Recently, a group of undergraduates and alumni attended Delta Upsilon’s annual Leadership Institute. It always proves to be an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone and they often come back, eager to share their thoughts with the rest of our organization. The following letter is from Brother John Little.
Brother Alumni:
The purpose of this note is to share my thoughts after attending another impactful DU Leadership Institute, this time in Kansas City from 7/31-8/2. Please take the time to read it.
First let me say, as I did last year after attending my first LI, that these things are right up there with the most enjoyable and enriching times I have experienced in the last 25 years. I say this not as a sales pitch but because I am still reflecting on the experience as I write this. All alumni should seize the opportunity to attend one and then, like me, you may commit to not missing one in the future.
Alumni brothers Bruce Howard and Vaughn Jeffries (who have attended multiple LI’s and who complain of multiple physical problems constantly) joined me and newcomer Joe Landstrom for the gathering at the Downtown Marriott in KC. 500 young undergrad leaders and committed alumni joined us. Here are some highlights:
1. Spending time with our undergrads and reacquainting with DUs we met previously is an early benefit, as is making new friends.
2. Justin Kirk, the executive director kicked of the well run conference. Both he and president Bernard Franklin have been the keys over the last 8 years in turning DU International around to become postioned where it is today which is in the top 5, maybe top 3 fraternity structures in the nation, being sought after by numerous colleges for new chapters.
3. Justin stresses that we want to become “Men of Merit” and to espouse to our goal of “Building Better Men” for the good of the men, the school and 
our society. We are sending out the leaders of tomorrow who will influence and change the world. We need them to be the right kind of men and leaders. He went on to say people, schools and other fraternities are looking to us to see what we do, how we lead and who we are. It is a great opportunity for us to continue stepping up. Finally he said that we need to ask ourselves each day: “what path will I take today and what decisions will I make” ….a proactive start so we set the right course each day.
4. Outgoing President Bernard Franklin gave the charge on Friday (2nd day). He talked about being open to other people (who may not look like you), cultures, and views, while keeping your core values. Times are a changing and we need to learn about the world, stay alert, think, interact and grow. We can slide or glide through life as we often do but we will lose our impact. (I am attaching copies of his notes for more detail).
5. Keynote speaker was Yum Brands CEO (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC) David Novak who talked about key leadership concepts including communication, desire to learn, empowering people around you and many other proven and positive ideas that have made this 1975 DU an industry leader and world class speaker. I have attached copies of notes from his speech. He had the audience focused and inspired for an hour.
6. Time with fellow alumni is incredible. Having fun, socializing over a beer, talking about what we are learning, strategizing on what we can do to further DU and its values, and getting to know the SDSU undergrads better. They all benefit by our experience and wisdom. We all have different stories with some keen insights for these bright and deserving leaders. Joe Landstrom was a big hit.
7. Having KC Bar-B-Que with Bernard at a place that opened in 1933, with food that stomps what we have in SD, was an added bonus.as was the jazz club he took us to so our dinner could digest. Wow!
8. Attending the annual DU International meeting with the alumni and conducting business and having a right to comment and vote makes one feel more of a part of this significant movement in which we are involved.
9. There was certainly no shortage of pride as we saw the SDSU log go up numerous times on the jumbotron as the top schools for CEP were recognized. We also received 2 out of 10 of the top scholarship awards (McQuaid) for the entire DU organization. Well done men!
10. A short email does not do justice (which, as you know, is our foundation) to this experience. Next year we meet in Atlanta and I am already planning for it.
I encourage you to talk to any of the alumni or undergrads who attended to get their view and to see how energized and motivated they are as a result. Encourage the undergrads to tell you what specific things they plan to do as result of the LI and how it has changed them. We need to transform vision and excitement into life changing behavior.
Fraternally yours,
John Little
