CHICAGO, IL – The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation honors Dean Karnazes with the Paradigm Award for 2015. The Foundation’s comments appear below.

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” These are words Dean Karnazes, ultramarathon runner lives by, as one of the best endurance athletes in the world. He was born in Southern California to Fran and Nick Karnazes. As a child, Karnazes loved the outdoors and began running home from school when he was in kindergarten. By the age of 11, he had hiked rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon and climbed Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. His outstanding athletic accomplishments would not end there. Named as on of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time Magazine, we are proud to announce Dean Karnazes as the 2015 Paradigm Award honoree.
“As a Greek American athlete, author and businessman, Dean Karnazes represents how strength, perseverance and education are keys to one’s success,” says Chris P. Tomaras, Founder and Chairman of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation. “Throughout his life, Dean has dedicated himself to being both mentally and physically fit, challenging himself to achieve the best he can be. That is why we are honoring this outstanding role model with the Paradigm Award.”
Karnazes is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science Technology. In graduate school at the same institution, he was named Valedictorian. Later in his career, Dean attended the University of San Francisco’s McLaren School of Business receiving an MBA in Marketing & Management.
Hailed by Men’s Fitness as “one of the fittest men on the planet,” one of Dean’s greatest accomplishments has been running 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 consecutive days, a feat many previously thought impossible. In addition to his ultramarathon activities, Dean is the author of several NY Times bestselling books including his famous Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner. He is also the past President of Good Health Natural Foods, a global athlete ambassador for The North Face and a spokesperson for The Greek Gods Yogurt Company.
Dean has appeared on multiple TV programs including The Today Show, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, ESPN, and BBC among others. Not only has he been featured in Time, Newsweek, Forbes, People, GQ, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, and USA TODAY, but he himself also writes a monthly column for Men’s Health. He has also earned an ESPY award from ESPN and is a three-time winner of Competitor magazine’s “Endurance Athlete of the Year.”

In honor of 40 outstanding Greek-American undergraduate students, Mistress of Ceremonies Krystal White, and Paradigm Award recipient Dean Karnazes, invite you to attend our annual Awards Ceremony and Gala on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Hilton Chicago. For additional event details and to purchase tickets call (312) 357-6432.