Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

What made Phi Psi at UT the right fraternity for you? The brothers were a mix of large-city and small-town students. I was smalltown myself and felt like I would be a good fit. Being a double legacy (through my father and uncle) probably did not hurt. How would you describe the impact Texas Alpha has had on your life? What inspires you to give back? I grew into a much more confident and outgoing person through Phi Psi. In my sophomore year, I began to speak up in chapter meetings, which led to several leadership positions. This carried over in my engineering career, eventually leading me into management roles. What are some of your favorite memories, either from your undergraduate experience or as an alumnus? I made great friends with many brothers. There was a vibrant social scene on campus, especially around our house. Annual parties like the Christmas Formal and Roundup were some of my favorites. What was the biggest challenge Texas Alpha Chapter faced? When I was vice president my junior year, we had significant financial and leadership challenges. I was elected president next spring in 1976, and Frank Holaday '74 was elected treasurer. We worked to cut spending and solicit help from alumni. We also worked closely with the foundation board as well as Morris Creel '56, Doug Danforth '68, and Dr. Jim Jefferies '71. With a great effort from many brothers, we grew the pledge class that fall and set the chapter back on the road to stability. Do you get together with your Texas Alpha brothers? I keep in touch with a couple by phone and once a year in person. I also hunt annually with my big brother, Tony Fernandez '72. Do you have any career highlights you would like to share? I had a successful 43-year career in the oil business. I am most proud of my role in developing of the Eagle Ford Shale Play, which revolutionized U.S. energy production and made us an energy exporter, not importer. Is there anything else about your life or family that you would like to share? I met my wife of 42 years on a blind date in 1975. She was an Alpha Phi at UT and the only blind date I asked out for a second time. We married in 1979 and have three children; they graduated from UT Austin, LSU Baton Rouge and UT Dallas. Dan lives in Keller, Texas, and can be reached at danwilkirson@gmail.com. ALPHA AVALANCHE | TEXAS ALPHA | PHI KAPPA PSI | | FALL EDITION 2023 Dan Wilkirson '74 Above: The 1976-77 Texas Alpha Chapter, with Dan Wilkirson '74 at the right end of the second row. Below: The Texas Alpha Chapter house at 2401 Longview in the late 1970s. TEXAS ALPHANS THROUGH THE AGES 120 years young

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