Alpha Tau Omega - University of Oklahoma

The Beacon 2 A s a high school senior in Norman, Steve Hoelscher '74 was invited to multiple recruitment parties for OU fraternities. He enjoyed visiting some of the top houses for the time, but then an "on-the-rise" fraternity caught his eye. "They were just a bunch of classy guys," Steve said of Alpha Tau Omega. A former teammate from Steve's high school golf team was already a Delta Kappa, and their success in intramurals appealed to him as a sports lover. It didn't hurt that his high school sweetheart (now wife) liked the brothers too; she joined Tri Delta and became an ATΩ Little Sister. The brotherhood surrounded Steve with serious pre-med students, helping him succeed in his pre-dental track. Over time, Steve began to lose contact while running his own practice and raising a family (though he was honored to have several ATΩ brothers and their families as patients). He couldn't help but feel guilty when Delta Kappa closed years later. Then, as Delta Kappa began to recharter, Steve's son, Stephen Hoelscher Jr. '08, enrolled at OU… A NEW BEGINNING The national fraternity gathered stellar leaders to rebuild the chapter, which still lacked its own house. Stephen's parents wouldn't have blamed him if he chose another fraternity, but they were thrilled when he joined his father in ATΩ. "I was intrigued to help lay the groundwork for what ATΩ could become again, and being a legacy made it an easier decision," Stephen said. Seeing that early momentum, Steve knew it was time to lend a hand. He joined local alumni in calling hundreds of brothers, asking them to help with alumni engagement and recruitment. Steve went on to serve as a chapter advisor, working alongside Stephen in his own college years. "I tried to pull back and let the brothers do their thing, guiding them as issues arose; they were a stellar group," he said. "It was awesome to do that with my son." Meanwhile, Stephen became a recruitment co- chairman alongside John Esche '08, writing letters and speaking with countless potential new members. His own membership (and that role in particular) taught him to present his best self to various people and work with different personalities. "This became one of my most important skills as a doctor: if I don't communicate effectively, patients won't get better," he explained. "I have my ATΩ experience to thank for shaping the man I am today." A RETURN TO FORM Delta Kappa secured a rental house during Steve's advisory years, and he was thrilled to see chapter meetings in a real house once again. Stephen was off to medical school by that point, and Steve was proud to see his son excel in class and join intramurals, much like the brothers of his own era. To this day, Steve is proud of his son's era and the generations of brothers since for making Delta Kappa successful in an increasingly complex world. Stephen, for instance, recalls his class having to work harder in extracurricular activities (tutoring, in his case) to promote the chapter's growth. Both are grateful for the many alumni whose time, effort, and leadership helped the chapter take off again—including Mel Clark '70, Greg Hall '70, Mike Carter '76, Bob Purgason '75, Blake Herndon '79, Randy Hooper '76, and Randy Woods '75. Though father and son don't see each other as often today, Steve is grateful for the time they shared in his son's college and medical school years. "That's eight years with some wonderful memories." "It was special to have played a small role in rebuilding ATΩ's future as a father/son duo," Stephen added. Steve lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and can be reached at shdds81@aol.com. Stephen lives in Ankeny, Iowa; you can reach him at stephenhoelscher88@gmail.com. Restoring a Legacy How the Hoelscher Family Served Delta Kappa I t's been an interesting year for Delta Kappa Chapter! The last few months have held many positive experiences for the undergraduates, including a plethora of internships across multiple regions of the country, multiple members serving in the United States military through different branches and, most importantly, an enhancement of leadership for not only the executive board but also our chapter as a whole. Chapter leaders found weak spots within Delta Kappa's walls and were able to take care of them in a way that changed the chapter's culture for the better. We had the pleasure to meet and speak with the entire chapter at our Founder's Day event in Oklahoma City on September 8. We met many young men who were eager to not only improve themselves but also build a community full of hundreds of others with the same goal. It was a very proud feeling to be standing in a room with a generation committed to Alpha Tau Omega's values and purpose. Many of them also said the experience they have in handling finances, professionalism, and teamwork is preparing them for a successful career in the real world. The members of the executive board are also extremely organized and easy to work with when it comes to collaborating with the undergraduate members. We as alumni appreciate attributes like this, as we anticipate supporting them more in the future. Delta Kappa Chapter is a well-oiled machine that strives to be the best version of itself and make a difference in the community. For years to come, we have no worries about the chapter diminishing our reputation! Undergraduates Uphold Delta Kappa's Legacy What similarities or differences have you noticed between your eras of Delta Kappa? "We older alumni like to remember the 'good old days' as being better; times were simpler. Still, I was amazed at the magnitude of responsibilities, technology, activities, and leadership that was expected of these young men from ATΩ National, the IFC, and the university itself. They did a great job and have a lot to be proud of! I'll always remember them for their efforts bringing us back and becoming a top chapter once again." –Steve Hoelscher '74 Stephen (left) with his father, Steve, and children. "I have my ATΩ experience to thank for shaping the man I am today." –Stephen Hoelscher Jr. '08 A Well-Oiled Machine

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