Although not a Delta Tau Delta legacy, Stephen Reel’s two older brothers had attended OSU. He says, “They were not affiliated with Greek life, and I wasn’t rushed by ΔΤΔ during the summer [before freshman year]. I got in at the last minute to visit Delt during Rush Week.”
Delt Was Pivotal To Personal Development
That fortunate circumstance led to Stephen “learning to listen and lead others, to serve others, and learning what it takes to excel and achieve goals. My four years in the house were pivotal in my personal development.”
The opportunity to watch and learn from upperclassmen such as Gale Wilkerson ’66, Jerry Barnett ’68, Mike Ludewig ’68, Joe Millar ’68, and Chip Woodward ’68 certainly made an impact on him and the Delta Chi Chapter as a whole.
While navigating academic demands and earning a bachelor’s degree (and later an M.A.) in political science, Stephen created a multitude of memories, including winning the Hugh Shields Award, which allowed them to retain the flag. And he fondly recalls, as chapter president, “hiring Rick Morris ’70 as rush chairman and staying up all night with him and others, waiting on the patio to greet the 24 new pledges.”
“Learning to listen and lead others, to serve others, and learning what it takes to excel and achieve goals. My four years in the house were pivotal in my personal development.”
– Stephen Reel
Quite A Career!
After graduation, Stephen spent his career in municipal government: 40 years as general counsel and organizer for a state-wide self-insurance cooperative for 450+ municipalities in Oklahoma; 44 years serving The City of The Village, initially as city manager and later as city attorney and prosecutor; and three years as city attorney for Midwest City.
Stephen was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, city managers in the United States when he was appointed to that position at age 25 in 1974. That same year, he began studying law at Oklahoma City University and graduated with his juris doctorate in 1977.
Turning The Page
Now retired, Stephen enjoys distance bicycling, hiking, reading history, and expanding his rock guitar skills. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Susie, who served as a vice president for the OSU Foundation. All three of their children, Michael, Stephanie, and Sarah, pledged Greek chapters at OSU.
“It seems there never was a time that I wasn’t on campus regularly for the last 50 years,” Stephen says, both as a parent of undergraduates and as a Delta Chi House Corporation member for two separate terms.
He is proud of the chapter and believes the members are working hard. “It’s on the way back to the top!” However, he stresses that all members should remember “that others who came before us established a solid foundation and reputation for what we enjoyed before we ever set foot in the Shelter.”
Back to Home | Related: Gale Wilkerson ’66 Reflects On His Delta Tau Delta Experience, Joseph Eastin Lives Fraternity Values, Proves Bonds Are for Life
