Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

2 The WISE OLD OWL Distinguished Don WHY DON WILSON '68 REMAINS A SIGMA CHI FOR LIFE J oining a fraternity is no small decision—it takes dedication and shared values. When Don started college, the Greek system was thriving, and he considered several fraternities. After taking a semester to weigh his options, Don recognized Sigma Chi was the perfect choice. "I liked the Sigs right away. It became obvious Sigma Chi would be my choice; I liked the Chapter members, the history and ideals of Sigma Chi, and the social opportunities," Don said. He worked as Chapter editor during college, and after retirement, he found ways to remain connected. Don is proud to be a Sigma Chi for life, and he has loved all the memories made with brothers from college to now. Through nearly 60 years of involvement with Sigma Chi, he has maintained contact with several brothers and attended numerous alumni events. While the Chapter editor role was his first step in contributing to Epsilon Kappa, that led to a lifetime of Sigma Chi involvement. After graduation, Don went to U.S. Air Force pilot training. For four years, he flew worldwide missions for the Air Force. He followed this with three years in the TN Air National Guard, and afterward flew for FedEx as a DC-10 captain until his retirement in 2006. Don also served as assistant chief pilot and chairman of the Air Line Pilots Association. Don's service in the Air Force and National Guard earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Afterward, his 35-year career with FedEx led to him working with Legacy Wealth Management on a program dealing with retirement options for FedEx pilots. "I was instrumental in establishing a FedEx retired pilot association and a program to give pilots an independent view of how to manage financial assets in retirement," he added. Aside from flight, Don's career ventures include becoming a partner in Beale Street Blues Company in 1991, which owns venues such as BB King's Blues Clubs, Lafayette's Music Rooms, and Itta Bena. The business has played a large role in expanding the music and restaurant industries on Beale Street and multiple other locations in the country. "All these endeavors reinforced the importance of teamwork, resource management, informed decision making, and time management," Don said. "Many of those tenets were either planted or nourished during my undergraduate years in Sigma Chi. They have truly been the backbone of my career and business life." Following his retirement from FedEx, Don joined the Memphis Sigma Chi Housing Group Inc. He served as the House Corporation president for 10 years and serves as vice president today. For all 10 years with Don as president, they won Sigma Chi's Outstanding House Corporation. "I fully subscribe to the idea that once a Sigma Chi, you are a Sigma Chi for life!" Don has two children, both of whom are honors graduates. His son attended Clemson and went to the University of Georgia for graduate school, and is now in the real estate business in Athens, Georgia. His daughter also attended Georgia, and she is now a director of marketing in Nashville. Don enjoys spending time with them and his grandson, a 12-year-old junior golfer and multi-tournament winner. When he has spare time, Don enjoys live music events, traveling, sailing, and golfing. You can connect with Don at dwilson987@comcast.net. Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Epsilon Kappa Alumni and the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute I n 2018, Sigma Chi began the process of starting something that had never been done by a Greek organization: an accredited leadership development training organization. This was done to help Sigma Chi achieve the organization's vision to be the preeminent leadership and character development brotherhood, benefiting our members throughout life. Now in 2022, we have the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute and Epsilon Kappa's own Brett Collins '04 has played a part in bringing to life one of the nine certificates of the accredited leadership curriculum. SCLI focuses on developing curriculum for the Transformational Leader in four dimensions: Self, Others, Action, and Community. Each certificate revolves around a different leadership theory or approach, offering opportunities to acquire and develop relevant and transferable skills that will support brothers in their leadership journeys. There is a nine-person Board of Directors and a 12-person staff currently heading up SCLI. In fall 2021, Brother Collins was appointed by Sigma Chi Grand Consul Tim Sanderson to serve a two-year term as chairman of the Servant Leadership Certificate Committee. The Servant Leadership Certificate is grounded in the "Others" dimension. His role is to work with the SCLI instructional design team to develop curriculum and assist with the marketing of this certificate to undergraduate members. The certificate courses teach skills related to being an effective follower and how to proactively mentor. Don Wilson '68 with his children at a Georgia vs. Vanderbilt football tailgate party in Nashville. Both Geoffrey and Stacey are University of Georgia alumni. "From pledging to the present, Sigma Chi has had a lot of positive influence in my life." (Continued on page 4) ΣX ΣX ΣX ΣX

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