Delta Upsilon - University of Missouri

The Duck call Page 2 The men Dave referred to Missouri Chapter. From left: Ben Cummings '27, Alex Smentek '27, and Ryan Nelson '27. F or David Williams '90, joining Delta Upsilon at Mizzou was more than just a college decision—it was the beginning of a lifelong journey filled with camaraderie, leadership, and unforgettable memories. "My brother, Chris Thomas '87, introduced me to Steven Schellhase '88, the recruitment chairman, when I was in high school," Dave recalled. "I visited Mizzou for rush weekends, and we took in a few Cardinals games. Andy Watt '88, my future pledge dad, organized an indoor soccer team that summer, and we won the league!" The combination of these experiences and meeting a great group of guys sealed the deal for Dave. Years later, the connections he forged as an undergraduate are still influential. "The great relationships make me proud to be a DU," he said. Those friendships were forged through countless shared experiences at the chapter house, from Intramural soccer to Homecoming house decoration construction. "IC Beach, The Count, DG Coke Run, Chapter Dinners and Meetings. Study hall during pledge ship monitored by brother Chris Stecher '89 are some of my favorite memories," he shared. "And, of course, meeting my future wife, Donna!" LIVING BEYOND CAMPUS After graduating in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Dave embarked on a career in sales. "I started at A LIFELONG BROTHERHOOD David Williams '90 Shares His DU Experience "Swing by the new house and say hello to the brothers! They'd love to meet you." Sherwin Williams in their management trainee program," he said. After realizing retail wasn't the right fit, he pivoted to industrial sales, eventually finding a long-term career in the steel industry. "I started as an inside sales representative at National Steel, then moved to Huntco Steel before joining Leeco Steel in Chicago, where I've been for over 30 years." He eventually opened a greenfield plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. THE POWER OF ONE ALUMNUS Dave's love for Delta Upsilon never faded, leading him to stay involved by recommending new members. "I made great memories and relationships at DU and knew the candidates I referred could benefit as well," he explained. The new members Dave recommended are all thriving in leadership positions: Andrew Smentek '27 is VP of academics, Ben Cummings '27 is VP of loss prevention, and Ryan Nelson '27 is house director. Staying connected to the chapter isn't just a matter of nostalgia; it's about ensuring the fraternity's future success. "Empowering solid leaders makes the entire organization better," Dave said. He encourages other alumni to find their own ways to reconnect. "The undergraduates can learn from your experience and use your professional advice," he said. "It's all about networking." KEEPING CONNECTED WITH BROTHERS Even decades after leaving the chapter house, Dave's connection to the brotherhood remains strong. "Our crew gets together two or more times a year," he shared. Brother Dr. Bob Becker '87 is in Branson, and we meet each summer to play golf and talk about the old days. Fun fact: when we get together for lunches or dinners, I have yet to 'lose' or 'win' the credit card game!" he laughed. Now residing in Plainfield, Illinois, Dave plays golf, runs, and stays involved with his family's activities. He and his wife, Donna, a fellow Mizzou graduate, have three children: "Emily is getting her doctorate in Computational Science and Engineering at MIT, Alison was a Pi Phi and 2024 Mizzou graduate working at State Farm, and Justin is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville majoring in civil engineering and playing soccer." If you'd like to reconnect with Dave, you can send an email to williamsd16@outlook.com. GREEK WEEK

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