Dan Evatt ’74 Thankful for a Lifetime of Friendship and Support
Be flexible. Try new things. Only take appropriate risks. These are just a few of the important life lessons Dan Evatt ’74 gained throughout his experiences in Delta Tau Delta at OU. Being part of a family of Delts, Dan developed the fraternity’s values early on and was destined to carry on the family tradition. “I instantly felt wanted and accepted by the men in the chapter. Coming from a small town, Delta Alpha was a silver lining for me and provided various opportunities to excel not only in the fraternity but also throughout the university. I wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything.”
As recruitment chairman, alumni relations chairman, and president of the Interfraternity Council, Dan was a zealous member from the start. “The unparalleled support and guidance I received from brothers encouraged me to pursue leadership opportunities, go outside of my comfort zone, and grow personally and professionally,” Dan says. Aside from the brotherhood aspect of Delta Alpha, however, Dan found the size of the chapter to be the most valuable asset to the fraternity. “Our chapter continues to uphold its commitment to recruiting outstanding young men and, as a result, Delta Alpha has over 200 active members today. Our chapter has come a long way and I couldn’t be more proud,” he says.
Dan stays connected with several Delta Alpha brothers on a regular basis. He cherishes the lunches that he and five of his pledge brothers host in Norman every August, and he enjoys hearing their stories and experiences since graduating. Dan maintains his involvement with the chapter and served as Delta Alpha’s alumni recruitment advisor for several years. He encourages alumni to remember their Delta Alpha roots and says, “Alumni support is the reason why Delta Alpha has remained on campus, and the years I served as chapter advisor provided me with invaluable experiences and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Take time to give back to the chapter. You’ll be glad you did.”
After a fulfilling career with AT&T, Dan serves as the chief operating officer for Brainerd Chemical Company in Tulsa, which is Oklahoma’s largest privately held chemical company. He and his wife, Patty, are active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa and volunteer a great deal with local causes. They are also alumni volunteers for OU, and Dan is involved with several boards for the university. Dan and Patty have two daughters, Amanda and Katie, both of whom are fourth-generation OU graduates, and one grandson. “My grandson will be a fifth-generation OU graduate—he doesn’t know this yet since he is only 18 months old, but it will happen!” he jokes. You can contact Dan at [email protected].
