The Supreme Executive Committee of Kappa Sigma Fraternity has selected Brother James W. Stuckert as the 2019 Kappa Sigma Fraternity Man of the Year. Brother Stuckert is an April 22, 1956 initiate of the Beta-Nu Chapter at the University of Kentucky. During his undergraduate years, he served as both Grand Procurator and Grand Master of the Chapter. Brother Stuckert was the delegate to the 1959 Grand Conclave in Denver, Colorado and was one of the undergraduate speakers at the Grand Conclave. He is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Tau Sigma Chemical Engineering Honorary. During his undergraduate years, he served as Business Manager for the Kentucky Engineering Magazine and was the Student Government Association Representative from the College of Engineering. Brother Stuckert graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 and also received an MBA in 1961.
Brother Stuckert’s first employment was with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. In December 1962 Brother Stuckert joined W.L. Lyons and Company. He became a partner of the merged J.J.B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, and Company in December of 1968. He was responsible for equity trading at Hilliard Lyons prior to assuming the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in December of 1995. He has served on the Board of Directors of Hilliard Lyons, Inc. since its incorporation on December 1, 1972, until his retirement as Chairman of the Board on December 31, 2003.
In 1976, Brother Stuckert was elected to serve as President of the University of Kentucky National Alumni Association and still remains on the Board of Directors. In 1980, he received the Distinguished Service Award for Exceptional Service to the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.
Brother Stuckert served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Kentucky Development Council. He was the Chair of the Capital Campaign recently concluded, which raised over $1 billion for the University of Kentucky. He also chaired the Corporate and Foundation Committee for the new William T. Young Library Campaign in the early 1990s. Brother Stuckert is a UK Presidential Fellow. Brother Stuckert was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame of the University of Kentucky Carol Gatton College of Business and Economics in February of 1997. He was also inducted to the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni in May of 2000 and was inducted to the Engineering Hall of Fame in April of 2002. Among other honors, Brother Stuckert was the recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Kentucky in May of 2004.
As of July 2, 2009, Brother Stuckert was appointed to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees for a term of six years. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Finance Committee for five years. He also served as Chair of the University of Kentucky Presidential Search Committee in 2010 and 2011 resulting in the hiring of President Eli Capilouto effective July 1, 2011. Brother Stuckert considers the hiring of President Capilouto to be one of the University’s most significant achievements.
Brother Stuckert has remained active as a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and as an initiate of Beta-Nu Chapter throughout his life. He was involved in the founding of Kappa Sigma Chapters at Western Kentucky in 1964 as well as the University of Louisville in 1984. In July 2008 he received the A Greater Cause Distinguished Alumnus Award from Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He credits the Fraternity with helping the development of his social, leadership and Brotherhood skills.
“I absolutely love my pledge class, the second semester of the 1955-1956 school year!”
Executive Director Mitchell B. Wilson stated:
“Jim Stuckert’s name is synonymous with everything that is excellent at the University of Kentucky. There has not been a more loyal alumnus to our alma mater. He has constantly provided leadership to the University of Kentucky since the first day he set foot on campus as a freshman. The Brothers of Beta-Nu Chapter have been blessed to have guidance and support for the 64 years of his membership in Kappa Sigma. He has shared his treasure with the University of Kentucky, the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund and the Beta-Nu Chapter and has been a significant role model and mentor for me personally. I treasure his friendship.”
Brother Stuckert was inducted into the inaugural class for the Beta-Nu Hall of Fame in 2015.
The James W. Stuckert Career Center at the University of Kentucky was named in his honor by the University Trustees for generous resources provided for the Career Center by Brother Stuckert and his wife Diane.
Jim and Diane have attended many Kappa Sigma functions together. Diane is a former sweetheart for Beta-Nu Chapter and is a loyal member of Chi Omega. Jim and Diane have both been inducted to the University of Kentucky Fraternity and Sorority Hall of Fame.
Brother Stuckert provided the following advice to undergraduates in their education and in their development as members of our society,
“Study hard, work hard, have fun, and learn to spend time wisely. Pay attention, be involved and always be a part of the solution, not the problem. Be a positive influence and appreciate what you have.”
A Man of the Year banquet to honor Brother Stuckert will take place in Lexington this fall. Once details are finalized, they will be posted on the Kappa Sigma website.
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