Phi Kappa Tau - Mississippi State University

A L P H A C H I C H A P T E R 3 W hen Don Lovelace '67 reflects on his years with Alpha Chi, some of his favorite memories come simply from sharing a meal with brothers. "Charlie Ann [the cook] would pass out plates of food from the door of her kitchen for supper, and we would all sit together in that beautiful, cherry beadboard-paneled dining room in the old house at 304 S. Jackson Street." Moments like that were enough for Don to give enthusiastically to the Embracing Your Alpha Chi Legacy campaign for a new chapter house. "I contributed what I could to recreate the spirit of that old house, which was just a short walk from the middle of downtown Starkville." Although Don cannot attend Alpha Chi's anniversary celebration due to caregiving commitments, he will celebrate in spirit as we honor our chapter's rechartering as well as the completion of our fundraising goal. As an undergraduate, Don knew friends from Jackson in Phi Kappa Tau, and the brothers he met through them were sincerely friendly and likable. "I really liked the fact that it was a social fraternity that valued academics," he said. "Members like David Vaughan '65 and Larry Wyndham '64 seemed like people I would admire and want to emulate." That group helped Don become more outgoing and develop teamwork and leadership skills—more quickly, he suspects, than he would have without a fraternity backing him up. Don has been in Huntsville, Alabama, since graduating, working full-time since college. The Army sent him to graduate school in southern England in 1988, where he learned about guided-weapon systems. "I am lucky to have had one fraternity brother who graduated from State a year before me and, like me, has been here in Huntsville ever since," Don said. "We both worked as co-op students at the Army Missile Laboratory, and for the rest of our careers. Over the years, I have been in contact with a few others. It is always nice to reminisce." In his free time, Don explores his lifelong love of sailing and cycling. He rode his bike as often as possible in college before learning to sail distracted him, then returned to cycling about 25 years ago. He rode with his local club all over north Alabama and has been on several cycling trips to southeast Arizona—even a few in Europe. "Since I've aged, I can no longer ride thousands of miles a year. So, I've gotten back into sailing, but still ride once or twice a week when the weather is good." If you'd like to connect with Don, you can reach him at lovelaced@msn.com. President Jack Flower '20 Vice President Ethan Rogers '21 Treasurer Mason Payne '21 Vice President of Alumni Relations John Baladi '20 Secretary Charles Holliman '21 Member Orientation Officer Tommy Townsend '21 Recruitment Chairmen Griffin Rogers '20 Sumner Bass '21 Director of Events George Willis '21 CHAPTER CHAPTER OFFICERS OFFICERS Andrew Burrell Southaven, Miss. Michael Buziak Memphis, Tenn. Shawn Carter Henderson, Tenn. Brandon Russel Soso, Miss. Calder Shorter Saraland, Ala. John-Paul Spillers Florence, Ala. Dakota Terry Hernando, Miss. Welcome, New Brothers! "In my four years here at Mississippi State, no organization or group has impacted me the way Phi Kappa Tau has. I've grown as a man, leader, and brother. I owe it all to this great group of guys who push me to be better every day." –Jack Simpson '19 "During my tenure in Phi Kappa Tau, I have made bonds with my brothers that will last the rest of my life. This chapter has given me the social skills and confidence that have been paramount in furthering my career and my postgraduate plans." –Tanner Marlar '20 Congra tula tions, Seniors! Don Lovelace '67 Shares His Alpha Chi Story To Honor Our Home To Honor Our Home T W O O F O U R G R A D U A T I N G B R O T H E R S R E F L E C T O N T H E I R P H I T A U E X P E R I E N C E Don Lovelace '67 (left, red cap) sailing on Lake Eustis, Fla.

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