In October of 1965, Dan Heinlen joined the Ohio State University Alumni Association staff. Little did he know that he would work in the same office until his retirement in December of 2003, and that two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin would be his successor!
Dan Heinlen was born in the Buckeye State, but moved to Coraopolis, PA to live from the seventh grade until graduating high school. Dan enrolled at Thiel College (home of Delta Sig’s Sigma Chapter) in the fall following high school graduation. After completing his first year, Dan realized that Thiel didn’t fit his needs, so he moved to Columbus to live with relatives and work for the summer. He enrolled at Ohio State in the fall of 1957, and ended up joining the Alpha Iota Chapter at OSU in February of 1958.
Dan didn’t waste any time getting involved as an undergraduate. He was not only involved extensively in his chapter and the IFC but in the general Ohio State campus community. Some involvement included president of Alpha Iota Chapter, vice president of Ohio Staters, Inc., executive director of the Fraternity Affair’s Office, the first Delta Sig to be initiated into Sphinx (men's senior honorary), Student Senate, and many other organizations.
Dan’s involvement with Delta Sig stems from his father and uncle, who are both Delta Sigs from Alpha Iota. Dan thanks the fraternity for how he developed as a professional. He noted that Delta Sig helped him begin developing his leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and other daily skills that he uses on a day-to-day basis.
His involvement as an undergraduate prepared him for a very successful career. After graduating from Ohio State in December of 1960, Dan worked for the YMCA in Pennsylvania. In October of 1965, he accepted a job with The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Because of Dan’s skills, he was chosen to serve as President & Chief Executive Officer in December of 1973. The Ohio State University has one of the two largest dues-paying alumni associations in the county; Penn State being the largest. Dan’s professionalism at Ohio State was held in high regards with colleagues across the country. He served as a leader for several major national associations, and received prestigious rewards from these associations as well as The Ohio State University.
When thinking about his most fond memory of his undergraduate days, Dan noted the way in which Delta Sig allowed him and others to become more involved in the campus communities. Since Dan took advantage of the extracurricular activities OSU had to offer, it’s difficult for him to pin-point one specific memory.
Dan’s advice to Delta Sig undergraduates is not to tip-toe through life; challenge yourself and take risks – ultimately, try to make a difference in the world.
Since Dan has retired, he owns his own consulting business working with alumni associations and firms who work with alumni associations.
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