Delta Tau Delta - University of Kansas

Delta Tau Delta page 2 A New Year at Gamma Tau Learn How You Can Get Involved I n 2014, we announced the Gamma Tau: The Next 100 Years campaign, and you delivered for the sake of your fellow Kansas Delts. Alumni contributions helped the active Brothers in a big way when we replaced the Shelter's roof this fall. The roof was on its last leg and had begun to leak, creating more issues inside. Alumni commitment to maintaining the Shelter helped keep your Brothers dry! Keeping our members safe is our top priority, so these funds have also gone toward new security on the doors as well as additional cameras. The campaign may be over, but the opportunity to support the Shelter is not; the chapter will always rely on its alumni. Look at the bottom of page 3 to learn more about Gamma Tau's new annual giving program. The opportunities aren't just limited to finances either. Do you have experience and insight for our Brothers as they begin the rest of their lives? If so, you might be perfect for our alumni guest speaker series. We are looking for speakers of various professional disciplines to discuss their career path, how Delt helped them along the way, and what they have learned about navigating life after college. Interested? Please email me and I would be happy to discuss further. We also have an open position on the alumni advisory team for an adviser to the treasurer. An alumnus with a business or accounting background is preferred but not required. Again, please contact me if this interests you. Brothers, thank you for all your support over the years. We hope to see as many of you as possible for the 2020 alumni golf tournament in April! Even if you don't wish to compete, we would love to have you visit for dinner and drinks with your Brothers; sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Please review the newsletter's insert for more information. Fraternally, Jack Walliser '09 House Corporation Alumni Relations Chairman ksdelts@gmail.com I n college, young students transition toward responsible adulthood. For Allan Kells '87, the Fraternity structure provided by Delta Tau Delta was a big part of his transition. He met the Gamma Tau Brothers playing basketball as a high school senior in Lawrence, which made his choice of fraternities an easy one. "It was clear during recruitment that you'd have a lifetime bond with these people," he said. "Having that core group and knowing they'd have your back through the college experience, that they'd be lifelong friends, was invaluable." n Built in the Bond During their first semester, Allan and his member class had mandatory study hours among other Shelter responsibilities. Allan also served as vice president of his class, followed by assistant treasurer and then treasurer. The chapter's structure and leadership opportunities, as well as support from older Gamma Tau Brothers, put him on the right path. These opportunities also proved relevant to Allan's career path. A business administration graduate from KU, he has worked at Cerner in Kansas City for 18 years. In his current position as senior VP of investor relations, Allan is responsible for maintaining the company's relationship with the investment community and keeping them up to date on Cerner's strategies and practices. Allan also serves on the board and finance committee of the First Hand Foundation, a nonprofit that helps children with health-related needs when insurance and other resources have been exhausted. n Finding Your Truth In his later college years, Allan landed a campus job, courtesy of a Delt Brother, that provided invaluable financial experience. Looking back on that kind gesture, Allan encourages older actives to give back to younger members to benefit the collective Shelter experience. He also shared the best advice he ever received: "Don't always worry about the next promotion, especially early in your career; focus on developing yourself for the long term and getting a variety of experience. While working at Sprint I applied for a financial management development program that meant passing on a promotion in my current department to take on different roles across the company. I wanted to learn more skills to find my best fit. That gave me the opportunity to work in investor relations and positioned me for the opportunity at Cerner." Allan keeps in touch with his Brothers in the KC area and tries to visit for football games and alumni events when possible. "Delta Tau Delta was a great experience, and I wouldn't change anything." Allan and his wife, Jill, have been married for 17 years and have three daughters: Sloane, Ava, and Tatum. Allan enjoys following and coaching his daughters' sports, traveling, and spending time with family. If you'd like to connect with Allan, he can be reached at akells@cerner.com. The Cultivation of Success For Allan Kells '87, It Began with Delta Tau Delta

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