Fernando and Patricia De Leon Make Landmark Commitment to Harvard Club of Dallas Community Service Fellowship
The Harvard Club of Dallas is honored to announce that Fernando De Leon (AB '01) and his wife, Patricia De Leon, have made a landmark three-year commitment as lead donors to fully support the Harvard Club of Dallas Community Service Fellowship.
Their leadership gift will provide Harvard undergraduates with the opportunity to pursue meaningful summer internships at nonprofit organizations throughout North Texas, enabling students to apply their talents in service to others while helping strengthen the communities those organizations serve.
Fernando and Patricia have long believed that education carries with it a responsibility to lead with purpose and to give back. Their investment in the Community Service Fellowship reflects that conviction by fostering a new generation of leaders committed to civic engagement and public service.
The Harvard Club of Dallas extends its deepest gratitude to Fernando and Patricia for their extraordinary generosity and vision. Their commitment will leave a lasting impact on both Harvard students and the North Texas community, while exemplifying the values of service, leadership, and excellence that unite Harvard University and the Harvard Club of Dallas.
About The Community Service Fellowship
The Harvard Club of Dallas Community Service Fellowship offers Harvard undergraduates the opportunity to spend a meaningful summer working full-time with local nonprofits in the Dallas area. Supported by generous alumni, the program provides a stipend for 10 weeks of the fellowship (typically $6,000–$8,000) so fellows can focus on community service projects in education, health, youth development, social services, and other vital areas—without the financial pressure of a typical summer job.
Past Dallas fellows have contributed to local organizations, gaining hands-on experience while strengthening ties to their community. Through this program, students not only make a tangible impact in Dallas but also connect with local organizations having a huge impact on North Texas. It’s a rewarding way to explore public service, build real-world skills, and create lasting connections—all while serving the place many call home.
The Harvard Clubs Community Service Fellowship is a collaborative program between the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), participating Harvard Clubs and Shared Interest Groups across the country, and Harvard’s Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship (formerly CPIC). The Club has provided over 5000 hours of skilled hands-on student support within the past decade to local non-profit organizations.
Benefit Concert with Grammy®-Nominated Artists Ben Loeb and Allison Charney
The Harvard Club of Dallas was delighted to host an unforgettable evening of classical music in concert and conversation featuring Grammy®-nominated conductor and pianist Benjamin Loeb (AB ’89) and his longtime collaborator, soprano Allison Charney (AB ’89). Held on April 19, 2026, the intimate performance celebrated their nearly four-decade musical journey, from their Harvard days to their recent Grammy®-nominated album ALIKE – My Mother’s Dream. Proceeds from the event directly supported the Harvard Club of Dallas Summer Community Service Fellowship. Many thanks to Ben, Allison, our generous sponsors, our amazing hostess and everyone who joined for a truly special evening of music and philanthropy.
Platinum Sponsors
Theresa Chung, AB ’98, JD ‘02
Arthur Hollingsworth, AB ‘85
Dr. Tiffany Jackson, AB ’03, MD ‘07
David Roosevelt, AB ‘93
Gold Sponsors
Dr. Michael Brown and Mrs. Alice Brown
Dr. Shikha Sethi, AB ‘93
Silver Sponsors
Dr. Avi Chavda, MPH '23
Dr. Debbie Chong, AB ‘99, MD '04
Brian Dethrow, JD '83 and Anne Dethrow
Adrienne Dominguez, AB '90
Drs. Edward and Wendy Harpham
Bob and Julie Herman
Gil Marmol, AB '75, MBA '78
Rodney Thomas, H '79
2026 Summer Internship
Click here(word document) to learn more about the 2026 Summer Internship opportunities.
Past Recipients
Year |
Recipient |
Organization |
| 2025 | Chloe Harmon | Be Kinder Coffee |
| 2024 | Brandon Pham | My Possibilities |
| 2023 | Brandon Pham | My Possibilities |
| 2022 | Taryn Riddle | Veritas Impact Partners |
| 2021 | Christian Browder | Refugee Services of Texas |
| 2020 | Alejandra Nava Garcia | Dallas Services |
| 2019 | Maria Perez Franco |
RAICES - Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services |
| 2018 | Case Brabham | Scottish Rite for Children |
| 2018 | Phong Nyugen |
Zan Wesley Holmes Community Outreach Center |
| 2016 | Victoria Jones | Esparanza International |
| 2016 | Alan Estrada | Inglecia Christiana Bethel |
| 2015 | Dylan Clark | Human Rights Initiative of Dallas |
| 2014 | Niyat Mulugheta | Commit Partnership |
| 2013 | Rachael Apfel | Dallas District Court |
| 2012 | Vincente de la Torre | American Diabetes Association |
| 1996 | Theresa Chung | Dallas Bar Association |
Ways to Contribute
Donations to the Community Service Fellowship can be made online by clicking here or by sending a check to our Club Administrator at the address listed below.
All donations are tax deductible.
Harvard Club of Dallas
5706 E. Mockingbird Ln., Suite 115
Dallas, TX 75206
Phone: (469) 431-1436
Email: shikhasethi@harvardclubofdallas.com
Testimonials
As examples of what this internship can mean for students and our community, please take a look at the testimonials below by clicking on each of the links.
…I expected it would consist of largely helping with small day-to-day tasks in the Clerk’s office, such as organizing, shredding, filing, etc. Instead, what I got was real exposure and experience unlike any I had had up to that point. … As I apply to law school this semester, the work I did this summer has given me a great deal of perspective of the different types of law I should be considering. It is not easy to find a valuable summer experience, and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to pursue this one with the help of the Harvard Club of Dallas.
This summer was nothing less than life changing. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most brilliant and passionate people I've ever met, while doing challenging and purposeful work. … What made this internship even more memorable, are all of the experiences I had outside of the normal day-to-day work. I had the opportunity to meet with superintendents, funders, non-profit directors, teachers and other advocates. I got to attend a social impact finance conference, which sparked my interest in public/private partnerships in the social sector and more specifically, how those relationships can be formed in the education world. … being at Commit! really made me feel like I was making an impact in my community. I am so incredibly fortunate, and I realized that more and more each day I spent at the office. So, thank you very much for providing me this amazing opportunity. Thank you for giving me a chance to learn about myself and what I'm capable of. Thank you for allowing me to meet individuals who have changed my life for the better and a few, who I have adopted as mentors. Most of all, thank you for believing in me. It means more than you will ever know to have been chosen for this fellowship.
If you have any questions, please contact one of us by sending an email to contact@harvardclubofdallas.com. Thank you!
Amy Lo (VP - Philanthropy)
Shikha Sethi (President)