Each issue, the SAE Financial & Housing Corporation presents a profile for the Cornerstone Award. This award recognizes outstanding commitment by an alumnus toward the preservation and promotion of fraternity housing. Sigma Alpha Epsilon thanks these individuals for their dedication and their volunteer efforts. If you would like to nominate an alumnus who should be considered for the Cornerstone Award, contact Associate Executive Director Gregory Somers at gsomers@sae.net.

Profile
Chester (Don) Donnally

Graduation Stats
Southern Methodist (Texas Delta) ’67

Education
BBA Economics, Southern Methodist; MBA Finance, Cox School of Business

Hometown
Dallas, TX

Family
Wife Carol Donnally; Adult Children Christina, Chet, Caroline and Jodi

Do you have any other family ties to Sigma Alpha Epsilon?
My son, Chet, is also an alumnus from the class of 2009 at Texas Delta. He was rush chairman and Eminent Deputy Archon and a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He’s now a med student at (Brother) Paul Foster School of Medicine in El Paso.

Career Highlights
I’m proud of my involvement with filing a 13D with the SEC in 1990 that detailed open-market purchases for a percentage of Southwest Airlines. And I served on a transition team of Smith Barney for the integration and merger with Shearson/Lehman.

Fondest Fraternity Memory
I was fortunate to see the successful completion and fundraising of a $3.5-million, 46-bed chapter house for Texas Delta. In fact, I selected the site and architect, and I’m humbled the building was dedicated in my honor. Plus, we have some great events at the house for undergraduates, alumni and parents to stay involved. At the same time, I’ll always remember the “Burning the Mortgage” brunch of the old chapter house at 3105 Binkley Avenue during homecoming in 1981.

Fraternity Volunteerism
I’ve been the chapter adviser and house corporation president for Texas Delta from 1972 to today.

What has been your biggest challenge as a housing volunteer?
Each chapter in the Realm is a real business with cash flow. It is imperative to have increased membership and recruitment each year and to have a physical structure that can compete with apartment living as well as the new concepts in university-owned campus housing. If you do not get bigger, you will die. In addition, residency requirements for pledge classes and sophomores are essential to filling our house because they contribute to our yearly rental income.