Delta Tau Delta - Oklahoma State University

DELTA CHI NEWS PAGE 2 F rom a one-stoplight town to a global company, Joseph Eastin '92 says the connections and relationships developed as a Delt member have made a positive impact, both personally and professionally. In short, Joe is grateful he made the decision to join Delta Tau Delta at Oklahoma State University. Having no exposure to fraternities growing up, Joe chose not to go through recruitment initially. Once he began meeting members from different fraternities on campus, Joe found he "gelled' with the Delts. Rush Chairs and Delt members, like Royce Spain '90, convinced Joe and friend Bobby Moore '92 to pledge as sophomores. "That decision was one of the best decisions we made in our young lives." With outstanding pledge classes, the fraternity was in the top three in grades, sports and campus involvement. "Socially, we were one of the best on campus." Joe earned his degree in business administration from OSU and later received a master's degree from MIT Sloan School of Management. He began his career in sales and then transitioned into sales management and operations for an engineering software and energy company. In 2001, Joe co-founded ISN, a software and service company for oil and gas, manufacturing and other capital intensive organizations. "Working with friend and Chairman Bill Addy, along with many others, my experience launching ISN has been the highlight of my career." The company now employs more than 500 people in 10 global offices, with over 70,000 customers. Similar to his experience in college, the Delta Tau Delta network continues to be fruitful; Joe was joined at ISN by Brian Callahan '94. "Brian has elevated the business ever since he arrived, and it has been a pleasure to work with a fellow Delt." Joe and Brian have also provided the opportunity for several undergraduate brothers to intern at ISN throughout the years. Joe is a stellar example of a Delt alumnus living the fraternity's principles and values, particularly lifelong learning and strengthening community. A generous donor to OSU, in 2015 he helped establish the Eastin Center for Career Readiness within the Spears School of Business. Believing that early exposure to key competencies better prepares college students for the working world, the center is focused on inspiring and developing professionalism, business etiquette, career readiness and a broad worldview. This spirit of giving back is also one of the reasons why Joe keeps up with the chapter. "The relationships are the number one reason I, and many people, stay involved and choose to give back to an organization." As a result of his wonderful undergraduate experience, he wants Delt to maintain its tradition of being a top fraternity at OSU, to be a home away from home. "I remember the adrenaline rush of being a college kid. Spending time with my brothers, going to OSU games, Homecoming, social functions now and then—some of my favorite memories of those days; except for serenading sororities when we messed up." When on campus for board meetings or football games, he tries to find time to visit the Shelter. He spoke at a chapter meeting a few years ago and says it was great to meet the members and also hear about Delt's accomplishments. "I'm excited to see the chapter making positive strides in recent years. This is a big compliment to the young men in the house, plus Joe Millar '68, Rick Morris '70 and several others that give back to our chapter." Successfully navigating college and career himself, Joe encourages the undergraduates to find a balance of work and play while in school; get an education first, but also get involved on campus. "With multiple online curriculum opportunities available today, young people have more choices to learn—in many ways I think a balanced collegiate experience is even more important now than years past. The ability to talk to someone without a device is a wonderful thing. Being on campus with the Delt house can change your path in a positive way." To paraphrase a quote by Theodore Roosevelt, Joe says, "Get in the arena." [It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat….] Joe's time away from work is spent with his family, wife Monica and children Kate, Alexandra, Nick and Arie. They live in Dallas, Texas. He can be contacted at jeastin@isn.com. Joseph Eastin Lives Fraternity Values, Proves Bonds Are for Life T he fall of 1962 was a turning point for Delta Chi. It had been a small chapter until that year; there were 20 actives and 26 in my pledge class. The new Shelter was just completed, and we were the first to move in. The newness of the facility was certainly an incentive in picking DTD as a home away from home. The Hugh Shields award was established in 1965, and the first award in '66 identified 10 top chapters; Delta Chi was in that inaugural class. And the chapter was a repeat winner for 15 years. I served as IFC president and treasurer, chairman of SUA board, and an ODK charter member. As a senior, I went to Lansing, Michigan, for a division conference and spent time with Al Sheriff, who was assistant to Hugh Shields at that time. I realized I'd like to do what they're doing. Five days later Hugh passed on to Chapter Eternal and Al succeeded him. He had a huge impact in the perpetuation of Delt and strengthened the organization. In 1966 I earned a double degree in economics and business. While working at IBM in Tulsa, Al called and asked me to be director of chapter services. I moved to Indianapolis in January 1969. That decision impacted my life greatly, as my entire adult life has been spent working with the fraternity. I became executive vice president/CEO when Al moved up to president of the DTD Educational Foundation in 1981. When Al passed on to Chapter Eternal, I assumed the presidency in 1989 for six years. I felt strongly that I wanted to take the lead and raise money to fund the programs I established as CEO, primarily the Leadership Academy and Delts Talking about Alcohol. I also led the charge for a $6 million campaign to fund those programs and the consultant staff. Then I retired (the first time). IN HIS OWN WORDS… Gale Wilkerson '66 Is a Happy Man, a Happy Delt (Continued on page 4)

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