Page 1 - TN Delta Shield - Fall 2015

Tennessee Delta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi | Vanderbilt University | Fall 2015
Alumni Relations Office | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987

From the President AlumniSpotlight: ROSS A. RAINWATER ’65

Brothers, Editor’s Note: For this edition of the newsletter we’re shining
the Spotlight on 50-YEAR MEMBER and dedicated volunteer
Through the years, to the betterment of our chapter, LTC Ross Rainwater Ret. ’65.
all fraternities From the hometown of Sapulpa, OK, Ross earned his BA in political
change including science at Vandy, and then went on to earn a Masters in Business
Tennessee Delta. By Management from Southeastern Institute in AL. Ross is a retired LT.
the time your son Colonel from US Army after 24 years Active, National Guard, and
joins a fraternity, it has Army Reserve service. He is also retired as Section Operations and
changed from what Planning Manager from Philip Morris USA after working in sales
you remember and when your grandson for 16 years. Currently retired from the business world, Ross stays
joins, it is barely recognizable. I will busy by lending his time to the House Corporation as the Secretary/
try to bring you up to date on some of Treasurer for well over a decade. As an active he served the chapter
the changes that effect alumni. as Historian, Treasurer, and chapter President. Ross and his wife
BOTH our National and Vanderbilt Suzanne have been married 22 years and they share four children:
have imposed many new rules on Jenny & Sara for Ross; and Brad & Stephen for Suzanne. When
fraternities. Violation of these rules he’s not traveling the country, Ross enjoys working on computers,
can cause a chapter to receive social attending his church, and occasionally teaching Sunday school.
probation. If violations are serious or
recurring, the chapter can be suspended. Picture from left to right: Ross’ older daughter Jenny, Ross, newest house on campus... and the first fraternity
Alumni violating these rules not only and his wife Suzanne at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, with air conditioning - giving us an advantage.
set a bad example but can also cause England on a recent trip to the UK. “Jenny’s in the Eastern
the chapter to be punished. Hemisphere; my wife and I are in the Western Hemisphere! What do you think about the recent
The following rules apply to ALL upgrades to the house?
alumni: After 50 years of being a TN Deltan what Our Resident VU Engineer, Bro. Chuck Higgins
1. NO HAZING OF PLEDGES. is your favorite memory? put his degree, experience, and expertise to
Hazing has a very broad definition. Construction starting on the house. My pledge work to coordinate the renovations and upgrade
Telling a pledge to go downstairs class was there when the new house foundation which have produced exceptional results and
and get your coat or get you a drink was first begun in spring 1965. Not having a new improvements. I couldn’t be happier!
is hazing. Any violation of this rule house adversely affected rush efforts. We were all
is a major violation. very excited about the building, which produced After graduation, why did you volunteer
2. NO HARD LIQUOR OR WINE IN a newfound pride in the chapter for having the for the Army?
THE HOUSE. This is a Vanderbilt As the son of a WWII bomber crewmember, it
rule enforced on all fraternities and never occurred to me *not* to enroll in ROTC
sororities. Only BEER is allowed in 1964. This was just before the Vietnam War
and only 6 beers per person during broke out in 1965, which meant ROTC grew to
parties. Alumni must follow this be very large. I entered the Army in 1968 as a
rule while visiting the house. 2nd Lt. Since VU didn’t have Air Force ROTC,
President (Continued on Page 4) I had set my sights on Army helicopter flight
school (Hueys) and then additional gunship pilot
training (Cobras), serving immediately afterward
in Vietnam. I was on active duty for seven years.

Special thanks to all of the Class of 1965 brothers celebrating Once you completed flight school where
50 Years with Tennessee Delta that have shown their support were you stationed?
After completing Cobra school and 30 days
with a gift to the Capital Campaign or Annual Fund. leave, I reported to Vietnam, where I served with
an Air Cavalry Unit.
We AppreciateYou!
When you returned home from active duty
Larry E. Matthews Robert C. Perry what type of work did you do when you
Carl C. Cassell Russell E. Yester joined Philip Morris?
Grady L. Warren Ross A. Rainwater I started at the bottom as a sales representative
Robert K. Brown and later became an area manager calling on
Richard F. Brewer III wholesalers; then a sales division manager of six
reps; a supervisor of area managers; a personnel
TN DELTA! TN DELTA! TN DELTA! TN DELTA! TN DELTA! manager for the SE US; and finally the #2 manager

Rainwater (Continued on Page 4)