Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

D an Wilkirson '74 followed in the footsteps of his father, Pat Wilkirson '35, and uncle, Oscar Lee Wilkirson '44, when he chose Phi Psi as a freshman at U.T. That family legacy served him well, providing an opportunity for growth as an individual and as a leader. "My time as vice president and president of the chapter was a tremendous learning experience. I, and a few others, took on the responsibility of improving the finances and size of the chapter. I had to deal with business structure, managing committees, and overseeing the day-to-day issues of the chapter as well as long-term challenges. It taught me to speak in front of people and gave me a network of friends and contacts I can call on." This impact has stayed with Dan and when Texas Alpha called for help in building a new house, he responded out of a deep sense of obligation for what the chapter has meant to his family. "It broke my heart that the chapter didn't have the house we had back then. A house is such a huge part of a U.T. fraternity, so providing this for the future is key to keeping Texas Alpha as a part of U.T. culture. Think about what you gained from your affiliation with the chapter and having that address as a base for your experience at U.T. Wouldn't you want future generations to have that same kind of base?" "I think it's easy to forget a lot of the life lessons we pick up in school," said Chuck Butler '85. "We remember the fun times, pledgeship and some of the tough times, but what can get lost is the experience of establishing a foundation. When I really think about it, Phi Psi was the first time I developed a high level of confidence in my abilities, the first time I understood teamwork and being part of a large group. It raised my expectations of what was possible for myself." Chuck was there for a pivotal moment in Texas Alpha's history. After the tragic loss of a Texas Alpha pledge the year before, Chuck took the position of state rush captain at a dark and uncertain time in the chapter's history. "I really believe we were facing a moment that if our fall rush was not successful, it could have been the end of the fraternity. I've never had to work so hard, but our efforts resulted in 33 pledges that year, allowing the fraternity to continue to grow and improve." That was a defining moment for Chuck, allowing him to discover his abilities—an opportunity he wants to make available for the next generation of Texas Alpha brothers. "I hope my gift to the campaign shows my support for what is happening at Texas Alpha and that the new house enables experiences that will make these men better people. I want to help ensure that the experiences I had are available to future students." Chuck and his wife, Stacey, have two children, Brooks (15) and Gabbi (12), and live in Dallas. After getting his start as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers and moving through the ranks, Chuck founded Palomino Capital, an investment bank servicing the middle market in capital growth and merger and acquisition services. To date, he has invested in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare to finance. Chuck can be reached at cbutler@palominocap.com. Dan Wilkirson '74 Gives to the Legacy of Texas Alpha Dan Wilkirson '74 with his wife, Dana, daughter, Jacque, and son-in- law, Chris, at the ground breaking party for the new chapter house. The Value of the Phi Psi Experience Why I Gave—Chuck Butler '85 Dan works in petroleum engineering, serving as manager of engineering for EOG Resources, a leading drilling and fracking company in the United States, responsible for development of the Eagle Ford Shale. Dan and his wife, Dana, whom he met at a Phi Psi party, live in the San Antonio area and have three grown children: Jacque, Kristen, and Brian. Dan can be reached at danwilkirson@gmail.com. Page 5 Phi Kappa Psi Texas Alpha

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