big change. He decided to leave the traditional engineering track and pursue a career in developing people and organizations. Not soon after, he jumped right into working in Training and Development and raising his family. Along the way, he has earned three HR certifications, and three master’s degrees in his field.
He says some of his proudest days came when he had to lead work teams through incredibly difficult times. Whether it was restructuring, responding to crises, or supporting employees through personal challenges, he focused on listening, caring, and doing the right thing. Even when it was hard, he credits much of that mindset to his time in the Fraternity. Put people first, live your values, and lead with integrity.
Maranto didn’t just serve Lambda Chi as an Undergraduate Member; he carried those lessons forward as a volunteer, most notably at Colorado State University. Living in Denver, he saw the Chapter needed help and recognized the situation all too well. It was the same kind of rebuilding project he led years earlier at Embry-Riddle. They were a group trying to grow, stabilize, and strengthen their Brotherhood.
When the Chapter faced challenges with turnover, Alumni engagement, and meeting expectations, Maranto stepped up as High Pi, mentoring the Chapter and helped rebuild that stability and accountability that was missing. The same way he did decades prior, he focused on fostering open communication, reinforcing personal responsibility, and guiding the Gamma-Pi Zeta through tough decisions.
Even when the Chapter ultimately lost its charter years later, Maranto stayed engaged in efforts to support reassociation, reconnected with local Alumni, and shared the history of the Chapter so they could understand what was put forward. His goal was the same as before: Always leave the Chapter in a better place than when he found it. Thus, proving his sentiment, the lessons of Brotherhood, leadership, and service don’t stop at graduation.
When asked why he stayed involved for so many years, he said, “Because you accept that responsibility when you join. We have an obligation to make sure what we pass on is better than what we found.”
That philosophy wasn’t just part of Lambda Chi Alpha; Maranto has been deeply involved with the Boy Scouts of America (now Scouting America) through the years. For him, the connection between the two organizations is both natural and personal.
“Scouting’s oath is ‘On my honor, I will do my best.’ In Lambda Chi, we say we’ll strive for the highest attainments of which we’re capable,” Maranto explained. “It’s really the same promise. You have one life, and you’re responsible to max it out.”
Both organizations, he says, shape young men to become leaders, teammates, and citizens who look beyond themselves. Over the years, Maranto has seen young Scouts become Fraternity men, and those same men becoming lifelong friends, mentors, and leaders.
“When we’re in a values-driven organization, we have this tremendous responsibility to set an example and live our values,” Maranto said. “Let’s not forget that.”
Maranto currently serves as the Chair of the Lifesaving and Meritorious Actions Award Committee for the Sam Houston Area Council in Houston. In that role, he leads a team of senior Scout leaders responsible for investigating and advocating for recognizing Scouts and leaders who perform acts of heroism. He’s also been tapped to serve as lead for the Duty to God and Country program at the 2026 National Jamboree.
For Maranto, these values have family ties, and they aren’t just something he preaches. They’re something he’s worked on passing down. He shared how proud he is of his son, who now serves as a sheriff’s deputy in Texas. Recently, his son and his partner saved a man’s life in the line of duty and were recognized with lifesaving awards. Maranto didn’t hesitate about what to do next.
“The first thing I did was send a photo of that award to my Fraternity Brothers,” he said. “They’ve followed his journey; they knew of all the tough times he has faced in Law Enforcement. They’ve always supported me as a husband and a father.”
That moment wasn’t just about personal pride; it was the perfect example of what the Brotherhood really means: celebrating each other’s victories, supporting one another through challenges, and staying connected across time and distance.
Even in retirement, he remains committed to helping others grow. Whether it’s volunteering at Scout camps, advising a Chapter, or simply sharing his story, he continues to live by the values that shaped him all those years ago.
“I don’t believe nice guys finish last,” Maranto said. “When all is said and done, you have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say you treated people the right way. That’s what Lambda Chi Alpha taught me. That’s what I hope to pass on.”
