Alumni News
*Reflects submissions to the DU Quarterly by the Jan. 15 deadline.
Submit news anytime at deltau.org/du-quarterly-chapter-news-submission-form.
Arkansas
In January 2024, Brother Matt Zimmerman, Arkansas ’90, was named Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Since 2015, Zimmerman has been calling University of Arkansas Razorback basketball games, and he has co-hosted The Razorback Daily podcast since 2021.
As a student, Zimmerman served as a student manager for the Razorbacks and began his coaching career after graduation. After coaching at the high school level, he spent 16 years in college basketball as an assistant coach under Mike Anderson, with stops at University of Alabama, Birmingham and Missouri, before returning to Arkansas in 2011. His broadcasting career began in 2015 while still serving on the men’s basketball coaching staff as Director of Basketball Operations. Zimmerman’s role with the Razorback Sports Network expanded in 2020 when he joined Arkansas football broadcasts as part of the pre-game show. He also serves as an analyst for the SEC Network+ broadcasts of Razorback women’s basketball.
“Congratulations to our own Matt Zimmerman on being recognized as the Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year,” Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said via press release. “Coach Z brings a unique broadcasting style to our fans that blends his knowledge for the game with his historical perspective of Arkansas Athletics. Most of all, it is his passion for our state and our program that shines through as he helps link Arkansans to their beloved Razorbacks.”
California
In November, the California Alumni Chapter hosted its first alumni dinner in three years. The alumni have also assisted the undergraduate chapter in constructing elevated beds in the chapter facility to meet city requirements, added a "Snack Room" next to the kitchen, and improved the library.
Illinois
Brother Kim Cox, Illinois ’76, has several notable items on his resumé, including attorney, Chair of the California Presidential Electoral College in 1996, Judge Pro Tem. of the San Diego County Superior Court, and even part-time DJ on the award-winning jazz station KSDS-FM. He can now add “author” to the list.
Brother Cox recently published “I Remain, As Ever, Your Kinsman,” a book of his ancestors’ letters regarding their participation in the Gold Rush and Civil War. The book can be purchased on Amazon.
Michigan State
Friendships made in Delta Upsilon are lifelong, and brothers of the Michigan State Chapter prove it. This winter, Brothers Jack Gatlin, Michigan State ’71; Floyd Sims, Michigan State ’71; Mike King, Michigan State '71; and Steve Flanders, Michigan State ’71; traveled to Charleston, South Carolina with their spouses (Kathy Gatlin, Margie Sims, Sally Flanders, and Colleen King) to celebrate more than 50 years of friendship.
North Carolina
Congratulations to Brother Mark Prakke, North Carolina ’87, who was presented with the Fraternity's Founders Medal on Oct. 24, 2023, during the Fraternity's alumni reception in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Founders Medal recognizes DU alumni and volunteers for their support above and beyond the bonds of brotherhood. Previous Founders Medal recipient Fred Atkins, Jr., North Carolina ’67, was also in attendance.
North Dakota
Congratulations to Brother Derek Dunham, North Dakota ’89, on being named president of Varsity, a marketing agency aimed at senior services. In his new position, Brother Dunham will lead day-to-day operations of the company in support of its national footprint and expanding client base.
Dunham is an 18-year veteran of Pavone Group, of which Varsity is a subsidiary, and has been a leader at Varsity since the agency was founded. For Dunham, the new role is an opportunity to lead clients as they transition to the next wave of retirees and their ever changing expectations.
Northern Illinois
Brian Troutman, Northern Illinois ’15, received an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Politics/Government News in recognition for his work as a producer for WCIU’s news program “On the Block.” His award-winning piece was “Suburban Shift: DuPage County’s Changing Politics.”
According to Brother Rick Young, Northern Illinois ’16, who submitted the news to the DU Quarterly, “Brian's achievement not only showcases his professional excellence but also reflects the foundational values instilled in him during his time with Delta Upsilon. His success in fostering understanding and informing the public aligns perfectly with the fraternity's commitment to the diffusion of liberal culture and the advancement of justice.”
Northern Iowa
Brother Matthew Getz, Northern Iowa ’03, was recently named president of the Iowa Heartlanders, the ECHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild hockey teams. Getz brings nearly two decades of sales, advertising and marketing experience to the team and joins the Heartlanders after spending the last five years with the Accel Group in eastern Iowa. Prior to his time with the Accel Group, Getz spent 11 years working for the University of Iowa Athletics Department in event and project management.
Oklahoma
Dr. William A. Hamilton, Oklahoma ’58, was recently inducted into the Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame. Over the years, he has published numerous newspaper articles, as well as multiple espionage novels with his wife, Penny. Brother Hamilton's distinguished career has also led him to be named to the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame, Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, and Oklahoma Military Foundation Hall of Fame. In honor of his work, the Colorado House of Representatives recognized him in August 2023 during a black-tie ceremony.
South Carolina
Alumni of the South Carolina Chapter gathered to celebrate the chapter’s 40th anniversary. In total, more than 30 people attended the event, including a dozen of the chapter’s original Founding Fathers. This photo was taken in front of the McKissick Building in the historic horseshoe on campus.
Congratulations to Brother Don Weaver, South Carolina ’85, who, on Nov. 8, 2023, won the race for Richland County Council in District 6. Brother Weaver secured 56 percent of the vote and joins the 11-member council.
Western Ontario
The Western Ontario Chapter and its alumni are gearing up for the chapter's 100th anniversary. The unofficial start to the planning phase took place on Sept. 23, 2023—as a part of Homecoming Weekend—with a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the reconstruction of the front porch of the chapter house, which was built in 1895 and has historical designation. Peter Langeman, Western Ontario ’86, prepared hor d'oeuvres and sandwiches for all in attendance.
2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the chapter at Western University, and 2031 will mark the centennial of the chapter becoming a part of Delta Upsilon. Cam Brohman, Western Ontario ’72, is spearheading the celebrations and had the following to say:
"We often hear that everyone loves a comeback story. To triumph over adversity, to refuse to give up when everything looks lost or simply sacrificing for an ideal, we humans love to see ordinary people rise up to do the extraordinary in a crisis. The Delta Upsilon brotherhood at Western University has such a story to tell. In a time when fraternities are struggling with complex social change our young men need the strength and experience that comes from those who are further along the path of life.
"In the case of DU Western, a period of serious decline had diminished the active membership, bankrupted the house to the point of a foreclosure and imminent loss of the chapter property. This nearly one hundred-year-old fraternity was about to become extinct. Then the situation was reversed by a few alumni who acted quickly and definitively. They formed a Legacy Group to eliminate all outstanding debt on the house and to finance the complete renovation of the house. DU is now among the most sought after student housing at Western. As a result of the resurrection of our beloved old DU house the active membership is also growing steadily. We're back!
"But the most impressive result of these actions has been the restoration of the bond between active undergraduate men and an alumni network spanning decades, who are rediscovering the priceless asset of belonging to the DU brotherhood. As this bond evolves we begin to feel the energy that a living brotherhood is capable of generating. We are inspired to be part of events that demonstrate the power of brotherly love to overcome all obstacles. We celebrated this modest victory at Homecoming '23. As we approach our centennial in a few years time, we also vow to never again allow our DU Western Chapter to forget this truth."
