Delta Chi - Kansas State University

DELTA CHI page 2 Thank You, Generous Brothers, for Supporting Delta Chi's Annual Campaign Leges Society ($1,000 and up) Michael K. Dichiser '95 Jeffrey S. Tamasi '96 Aaron A. Otto '98 S. Matthew Killingsworth '02 Scimitar Society ($500 to $999) Thomas D. Haney Jr. '70 Dan C. Yunk '71 Martlet Society ($250 to $499) Mark D. Alley '95 Red and Buff Society ($100 to $249) Phillip D. McManus '63 Brandon M. Konda '99 Brotherhood Society (Up to $99) C L. McFadden '65 Nicholas A. Flentie '05 Dustin I. Sharp '07 D uring the spring 2015 campaign, 12 alumni and friends showed their enthusiastic support for the chapter by contributing $1,885. The accomplishments and success enjoyed by the Kansas State Chapter are directly attributed to the ongoing and loyal support from the chapter's alumni relations efforts. Your gifts help the men of the Kansas State Chapter not only today but well into the future! If an error has been made in recording the amount of your gift, we sincerely apologize. If corrections to your giving records are needed, please send them to hholcomb@penningtonco.com. Thank you, again, for your loyal support. A s a result of his military upbringing, Major General Donald Jacka '72 set his sights on being an officer in the Army. He joined the ROTC at Kansas State, which provided him with a route to become an officer. As a junior, he joined Delta Chi and built a strong bond of friendship and values through his brotherhood. Don earned his bachelor's and master's degree in political science from K-State and graduated as a second lieutenant. Upon the completion of his master's program, however, the Vietnam War was drawing to a close, and Don was unable to attain a full-time career in the military. Despite the obstacles, Don followed his goal of being an officer and took on both a military and a civilian career. Don's career spanned from work with the Kansas Legislative Research Department to his role as the Secretary of Agriculture for Kansas. While he attained great success as a civilian, Don's military career grew as he earned several promotions in the U.S. Army Reserve. "The two vocations very successfully complemented each other. The leadership skills gained through my command experiences in the Army Reserve were transferable to my civilian career," Don said. After a military career move to Des Moines, Don was selected as brigadier general, becoming the commander of a corps level logistics unit that was activated and deployed to Iraq in 2003 for 15 months. When Don returned with his unit, he was promoted to major general and employed as deputy director for Global Sustainment in the Logistics Directorate, J-4, of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. After 37 years of uniformed service, Don retired from the military. He continues his civilian career as a board member and the CEO of the Kansas Homestead Rehabilitation Corporation. A great deal of Don's success can be attributed to his values and work ethic. He explains that the challenges he faced were only opportunities to excel. Through his years at Delta Chi, Don strengthened his values of courage, honesty, and loyalty. "These traits were learned as one learns to treat one's brothers. Sometimes we needed to help each other through tough life lessons—this was always the standard employed with the Kansas State Chapter." Among the wonderful memories of purple passion punch/spolioli, intramural sports, a three-decker bed, and Kimball the dog, Don's membership to Delta Chi taught him the importance of accepting those who were different from himself. Delta Chi greatly assisted Don in not only his development as a student, but also in his development as a man. He encourages younger brothers to follow their passions, despite the obstacles. "Follow your heart and do whatever it is that makes you happy. I followed my heart and did what many of my peers discounted greatly—my military career. Remember, you must be true to yourself. What society may frown on today, they may celebrate tomorrow." As an alumnus, Don hopes that his experiences, and the experiences of other alumni, can be passed on to the men of Delta Chi today. Don is married to his college sweetheart, Jan, "the prettiest girl in Alpha Xi Delta." They have two daughters, both of whom are Kansas State graduates. In his free time, Don likes to hunt, fish, mentor young people, and provide volunteer leadership to civic and military organizations. E-mail: mgjacka@khrc.kscoxmail.com Delta Chi greatly assisted Don in not only his development as a student, but also in his development as a man. He encourages younger brothers to follow their passions, despite the obstacles. Success Driven by Passion Major General Donald Jacka '72 Shares His Path to Achieving His Goals Contributors to the spring 2015 appeal are listed by their lifetime giving totals.

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