REMEMBERING WILL KEIM 1954-2016
22
Real. One of the many words used to describe Will Keim, Pacific ’75. The past Delta Upsilon International Fraternity board member and well-known speaker was known for his genuineness when delivering a message and addressing a problem. It is part of what made him such an impactful motivational speaker and mentor. His conversations were real; he was real. What you saw and heard in his speeches were exactly what you saw in his everyday life. Keim, who passed away June 1, 2016, after a two-year battle with metastasized melanoma, has left a lasting imprint on Delta Upsilon and the interfraternal community. His words and actions not only helped shape policy, his message empowered thousands of students to imagine a
better way to live. Above all, he will be remembered for his character, compassion and authenticity that provided a blueprint on how one should life his/her life.
Born April 3, 1954, Keim earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication Arts & Religious Studies from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, in 1975 and 1980, respectively. A decade later, with a Ph.D. in College Student Services Administration he earned from Oregon State University in 1990, Keim hit the road as a
DELTAU.ORG
motivational speaker and, eventually, an author. His prime audience: college students. Keim spoke to students on a variety of topics, including adjusting to college life, ethical leadership, diversity awareness and communitybuilding, fraternity/sorority life, student involvement, the transition to life after college, and more. For years he was known as the “dean” of DU’s Leadership Institute, and would speak frequently on university campuses, at other fraternity/ sorority conventions, and even to the occasional corporate client. No matter the speech or the audience, the strength of Keim’s message, coupled with his charm and authenticity, would have transformational effect on those who listened.