The Passing of Mike Donahoe

mike donahoe, oklahoma kappa ‘62 (Oklahoma)

Director Emeritus

We are saddened by the passing of brother Donahoe. Mike passed at his home at his home on June 16, 2026 with his family at his side.

Mike was a graduate of The University of Oklahoma in 1962 and went on to obtain his JD degree from Georgetown University Law in Washington, District of Columbia. Prior to college, he attended Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He served as a Colonel in the US Air Force and has been involved in the aviation industry as a pilot with 12,000+ hours flight time. He was involved with Wings of Humanity, a non-profit organization that assists underprivileged children with free medical flights to hospitals anywhere in the US for free.  In 2023 Mike was the second recipient of the Bill Weinke Distinguished Alumni Award.

Our condolences to his family and friends. Mike was an integral part of the establishment of the Phoenix SAE Alumni Association, serving on the board and later as Director Emeritus. May he ret in peace in the chapter eternal.

2026 Founder's Day Dinner

The 2026 Founder’s Day banquet was a great success, featuring members of the national Supreme Council, SAE Foundation, undergrad scholarship winners, along with Phoenix area alumni and actives from ASU, U of A and Embry Riddle. Thank you to all who were able to attend and if you missed it this year, we hope to see you next year.

2025 Annual SAE Luncheon

Brother Tom LaMantia (AZ Alpha) presented a very interesting and thought-provoking program, “AI and the Dark Web”. Over 30 brothers, both alumni and undergrads attended the Annual Luncheon at Papago Golf Course.

Brother Bill Wienke Recognized at the National Convention

What an extraordinary weekend in Evanston to witness Bill Wienke’s national reception and awards. The Supreme Council asked him to be part of the model initiation team as the honorary Eminent Supreme Archon.

Then, he was recognized in front of a packed 300 member chapel for the 12 coat of arms paintings and ritual efforts. He was awarded the Devotie Ritual award and Order of Minerva.

Truly an emotional experience to be with our distinguished brother Bill.

Phoenix Alumni Association Represented at the National Convention

SAE-Phoenix Alumni won the Bill Fiscus Outstanding Alumni Association Award at the 169th Anniversary Convention for the fifth time.  Stan Strom was also elected as Chair of the Council of Province Archons (COPA) for this biennium and will continue to serve on the History & Heritage Committee as well as the Permanent Committe on National Laws.  Ray Artigue also received the outstanding new book award.

Other board members attending were Bo Sedestrom and Craig Darrow.

SAE Day of Service 2025 - Children's Cancer Network

Phoenix area SAE alumni were joined by active brothers from Arizona Delta, Embry Riddle, for the 2025 Day of Service at the Children’s Cancer Network. CCN supports children and families throughout their cancer journey with programs and services designed to provide financial assistance, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create an awareness of issues they face related to childhood cancer. Brothers worked at the CCN facility to help prepare for their upcoming fundraising events.

169th Anniversary SAE Founder's Day 2025

Over 100 Valley area SAE alumni and undergraduates ASU, U of A and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University including the 2024 Eminent Archon of the Year from AZ Beta and scholarship recipients attended the dinner at Papago Golf Resort.

Speakers included two Supreme Council members, Jim Skaggs (OK MU) and Joe Richey (PA A-Z), along with new CEO and ESR Steve Mitchell (IN GA) and Foundation CEO Tom Kilian (IN EP).

Annual Luncheon at The University Club of Phoenix

Over thirty brothers, alumni and actives, attended the annual SAE luncheon at the University Club of Phoenix. A panel discussion of “Banking After the Election” featured Bob Cummings, Nebraska Lambda-Pi (University of Nebraska Lincoln), Sr. Vice President PNC Bank and Dillan Knudson, North Dakota Beta (North Dakota State University), Chief Credit Officer Western Alliance Bank moderated by Bo Sederstrom, Arizona Gamma, Northern Arizona University.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott (Arizona Delta) participates in NMDP registry

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott (Arizona Delta) have day of service sharing more about NMDP, their mission, and the patients served. They are another chapter that showcases the true meaning of brotherhood in encouraging growth through education and learning how to talk and share more about NMDP on their campus. Sean, their philanthropy chair, did a great job in coordinating logistics for this event through precise communication, coordinating an educational training, and making sure the event location was secure on campus. All their members attended, and they made sure to have at least 4 – 5 volunteers present at all times during the event. From their efforts, in hosting a one-day event on campus, they were able to add 64 more potential donors to the NMDP registry.