THE BETA PHI LEGACY

Honoring distinguished Delts

ROBERT JAMES KEGERREIS Class of 1943

Ohio boasts one the of the largest and most successful university systems of any state. Each corner of Ohio has multiple schools with academic programs ranking among the nations best. As former president of Wright State University, Bob Kegerreis has been instrumental to the development of higher education in Ohio. Kegerreis was born in Detroit, but spent most of his young life in Woodsfield, Ohio. Choosing to carry on a long time family tradition he attended The Ohio State University, where he became a member of Delta Tau Delta. As a student and fraternity leader Kegerreis served two terms as President of Beta Phi Chapter. He was also elected to Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Gamma Sigma as well as Sphinx, Ohio States senior honorary. After receiving his bachelors degree in 1943, Kegerreis became an officer in the United States Navy. During World War II, his ship, the USS Macomb, saw combat in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific theaters earning it the Presidential Unit Citation. After returning to the United States Kegerreis earned both an MBA and doctorate from Ohio State. In 1969 Kegerreis became a professor at Wright State, then a small university in Fairborn, Ohio just outside of Dayton. As an educator Kegerreis focused on graduate business and economic classes teaching aspiring professionals the keys to successful and ethical business practice. He was soon named Dean of The College of Business and Administration and eventually appointed as vice president and director of the universitys administration. In 1973 Kegerreis became the second president in Wright States young history.

Wright State now credits Kegerreis as the president who guided the university from adolescence to adulthood. During his twelve year tenure, the university saw unprecedented growth which included the addition of the Schools of Nursing, Medicine and Professional Psychology. Currently, Wright State honors exemplary educators with The Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching award. In addition Delta Tau Delta Fraternity honored him with the Alumni Achievement award in 1976 for bringing honor and prestige to the fraternity though success in his field. In retirement, Kegerreis remains close to Dayton and has stayed involved in the community he helped to shape. Few men are blessed with the talent to succeed in teaching, research or business; even fewer can thrive in more than one of these fields. Robert Kegerreis has excelled in all three, leading one of Ohios fastest growing universities to great success in a very short time. His ability to manage, develop and teach was paramount to the growth of Wright State and serves as an example to each and every academic institution public and private.

by Stephen M. Skok, Class of 2009