I originally joined Sigma Phi Epsilon because I wanted an environment with built-in social experiences and the chance to quickly meet people from across the state. From the start, the chapter gave me exactly that and much more. We were always known as one of the houses that had fun, but as the chapter evolved, so did our focus on academics and leadership. Watching our membership grow stronger, raise our GPA and earn national recognition was something I was genuinely proud of. Being in the house when we won a Buchanan Cup is a feeling I’ll never forget.

Some of my favorite memories are tied to the sense of belonging SigEp created. Initiation week stands out, especially the moment after initiation when you’re standing in a room with older members and truly feel equal. Events like Skull and Bones were legendary, but just as meaningful were the quieter moments like being a senior and having underclassmen come to me to talk about career paths and life after graduation. Those conversations made me realize how much the chapter experience had shaped me.

I earned my degree from the College of Business with an emphasis in finance. While working at a bank, I became increasingly interested in what makes financial institutions essential, which solidified my desire to build a career in that field.

After graduating, I worked as an auditor and commercial loan officer at a bank in Manhattan, Kansas, then moved into a controller role at a family-owned lumber company. Six years after graduation, I joined Steel and Pipe Supply, spending my first 10 years as controller and the next 23 as CFO. It’s been an amazing company and one that has grown across the U.S. while maintaining its leadership roots in Manhattan.

Kansas Beta played a significant role in my professional success by bringing me out of my shell and helping me develop strong communication skills. That impact is one of the reasons I chose to stay involved as an alumni volunteer. After graduating and continuing to live in Manhattan, I realized there weren’t many alumni who stayed local. While I was single, I saw volunteering as a way to give back and share my experiences, and I’ve remained active on the alumni and volunteer corporation ever since. The men of Kansas Beta continue to keep me young and on my toes. Each new member class creates another opportunity to develop men, which is ultimately why we exist — to make people better by sharing wisdom and experience.

To any young alumnus thinking about reconnecting or volunteering, my advice is simple: don’t wait. We need mentors, even if it’s just a periodic phone call. SigEp matters. I truly would not be where I am today without it. Many of my brothers are still in my life, and I often reflect on where I’d be without Sigma Phi Epsilon. If that answer includes the wealth you have in family or in treasure, then you owe it to the Fraternity to give back your time and resources so the SigEp brand can continue to grow.

Fraternally,

Dirk Daveline, Kansas State ’87