A Family Affair
Fourth Generation Psi Tom McMillan III ’92 Impressed with Leadership
From the very beginning, DKE has played a big part in the life of Tom McMillan III ’92. Born just a few miles from the chapter house, Tom’s father, Thomas McMillan Jr. ’71, joked that a DKE pledge pin was placed on his diaper. Not only was Tom’s father a member of the Psi Chapter, four generations of McMillan men have lived within the walls of the mansion on the hill. His great-grandfather, Edward L. McMillan 1909, and grandfather, Thomas E. McMillan ’35, were also Psi brothers.
Despite his family history with DKE, Tom kept his options open when he started college at Alabama. “Joining a fraternity is a big commitment and I wanted to make the best decision for myself. As it turned out, joining DKE was the best choice.” Not only did he continue the family legacy, but he formed strong bonds with his pledge brothers that strengthen each year. Since graduation Tom and his pledge brothers have been able to get together for a reunion each year, further strengthening their friendship and bonds of brotherhood.
Because the DKE brotherhood has played a big part in Tom’s life, he feels it is important to give back. “I was very impressed with the hours of work that was being done by the brothers in order to get everything in place for the new house—the least I could do was contribute financially.” He is also very appreciative of the leadership from those who took charge of the project. “It’s a testament to the legacy of DKE. The commitment and hard work involved in getting the new house built and raising a record amount of money from the brothers ensures that DKE will be successful for at least another 100 years.”
Tom advises young alumni to be patient as they start their careers. “If you have a passion for something, keep at it and don’t be discouraged if your career doesn’t take off as quickly as you would like it to.” To undergraduate members he says, “Remember why you are at the university—to study and graduate. Also be sure to take advantage of the unique opportunity you have within DKE—do not take the friendships you make for granted; they will last for a lifetime and become something you treasure.”
Tom lives in North Carolina with his wife, Susanne, and their three children: Mary Coley, Luci, and Tommy. He is a partner at Collett & Associates, a full-service commercial real estate company that specializes in retail properties. In his spare time Tom likes to hunt, fish, and play golf, even though most of his time is spent with family attending the various sporting events his children are involved in. He can be reached at [email protected]