The Beta-Nu Chapter of
KAPPA SIGMA
The University of Kentucky
As an undergraduate, Brother Stuckert was extremely involved with both Beta-Nu and on campus. As a Kappa Sigma he served as Grand Procurator and Grand Master, and spoke at the Biannual Conclave in Denver, 1959.
He was also involved with Keys, Lances, Lamp & Cross, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Phi Tau Sigma Me- chanical Engineering Honorary. He served as Business Manager for the Kentucky Engineering Magazine and was the student Government Association Representative from the College of Engineering. James graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 and also received an MBA in June of 1961.
Mr. Stuckert’s first employment was with Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana. In December 1962, Mr. Stuckert joined W.L. Lyons & Company. He became a partner of the then merged J.J.B.Hilliard, W.L. Lyons & Company in December 1968. He was responsible for equity trading at Hilliard. Lyons prior to assuming the roles of Chairman and CEO in December 1995. He has served on the Board of Directors of Hilliard Lyons, Inc. since its incorporation on December 1, 1972 until his retirement as Chairman of the Board on December 31, 2003.
In 1976, Mr. Stuckert was elected to serve as President of the University of Kentucky National Alumni Association and still remains on the Board of Directors. In 1980, he received the Distinguished Service Award for Exceptional Service to the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.
Brother Stuckert served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Kentucky Development Council. He was the Chair of the Capital Campaign recently concluded, which raised over $1 Billion for the University of Kentucky. He also chaired the Corporate and Foundation Committee for the new William T. Young Library Campaign in the early 1990s. Mr. Stuckert is a UK Presidential Fellow.
Mr. Stuckert was inducted to the Alumni Hall of Fame at the University of Kentucky Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics in February 1997. He was also elected to the University of Kentucky Hall Of Distinguished Alumni in May 2000, and was inducted into the School of Engineering Hall of Fame in April 2002. Among other honors Mr. Stuckert was the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Kentucky in May 2004.
As of July 1, 2009, Mr. Stuckert was appointed to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees for a term of 6 years. He served as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, and as Chair of the Finance Committee for five years. He also served as Chair of the University of Kentucky Presidential Search Committee in 2010 and 2011 resulting in the hiring of President Eli Capilouto effective July 1, 2011.
Brother Stuckert has remained active as a Kappa Sigma. He was involved with the founding Kappa Sigma Chapters at Western Kentucky in 1964 as well as Louisville in 1984. In July 2008 he received the Greater Cause Distinguished Alumnus Award. He credits the fraternity with helping the development of his social, leadership and brotherhood skills. “I absolutely loved my pledge class, second semester of the 1955-1956 school year!”
And he advises: “Study hard, work hard, have fun, and learn to spend time wisely. “Pay Attention, be involved, and always be part of the solution – not the problem. Be a positive influence and appreciate what you have.”