Throughout its 130 year history, the Auburn University chapter of Phi Delta Theta has produced countless alumni who have distinguished themselves both locally and nationally in a variety of endeavors. 

For example, our chapter produced George Petrie, Auburn’s first football coach, Dean of Auburn University, and author of The Auburn Creed; Clifford Hare (1891), first president of the Southern Conference (forerunner of Southeastern Conference) and Dean of Auburn University; Wilton Persons (1916), Major General in World War II and Eisenhower’s White House Chief of Staff; Frank McCall (1937), nationally renowned architect; Eugene Sledge (1948), author of With The Old Breed, an account of his experiences in the Pacific Theater of World War II that was featured prominently in Ken Burns’ 2007 documentary The War and the subject of an upcoming Home Box Office miniseries entitled The Pacific; Roger “Zeke” Smith (1960), three time NCAA Division I football All American and winner of the Outland Trophy; Albert Lee Smith (1954), United States Congressman for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District from 1980-82; and Phil Humann (1967), and Chairman Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, to name only a few prominent alumni.  Our chapter continues to produce men of such quality.   

Given our strong alumni base, the chapter’s House Corporation decided in 2006 to establish an Alumni Mentoring Program.  This program has two primary functions.  One, to bring prominent alumni to speak to the chapter regarding what college students need to do (or not do) in their scholastic and personal life to set themselves upon a path to a successful and fulfilling life and career.  Some of the issues and topics discussed include personal responsibility, the importance of setting goals, looking out for others, respect for the law, the importance of learning and scholastic achievement, and respect for women. 

The second function of this program is to help undergraduates to utilize the chapter’s vast network of alumni when seeking advice and help in establishing their careers after graduation.    

The mentoring program got off to an auspicious start with Phil Humann (1967), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, and Murray Mitchell (1980), director of employee recruiting for IBM, speaking during 2006 – 2007 school year.  Judge Craig Schwall (1985), a Superior Court Judge for Fulton County, Georgia, spoke to the chapter during the first semester of the 2007 – 2008 school year. 

Ken Stephens (1978) is scheduled to speak during the Spring semester of 2008.  Mr. Stephens is a partner in Capstone Group, Inc., where he advises corporate real estate staffs of regional and national retail companies, including Kohl’s, The Home Depot, L.A. Fitness and B.J.’s Wholesale Club.  Prior to joining the Capstone Group, Mr. Stephens directed all store development activities for The Home Depot in the Western, Northwestern, and Southwestern United States and Canada.