A L P H A C H I C H A P T E R 3
KNOW SOMEONE
WE SHOULD KNOW?
Submit a New Member
Recommendation
"It was full of people I can see
myself growing with through
college. I believe this group of
guys will help me grow as a
person and prepare me for my
future."
—Braden Pegram '24
"I realized the close
brotherhood contained
something I was lacking—
and that I have always
wanted since I never had that
community in high school."
—Cameron Gremillion '24
"I saw a good brotherhood I
was interested in being with
for the future. When I went
to my first late night, I could
tell this was a group of guys I
wanted to be with. I could tell
it was all about brotherhood."
—Hayden Cool '24
"I wasn't going to join any
fraternity, but then I saw the
dynamic of the guys at Phi Tau
and how well everyone got
along. I felt welcome and was
treated as one of their own,
which meant a lot, especially
during a rough time in my life.
I know I always have someone
to lean on and talk to."
—Andres
Andino-Sanchez '24
Donald J. Conkel '55 is 90 years old and
lives in Pompano Beach, Fla. Donald has
master's degrees in physical education
and social studies, and he opened five
high schools in Florida; Coconut Creek
High School named their stadium after
him. "My students have kept in touch,
and I am now being invited to their
class reunions." Donald enjoys life with
his love, Louise, and their children's
families (including six grandchildren).
Email: dconkel73@gmail.com
Bill Jones '60 has three daughters and six
grandchildren. He lives in Raleigh, N.C.,
working part time and walking every day to
stay healthy. Email: wljones41@yahoo.com
Vic W. Whitehead '61 is retired from
USAF (colonel) and Lockheed Martin (vice
president). He lives in Parker, Colo., and is a
consultant to SAIC on space launch systems.
Email: vic61whitehead@earthlink.net
Willard W. Welborn II '62 lived 44 years
in Libya, Sudan, and Kenya while also
working in Tunisia, Yemen, and Bangladesh.
He moved to Houston in 2008, working as
a consultant in the seismic industry. Willard
is a cancer survivor and stopped working in
2020 due to the pandemic. "Although I do not
yet consider myself retired, I understand that
I may not work again." He lives in Meadows
Place, Texas. Email: wwwelborn@aol.com
Tom Farris '67 is retired but works part time
for TurboTax, helping people with their tax
returns. He lives in Gulfport, Miss.
Email: farristom@att.net
Lee T. Wyatt III '67 is married to Patsy—
Alpha Chi's 1969 Sweetheart! Lee retired
as colonel after 30 years in the Army in
2003, and he was a history professor at the
U.S. Military Academy (West Point) for
19 years. Lee and Patsy live in Melbourne,
Fla., where they teach line dancing, DJ
parties, play bridge, and enjoy the beauty
of Florida. Email: lwyattiii@cfl.rr.com
Walter T. Costilow '68 is retired from
flying and is an award-winning watercolor
artist. He lives in Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Email: wtcostilow3@gmail.com
Steve T. Waggener Sr. '77 retired from
his family business in January 2020 and
now volunteers for a non-profit: DeafBlind
Community of Mississippi. Steve loves
visiting his grandsons, Tripp and John Patrick,
in north Georgia, and his granddaughter,
Camilla, in St. Louis. During baseball
season, Steve can be found at Dudy Noble
or Young Harris College, hosting a small
version of the Leftfield Lounge for fans
and players' parents. He lives in Madison,
Miss. Email: stwsr57@gmail.com
Pat Brown '79 retired after 40 years in the
newspaper business and started a new career
in economic development as executive
director of the Simpson County Development
Foundation. He lives in Magee, Miss.
Email: johnpbrown17@gmail.com
Andy Cross '79 is retired and has two
grown sons: one is an accountant and
the other is a computer engineer. Andy
lives in Williamsburg, Va., where he
plays lots of golf, works out four days
a week, and watches Bulldog sports!
Email: jdrewcros59@gmail.com
Lou West '91 relocated to the Huntsville,
Ala., area in March 2023 and works for Army
Futures Command at Redstone Arsenal.
Email: louwest.phitau@yahoo.com
Kyle Kissinger '19 lives in Cold Spring, N.Y.,
working in the commercial real estate industry.
"I miss my days down in Mississippi and look
forward to visiting my brothers soon."
Email: kylekisslinger@gmail.com
Hayden Takerer '20 is in graduate school
for health promotion at Mississippi State
University and works as a personal trainer at
the campus gym. He lives in Starkville and
still serves as a staff sergeant in the Army
Reserve. Email: atakerer@gmail.com
Alumni News
Why Phi Tau?
To make a referral, reach out to Clayton Moore '22
at (601) 613-3020 or claymoore0323@gmail.com.
Please include (to the best of your ability) the
student's name, hometown, prospective major,
and any other information that might be helpful
(hobbies, sports, high school organizations, etc.).
