Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

GREEKS SUCCEEDING AT UT Sourced from 2017-18 Sorority and Fraternity Life Information Guide at UT Austin 55,860 hours of community service 59%of members above the average undergraduate 3.26 GPA $224,103 scholarship dollars awarded 750 students with two degrees $777,859 given to philanthropies last year 10% higher four-year graduation rate for members than other students Page 2 W hen David Cecere joined Texas Alpha in 2003, he had no idea how far-reaching his Phi Psi ties would extend. Due to hard work, ambition and a helping hand now and then from a Texas Alpha brother, David is a successful businessman in the energy industry. After graduating from UT's School of Business, David began his career in investment banking and took a job in Houston with an oil and gas company. After a move to Dallas and working for a private oil and gas investment firm, David decided to return to school and earned his MBA at Stanford University. When partners from his previous firm started a new venture focused on energy investment a few years later, David was eager to take part. He helped that business grow from a small startup to the established equity firm it is today—Tailwater Capital. David is responsible for deal sourcing, transaction execution and portfolio oversight. He currently serves on the board of several energy companies. All this success, though, may not have been possible without David's Phi Psi brothers. "Some of the people I met at Texas Alpha and within the Greek system have been instrumental in my career," David says. "More than once, my Phi Psi network provided opportunities both for finding a job and developing my professional relationships." David hopes that undergraduate brothers today will utilize the fraternity the same way he was able to. He wants them to benefit from Phi Psi not just during their undergraduate years, but far beyond. "Get to get know as many people as you can. Your membership will pay dividends in the future when you're working to further your career." Married with two children, David enjoys traveling, playing golf, hunting and fishing. Reconnect with him at david.cecere@gmail.com. J ohn Steinbeck once said, "Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word." The same could be said for Texas Alpha. Those who are lucky enough to be a part of it carry the same pride in their fraternity as Texans do with their state. Texas Alpha is more than a chapter house; it's an obsession. In the 20-plus years Spencer Stewart '91 has been a Texas Alpha brother, he has continually proved his faithfulness to the fraternity. From serving as a chapter officer as an undergraduate to staying involved as an alumnus, Spencer exemplifies the notion, you get out what you put in. As an alumnus, Spencer has volunteered with the alumni board, is president of the Austin Limestone Management Group, helped establish a scholarship in a late brother's honor, contributed financially, attends alumni tailgates, and serves as a mentor to younger brothers. In return, Phi Psi has offered Spencer unwavering friendships, networking opportunities and a chance to collaborate with active members on the future of Texas Alpha. "Talking to the undergraduates, you pick up on their sense of camaraderie and purpose," he said. "They want to redefine what it means to be a Texas Alpha Phi Psi and it's exciting to watch everything they want to accomplish." Reflecting on his own undergraduate experience, it's easy for Spencer to see that his college years are similar to those of the members today. From the entire pledgeship process to legendary themed parties and cheering on a winning football team, his years in the chapter house are worth remembering. Though UT's football team may have a slightly different record lately and Texas Alpha's chapter house received a major face-lift, the backbone of Phi Psi membership at UT has remained the same. Since graduating, Spencer transitioned from the telecom industry right out of school into information and technology sales. He remains friends with Phi Psi brothers in the Austin, Houston, and Dallas areas and lives in Austin with his wife, Jerri, and their two boys. Spencer can be reached at spencerstewart07@gmail.com. A L P H A A V A L A N C H E Phi Psi Membership Pays Huge Dividends for David Cecere '03 Texas Alpha State of Mind Spencer Stewart '91 Remains Faithful to Phi Kappa Psi

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