Ensuring Quality Leadership Education: Stricklin Establishes Fund for Walsh Province
Kappa Alpha Order seeks to be a moral compass for the modern gentleman, and it does not end with our values and mission. KA’s leadership education, like the Number I’s Leadership Institute, enhanced Province Councils, and the Emerging Leaders Academy, are all designed to develop leaders among men.
One particular Texas State University alumnus saw the need to provide unparalleled educational opportunities to KA undergraduates and decided to take action to support the Order’s continued leadership education through the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation.
On Thursday, April 20, 2017, at a reception for members of the KAOEF’s Crimson and Gold Society at The Forest Club in Houston, Texas, Don Stricklin (Epsilon Iota–Texas State ’79) signing the establishment of the L. Don Stricklin Leadership Fund for William Archibald Walsh Province. This endowment will help enhance the educational programming, including Province Council, for chapters in Walsh Province.
“Because Kappa Alpha had such a significant impact on my life – this was a small way of giving back so that same impact might happen with other young men,” Don said. “It was obvious from attending the Province Council in February that Kappa Alpha provides much needed leadership training that not only helps chapters, but will be live long skills that guys can use forever. In my mind, this is a great investment for anyone’s future.”
Don Stricklin (Epsilon Iota–Texas State ’79) is the Chairman of Far West Capital. Prior to joining Far West Capital, Don was president and CEO of State Bank and Texas United Bancshares in La Grange, Texas. Texas United grew from $80 million in 1997 to more than $1.8 billion in assets by February 2007, with 41 locations prior to its merger with Prosperity Bancshares. Prior to joining Texas United in 1996, Don was senior vice president at Bank One Mortgage in Dallas. He also served in several management positions with Bank One in the community bank division, including president and CEO of Bank One in Abilene, Texas. Don served on the board of Prosperity Bancshares, Inc., formerly Texas United Bancshares, until he joined Far West Capital in 2007.
Don previously served national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and received his commission in 1985. He is a former director of The Independent Bankers Bank (TIB) in Irving, Texas and was named one of the finalists competing for the Stevie Award as Best Executive at the 2005 American Business Awards in New York City.
Don was initiated to the Epsilon Iota Chapter at Texas State University in 1979. He has remained involved in leadership roles with chapter’s alumni association over the years and is a member of the KAOEF’s Crimson & Gold Society. Don holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State University where he has been honored for his support of academics and athletics at the University. Don makes his home in Austin, Texas with his wife, Tish.
