In last month’s e-letter, we sent out a survey to our Beta Alumni. Now, we’d like to share some of our favorite responses with you! If you want to answer these questions yourself, please CLICK HERE to take the survey. You may see your Beta memories, photos or reflections published in a future newsletter or e-letter. We’d love to hear from all our Beta Alumni! Here are your Brothers responses.
Ben Rudisill III ‘91
“The DKE house is a perpetual well regarded fraternity at UNC, so being part of that has been valuable.
I think just trying to do what is best for the house and to keep people in touch with what is happening. Obviously, younger alumni or alumni with kids who are DKEs are likely the best options for giving.
I am in touch with a majority of my pledge class and others who are DKEs. Obviously, there are a lot of us in Charlotte.
My daughter is a junior at UNC, she is a KD and is having an awesome semester abroad in Italy. My other daughter is at UGA, and is an ADPi.”
Christopher Harris ‘95
“The friendships and extended relationships have been critical in my development over the years, and I absolutely treasure the memories of my time at the Beta chapter. I keep in touch with many alumni including my pledge class on a regular basis. The experiences shared at 132 S. Columbia are etched in my brain and provide a constant reminder of the history and impact that the chapter has had.
I served on the Alumni Association board for many years and had a term as president. I have contributed numerous hours toward the chapter in this regard and in helping the young men get the most out of their experience.
Be a guide to the boys, be a teacher to them, be a parent to them. They don’t need more friends. They need adults that can keep them moving in a positive direction and develop into the young men that they can be. Be an advocate for the chapter on campus and throughout the community. Be a strong voice with the alumni and show what can happen when alumni are involved.
As for currently in touch, there are too many to name, but I will start with my pledge class. We have gotten together many times over the years and still keep in regular touch. As for reconnecting, it would be great to have a reunion with classes around my class year. Maybe have a cluster-type reunion of several classes at once. I graduated in 1995 so I was there with classes from 1992-1998. It would be great to reconnect with many of the guys from that era.
I was recently promoted to run the Higher Education team for Customer Success at Blackbaud. I’ve been at the company for 13 years (as of March 1), and it has been a fantastic experience filled with exciting challenges and great co-workers. Additionally, we have recently moved (last week) to a new house in Chapel Hill at 992 Cleland Drive, 27517. We are always open to having any DKE brethren come by to say hello when they are in town.”
Richard Hoyt ‘66
“The DKE House holds a ton of rich memories for all us older guys. These are what’s important.
Making the DKE House relevant to older alums is pretty tough. We do, and we will, feel disconnected simply because of the age difference.
I am pretty much in touch with a few members of my pledge class and some others. That’s all I need.
I’m retired from a lifelong career in advertising. I have become a professional artist (oil paintings), I am writing a book on my Vietnam experience, and publish a weekly blog aimed at people my age: https://lastgaffe.com/.”
William Gross
“The most valuable part of my DKE experience is the brotherhood. I came to Carolina from out of state and did not know many people. My pledge class are my closest friends and who I enjoy spending my free time with.
I would suggest more get-togethers. Maybe an event during Basketball and Baseball season, not just find raisers but social events. There could be a DKE alum get together in big cities like Charlotte or or DC for those who don’t know other DKE brothers in these locations.
I would love to know which alum live where. As far as social time the 3 years above and below my pledge class would be the most logical.”
Beech Watson III ‘71
“My pledge class has held a reunion every 5 years with strong participation. Many of us maintain regular contact and see each other relatively often. My pledge Brothers and Beta DKE hold a very special position in my life.
The guys I met as a Beta DKE: Those who were ahead of me, particularly my pledge Brothers and those who were shortly after me.
I am in regular contact with many of my pledge Brothers and have some contact with others from classes ahead and behind mine.
I continue to enjoy retirement (retired 12 years ago).”
William Tyne Jr. ‘70
“My 1969/1970 years were incredible coupled with all of the University/Civil Rights and Vietnam war issues.
My class association is fantastic. I follow the Fraternity through them much better than the Alumni Association.
I am in contact with all of my ex-fraternity members because our class is well organized.
I am semi-retired with nothing too exciting to report.”
Edward Baur ‘68
“Being a DKE as an undergrduate was very important: I learned about leadership and working with a team. I made friendships that have enhanced my life for 55 years. I met my wife at the DKE House. My son was also a Beta DKE.
The DKE alumni association allows a collegial interface between the alumni and the active chapter. Helps the leadership of the active chapter manage many challenges: Respect for the house. Respect for the active chapter and how to deal with issues like drugs, death of an active, community support, financial support for capital needs, incentives for educational achievement, Rush, serve as a buffer with the school administration, representation on the national board, alumni communications, alumni recognition and career advising
Keep up the Good Work! Strive to have at least 5 members on the board to spread the responsibilities. Met at least twice a year.
My wife and I have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. We like family trips and will take 18 people to Africa this December. We will take 2 granddaughters to Spain this May. Our oldest grandchild (boy -24) will visit us in Naples, FL next week with his girlfriend of 2 years. We are fortunate to enjoy good health. A pledge brother, Walter Hussman, will be honored next Nov. 7 with the 1851 Award (Outstanding Alumnus Award).”
Stanley Phillips ‘65
“The most valuable part of my DKE experience is the great reputation, the great people, the great brothers and the wonderful stories of what they have done through the years.
We should all stay in touch more often.
I am still in touch with Cammie Harris and Lyons Gray.
I served as US Ambassador to Estonia, and I have 4 daughters, 3 of which graduated from Duke.”
Alfred Randolph Jr. ‘84
“DKE had, and continues to have, a profound influence on me. The friendships I made there are among the most important in my life.
The most valuable part of the experience was the friendships I made with such high quality guys. These are guys who went on to become doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, Wall Street success stories, and successful businessmen. When you surround yourself with high quality folks, you up your game. I upped my game to keep up with this group and am proud to have them as my friends.
I think the alumni association first and foremost should and can do more to support the active chapter by giving. If we pay it forward, we leave a legacy from which others can benefit. The house is tired and needs attention, and it should never be allowed to fall into disrepair. It remains something to be proud of; we all need to keep it that way.
Encouraging giving requires 2 things – leading by example, and leveraging personal connections. We can all do a better job of asking our friends to support DKE at some level.
I stay in close touch with our pledge class and that will never change. I’d like to stay in closer touch with other classes or our era. Perhaps parties focused on decades would help that.
I’m a partner in a large law firm in Virginia and have been with the same firm for 32 years. I have a great wife (Kristen) of 30 years, and 3 sons; Ranny (24). Christian (20), and Peyton (17). Christian is currently a sophomore at Carolina and is a DKE brother, currently serving as Social Chair. Much of my non-professional life has revolved around civic work in our community, and around my sons’ athletic careers. I feel blessed.”
