Serving since 2008, longtime Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity advisor Doug Ireland is stepping down from his day-to-day role guiding the operations of the Beta Omicron undergraduate chapter at Northwestern State University.

The Pi Kappa Phi alumnus and dedicated volunteer spent the last 15 years overseeing the student chapter officers and serving as a critical liaison to the alumni chapter.

Appointed by the National Council of Pi Kappa Phi, Ireland worked side-by-side with student leaders, attending weekly chapter meetings, executive council meetings, and other chapter events.

In this critical role, he also successfully partnered with Pi Kappa Phi headquarters staff members, other volunteers, and university staff members to help the chapter make intelligent, fair, and reasonable choices within the boundaries of the law, as well as Pi Kappa Phi’s standards of conduct, and NSU policies.

He also excelled at providing student members with the appropriate amount of challenge and support to make decisions that advanced the mission of both the chapter and the national organization. During his tenure, the student chapter earned numerous accolades: national awards from Pi Kappa Phi for academic achievement, recruitment success, overall operational success, and commitment to its philanthropy, The Ability Experience. The “Ireland era” saw Beta Omicron Chapter earn awards from Northwestern, including the President’s Cup for highest GPA and the Intramural All-Sports Championship.

His tenure also spanned several critical moments in the chapter’s recent history, including Beta Omicron Chapter’s 60th anniversary celebration, the construction of a $1.1 million modern chapter house, as well as navigating student members through the COVID-19 pandemic.

With his straight-talk and ‘Dealing with Duggie’ approach to advising, he also led a team of alumni volunteers assigned to specific areas of chapter operations. The Beta Omicron Chapter Council of Advisors even received Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity’s 2016 ‘Excellence in Advising’ award.

Known for wearing multiple hats in his professional and personal lives, Ireland retired in 2019 as Northwestern State University’s Associate Athletic Director and Sports Information Director of more than 30 years. He continues to serve as chairman of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, housed in Natchitoches.

Ireland plans to remain involved with the student and alumni chapters, but in a more informal capacity.

The Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter board of directors is currently working to recruit and train Ireland’s successor. Pi Kappa Phi alumnus Scott Maggio has agreed to serve in the interim.

Here’s what other Beta Omicron Chapter Pi Kapps are saying about Doug:

“Doug has been a great role model for the brothers of Beta Omicron. His consistent dedication and commitment to the chapter has had a positive impact on these young men for many years. While he will continue as a trusted and supportive alumnus, he will be missed as chapter advisor. Thank you, Doug. You are a great brother and friend! You contributed ‘a lot of bricks in the building!'”

Alumni Chapter Director of Housing Robert Broadwell

“Who knows where the chapter would be without Doug. He has stepped up to the plate for the student chapter time and time again. Some things were proud moments and others not so much. No matter the circumstance Doug can be counted on. I aspire to be that type of brother in our great Fraternity. As Doug moves on from his role as our Alumni Advisor his direct guidance will be missed, but our love for ‘Duggie’ will forever be in our hearts.”

Alumnus Sean Austin, who Doug mentored during his term as student chapter archon

“As close as we’ve become over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever referred to him by his name alone. He’s always ‘Brother Doug’ when we greet each other or I refer to him in conversation. It came from a place of respect and excitement to be able to call someone like him, my brother in Pi Kappa Phi. I know I’m not alone in that. His heart and his personality made it so easy for him to connect with our students and alumni to achieve some consequential accomplishments. We may never be able to fully pay back our “debt” to him for all he’s given our fraternity.”

Alumnus Lane Luckie, former Alumni Chapter president who served alongside Doug

“Thank you, Doug for the years of service. Many men are better because of you.”

Alumnus Nick Breaux, former staff member for Pi Kappa Phi’s national philanthropy, The Ability Experience

“I served with Doug as an advisor for four years. He is a tremendous, caring man who loved working with the fraternity and all the young men who are a part of Pi Kappa Phi. Please send him my best wishes in all his future happiness and successes. I am a better man for having worked with him.”

Alumnus Dr. Richard Hughbank, U.S. Army (Ret.), fmr. Beta Omicron Chapter Council of Advisors member

Others wishing to share reflections or congratulatory sentiments may email them to alumni@pikappNSU.org.