Delta Tau Delta - Oklahoma State University

Delta Chi Chapter DELTA TAU DELTA Oklahoma State University C onstruction progress on our new Shelter is off to a great start this year. Windows were installed within the first two weeks of January; bricking began the week of the 11th and is moving along nicely; and the building was fully "dried in" by the end of the month, prompting the start of drywalling. We are ahead of schedule and look forward to seeing the completion of our new home that much sooner. As the facility itself leaps forward in development, so too must our financial progress. In the last couple of months, we have gained 13 generous donors and more than $65,000 in new contributions, with about $625,000 left to hit our $5.5 million goal. To support future Delt brothers, we ask all alumni who are able to lend your financial support, which you can maximize with a five-year pledge. We are truly grateful to those brothers who have already done so, and we hope you will consider an additional one-time contribution or adding another year to your pledge. As a reminder, one of the biggest perks to the Pledge Delt Again campaign is a donor plaque featuring those who donate $2,500 or more toward the cause. Get involved today using the enclosed pledge form or by giving online at tinyurl.com/pledgedeltagain. Thank you again for your continued support and brotherhood, and I hope you are all having a safe and healthy 2021. Fraternally, Stephen E. Reel '70 Campaign Chairman (405) 615-8705 stephenreel254@gmail.com STARTING THE NEW YEAR STRONG WITH SHELTER UPDATES We Need You to Make a Pledge Now D uring recruitment in the summer of 1974, Danny Stith '78 and several of his best friends from high school were faced with the same decision as a group of young men at Bethany College almost 120 years prior: Phi Kappa Psi or Delta Tau Delta? Eight of those men chose Delt and became the Founding Fathers of Delta Tau Delta. Danny, however, decided to follow several of his friends to a bid party and pledge Phi Psi. Fortunately, Don Eckroat '77 showed up at Danny's house as he was leaving for Phi Psi's bid party to encourage him to pledge Delt and join with his best friend Tim Dolf '78 instead. "The Delts were a much larger house than Phi Psi at the time. I remember the discussion with my mother that night," he said. "I asked her if I would be more well suited being in a smaller fraternity or a larger one. She said, 'If you're worried about being a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond, the size of the fish you become will be entirely up to you. You can be a big fish in a big pond if you want." Like many Delt brothers, Danny didn't find Delta Tau Delta—it found him. That last- minute effort by Brother Eckroat ultimately changed the path of Danny's life. He signed Delt that night and has never regretted his decision. "My Delta Chi Chapter experience not only shaped me as a person but helped me prepare for my eventual career in financial services," he stated. "I learned time management and leadership skills while being treasurer for the chapter. Those skills have been instrumental in my career." Danny was fortunate to receive encouraging and impactful alumni guidance during his time as a chapter officer at Delta Chi. The real-world lessons gave Danny experience that prepared him to serve as Founder and CEO of Wealth Management Group, LLC a financial services company where he's worked for the last 42 years. "Choosing to be part of Delta Tau Delta has been one of the most important decisions of my life," he shared. "My father always told me, 'Don't just make a difference, be the difference.' I've been fortunate to have a lot of difference-makers in my life, and many of them have been Delts." As an alumnus, Danny has served as a member of several division and Karnea committees. He also served as a chapter consultant, and a member of Delta Chi's house corporation. He currently is a board member of Delta Tau Delta's Educational Foundation. He's earned several fraternity service awards, including the Bill Fraering Award and the Distinguished Service Award, and is still making a difference at Delta Chi Chapter by contributing to its capital campaign. "The fraternity isn't something we inherited from the brothers who came before us—it's on loan to us from our future brothers," he said. "We must take care of it for them and always remember our responsibility to those who follow us." Danny and his wife of almost 40 years, Jeannie, raised four children who are independent thinkers, loving and caring individuals and understand the importance of service to others. Danny and Jeannie live in Oklahoma City. You can connect with Danny at daniels419@aol.com. DON'T JUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BE THE DIFFERENCE Danny Stith '78 on the Importance of Delta Tau Delta and Why He Gives Back Danny Stith '78 and his family when he was presented with his Distinguished Service Chapter Award at Karnea in July 2012. Give online at tinyurl.com/pledgedeltagain Service Awards Bill Fraering Award, Delta Tau Delta Distinguished Service Chapter, Delta Tau Delta Abe Lemons Award, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Humilitas Award, St. Charles Borromeo Current Community Service Activities President, Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma Board Member, Allied Arts of Oklahoma City Board Member, Educational Foundation for Delta Tau Delta Board of Governors, Oklahoma State University Board Member, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Voting Member, Jim Thorpe Award, College Football Voting Member, Fred Biletnikoff Award

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