When Jim Broadhurst ’65 was rushing, he was immediately drawn to Phi Kappa Sigma. He loved the beautiful old stone house and the history it carried. The location was conveniently a block away from campus, which was a nice perk. But most of all it was the members themselves that made him decide that he wanted to be a Phi Kap “Skull”.
Phi Kappa Sigma Philanthropy Gave Jim Broadhurst ’65 a Community Appreciation;
Now He Gives Back as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Jim Broadhurst ’65
updated 11/14/2007
When Jim Broadhurst ’65 was rushing, he was immediately drawn to Phi Kappa Sigma. He loved the beautiful old stone house and the history it carried. The location was conveniently a block away from campus, which was a nice perk. But most of all it was the members themselves that made him decide that he wanted to be a Phi Kap “Skull”.
“I liked the brothers a lot,” Jim says. “There were great men in that house. They were able to balance getting good academics and having great parties. I liked the combination of those things that the fraternity had to offer.” Phi Kappa Sigma was well known for its toga parties, which were not as common as they are today. And the big room was well suited for dances. Jim loved to dance. “That’s where I learned to do a split on the dance floor,” Jim says, recalling the fun they had. “The mixers were always with the best sororities.
Suzy Williams was a sophomore Delta Gamma and Panhellenics member charged with leading freshman women around campus and introducing them to fraternity and sorority life. Jim was the Beta (Vice President), and was busily preparing the house for the group’s arrival. “I actually met her in the lobby of the fraternity house, and we started dating shortly after that,” Jim says. “That’s probably my fondest memory.” Their first date was on the golf course, as Suzy was the captain of the Penn State golf team.
Jim lived in the house for two and a half years, and most of that time he roomed with Bill Chapas ’65, who remains a good friend to this day. “Bill had a great sports car when we were at school—an Austin-Healy,” Jim recalls, noting that Bill even loaned him the car occasionally for weekend dates. One of Jim’s favorite memories is of playing bridge with Bill, Bob Then ’65, Don Barnes ’65, and Tony Ryan ’66 in the early morning hours after a party.
Jim wasn’t sure which profession would suit him best. After changing his realm of study a few times, Jim graduated with a degree in Economics in the college of Liberal Arts. He began his career with PNC Bank as a commercial banker. In 1973 he joined Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, a regional food service company headquartered in Pittsburgh, of which he is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The company currently has over 200 facilities in Pennsylvania and neighboring states, which include 80 family restaurants, 40 college/corporate dining facilities and 80 to 90 senior dining facilities. All three of his sons are in the business, and he looks forward to turning more responsibilities over to them in the coming years.
Jim’s philanthropic experience in Phi Kappa Sigma made quite an impression on him, and he continued to offer his help and services to many organizations in his adult years. Jim was Chair of several boards in the Pittsburgh area, including the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the United Way of Allegheny County, and The Pittsburgh Foundation. Ten years ago, Jim realized he hadn’t paid homage to his alma mater. When the Grand Destiny Campaign emerged, he decided the time was now. “I thought, ‘You know, I haven’t done a lot with Penn State, and this could be a way I could give back,” Jim says. He became a Campaign Chair for the effort and helped it raise $1.4 Billion in seven years. He is now the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. His involvement in the university brings him back to campus more than ever, and he enjoys getting reacquainted with the campus and the people. “I think the most rewarding aspect is working closely with the President [of the university] on important strategic initiatives and certainly supporting and sharing his vision to make the university the best it can be.”
Jim notes that though they don’t currently have a chapter on campus, he would love to see his fellow alumni help make that happen. “We’re hoping it will come back on campus in the next year or so,” he notes. “We have a beautiful house that needs a lot of work, but with the Brothers’ interest and support, we can come back and pursue a great recruiting class.”
In his spare time, Jim loves to travel, play golf and enjoy his grandchildren. As his career begins to wind down, he looks forward to spending more time with his five grandchildren and visiting their home in Florida when they can. He hopes to get back in contact with friends he hasn’t seen for a while now that everyone’s daily schedules will become less hectic. He would also like to continue his strong involvement at Penn State. “We have begun a new “For the Future” campaign that aims to raise about $2 Billion. I hope to continue helping the university with all the good things they’re doing and helping them achieve their goal of becoming the best student-centered university in the country.”
