1996 Tiger Pride Award

Don Prater

Don Prater rides with pride in his black and gold Volkswagon throughout the Valley of the Sun Chapter area in Phoenix, Arizona. Don has been the founder, revitalizer and President of the chapter, and he is currently the Membership Chairman. In addition, Don served a term as a southwestern regional director on the national alumni board.

For more than 25 years, since first moving to Arizona, Don Prater has been the alumni contact for visitors, snow birds, and newcomers. He personally contacts those who move to Phoenix, welcoming them and inviting them to join in chapter activities. 

Sharing that pride was never more important, nor more successful, than when Don managed a fund-raising drive to send a Phoenix student to MU. Praising Don’s warm, nurturing style in her letter supporting his nomination, the student is now an alum and a volunteer leader herself! What goes around, does come around!

Don Prater earned a BS in Public Administration in 1958 and negotiated contracts for Allied Signal during most of his working career. Though he retired from Allied Signal a few years ago and he is employed parttime with Royal Aviation now, he’s a full-time Tiger whose pride spands 1300 miles and runs deep. 

Don and his wife Phyllis, an honorary Tiger, live in Tempe.