Alumni Success Stories

The fraternity experience at the University of Oklahoma creates men of character, integrity and accomplishment. We are very proud of what our fraternity men accomplish after graduation and would like to share a few profiles of successful men who began their journey to success by choosing to join an IFC fraternity.

Chris Wilson

Kappa Alpha Order, Class of 1989

Academic Degrees:

Letters, University of Oklahoma

International Political and Economic Systems, Georgetown University

Family:

Chris is married to Kathryn, and they have two boys: Denver is 4, and Carson is 3.

Current Professional Endeavors:

Founder and CEO of Wilson Research Strategies, an industry leader in research based strategic consulting. WRS has worked with 109 of the Fortune 500.

Past positions and accomplishments:

Executive Director of the Republican Party of Texas

Involvement in campaigns for US President, Governor, Senator and US Congress

Helped elect the Prime Minister of the UK, Turkey, Israel, Ukraine and other nations

Has worked for over 100 current and former members of congress

Civic Involvement:

Active in the Chambers of Commerce of OKC, South OKC and Edmond

Downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club

Board member for several charities and not profit organizations

Chris’s “most important” activity is coaching his son’s T ball team

What encouraging words would you have for the prospective fraternity members of fall 2007 or their parents?

“Being Greek was the most important decision I made in college. Above major. Above student government or any other extracurricular activity. Above all else being in a fraternity prepared me for life after college and I would not just urge that every parent encourage their son to join a fraternity, I would propose they demand it.”

What is the most valuable benefit you gained from your fraternity experience at OU?

“My fraternity experience was the most valuable time I spent at OU. Being Greek taught me how to build and maintain relationships. It forced me to go to study hall to concentrate on my grades when I likely would have been elsewhere doing other things. It provided the sort of well rounded education that is typically only received at a small school. The Greek system transformed the large university of OU environment into a shrunken, socially manageable microcosm in which I could interact, learn and even lead.”

Gene Rainbolt

Sigma Nu, Class of 1948

Academic Degrees:

BBA in Economics, University of Oklahoma

MBA in Finance, University of Oklahoma

Family:

Gene and his wife Jeannine have two children, David and Leslie, and seven grandchildren.

Current Professional Endeavors:

Founder and Chairman of BancFirst Corp.

Selected Honors:
Humanitarian Award
The National Conference for Community & Justice (1997)
Oklahoma Hall of Fame Inductee (1999)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Leadership Oklahoma (2002)
Distinguished Service Award, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (2003)

Selected Past and Current Civic Involvement:

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Director
Oklahoma Arts Institute, Chairman
Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, President
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Executive Committee, President
Academy for State Goals, President and Chairman
Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, Chairman
Nichols Hills United Methodist Church, Trustee

What is the most valuable benefit you gained from your fraternity experience at OU?
“The most valuable benefit is the network of friends that have remained so for almost 60 years. Many are strategically situated throughout the state and country, and almost without exception, they are very responsive. These friends are beneficial for business, social and support reasons. I see several on a regular basis, and we have common pursuits.”



Carl Edwards
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Class of 1966

Academic Degrees:
Economics, University of Oklahoma
MBA, University of Texas

Family:
Carl and his wife, Susan, have been married for 34 years. They have two daughters: Megan (27) lives in Houston, and Paige (24) will soon be moving from Atlanta to the Dallas area.

Current Professional Endeavors:
One of two managing partners of Price Edwards & Company, a full service commercial real estate company located in Oklahoma City. They are the largest such firm domiciled in the State of Oklahoma.

Current Civic Involvement:
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian Health Foundation
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Area Public School Trust (MAPS for Kids)
Vice Chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Board Member of the United Way of Central Oklahoma
Board Member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation

What part did your fraternity experience play in the success you have achieved after college?
“I learned a great deal about leadership in the fraternity. At the time I was in the house, we governed ourselves with little alumni involvement. I watched my upper classmen run an unbelievably good operation when I was a young member, and I was able to participate in that leadership during my later college years. I learned about consensus building, delegation of authority, and being disciplined in all my affairs while in these positions.”

What encouraging words would you have for the prospective fraternity members of Fall 2007 or their parents?
“While a fraternity shouldn’t be the only social outlet of a young man entering OU, it can be a great part of college life. Many life changing experiences that occur in college can be attributed to being part of a fraternity, and those experiences can be beneficial later in life.”

Tripp Hall