Sir, You Are a KA

A candid conversation with a member of our Order

James L. “Jay” Crews II

DELTA UPSILON–TENNESSEE-MARTIN ’86

• Crimson &

Gold Society Member • Preceptor, Forester Court of Honor • Member, Feller & Forester

Courts of Honor • President, Martin,

Tennessee Alumni Chapter • Treasurer, KAM Housing

Corporation (chapter house)

Who are you in touch with often?

I’m on a group text message with alumni brothers Cecil Elliott (Delta Upsilon–Tennessee-Martin ’83), Brad Hoover (Delta Upsilon–Tennessee-Martin ’83), and Scott Morris (Delta Upsilon–Tennessee-Martin ’80). Although we don’t talk frequently, there are few days that we don’t text one another. All three were very influential Active

Members, as well as being incredibly accomplished in their careers. We stay in touch about anything and everything, KA activities to current events, sports, music, cooking, etc. I enjoy the camaraderie. I’m the youngest of the group at 55, but I can speak for all of us in that it means as much being a KA today as it did when we were actives way back in the 80s.

You’ve been involved with Delta Upsilon now for many years; why is it important to provide alumni leadership to an Active Chapter?

Delta Upsilon is approaching its 50th anniversary, and we have an energetic alumni base who still have a great deal of affection for the active chapter, and want to remain engaged and see it succeed. Over the last seven to eight years, we have raised nearly $200,000 from several hundred alumni brothers and other friends of the chapter toward the purchase of a new chapter house as well as endowing a scholarship. For me personally, it was very gratifying to be able to lead these two fundraising drives. I had the privilege of serving our chapter as

Number I in 1987, and our Number II was Gary Bledsoe (Delta Upsilon–TennesseeMartin ’86). When raising money for the new chapter house, I reached out to Gary, and he told me, “I don’t know if it’s possible for these guys to have as much fun as we did while in school, but I want them to have the opportunity.”

“ I really enjoyed chapter meetings ... it was just us obviously. The brotherhood and fellowship of those chapter meeting really stand out to me.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of KA?

I spent nearly 30 years in the banking industry after graduating, but recently I obtained my real estate license. I enjoy the challenge of learning a new career path. I also enjoy being supportive of my two kids; my son Trip is a third-year pharmacy school at UTMemphis, and my daughter Lauren is an RN with Baptist Hospital of Miami.

What is a unique memory from being an Active Member?

Apart from initiation, I don’t think there’s any one memory that’s more unique than the rest. I really enjoyed chapter meetings, however. In social settings, there would always be others of course in attendance who were not KAs, but in chapter meetings it was just us obviously. The brotherhood and fellowship of those chapter meeting really stand out to me.

Have you ever visited Lexington, Va.?

I have never visited Lexington, but it’s on my bucket list!

Why is supporting KA and KAOEF so important?

I’m proud to be a Crimson and Gold Society member for the last eight years, and being one of 300 alumni brothers to donate $3,000 to KAOEF in the months leading up to the Order’s 150th Anniversary (2015). The mission statement for KAOEF—To raise funds for the benefit of the Order— has great meaning to me, and I’m happy to take part in that effort.