Donor Profile – John Cooper, UCLA ’58
By: Will Harris, Advancement Officer
Giving Back from the Beginning
Brother John Cooper’s, UCLA ’58, connection to Phi Delta Theta began early, both in age and in impact. “I was inspired to make my first gift to Phi Delta Theta after I graduated as an enthusiastic alum anxious to contribute to the organization that helped guide me so much as a young man,” he shared. “I started at UCLA at the age of sixteen.”
Finding the Right Brotherhood
“As a young sixteen-year-old, I liked the group of men at the Phi Delt house more than any other fraternal organization I visited,” John recalled. “They were my type of guys.” That sense of fit and belonging became especially important as he adjusted to life at a large university at a young age.
Support When It Mattered Most
“Unfortunately, I was too young to be starting at a large state university, so I found myself on academic probation after my first semester,” John said. “This after twelve consecutive years of straight A grades throughout my academic life.” During that time, the encouragement of his brothers proved essential. “The brothers at the Phi Delt house helped put me back on track and to graduate with a reasonable record.”
Learning from Those Who Came Before
John credits much of his growth to older members of the chapter who brought perspective and discipline. “We had a number of brothers who had returned to school after serving in the Korean War, whose average age was probably twenty-five,” he shared. “Those men were serious about their studies and their play and guided me in the right direction with their experience and good advice.”
A Lasting Sense of Family
When reflecting on what shaped his desire to give back, John points to an enduring feeling rather than a single moment. “I don’t remember any specific instance that jumps to mind, just the feeling that I was among family and people who truly cared about me and who ensured that I would not fall behind socially or academically.”
Preparing Future Leaders
“I feel that the world is becoming a smaller place every year,” John said. Drawing from his professional life, he explained, “My experience as an international banker who lived and worked in the US, Latin America, Europe, and Asia over a forty-year career led me to believe that the US needs engaged young people in the international business field in order to maintain our position of leadership in the world.”
That belief guided how he chose to give back. “Education being the great differentiator caused me to think of a scholarship as the best way that I could contribute to that effort,” he said. “The result was going to be in my mind the best combination of the spirit and the character building of Phi Delta Theta with the international business that unites and lubricates daily relations among the countries of the world.”
Why Philanthropy Matters
“I always thought of the university as the place where one learns how to learn, which would then be one’s lifelong activity as an adult,” John reflected. “Whether one donates to the school or to an organization that shaped one’s school experience, such as Phi Delta Theta, is a matter of choice.”
Because of the influence Phi Delta Theta had on his own life, his decision was clear. “Since I was so young as I entered UCLA, I felt that Phi Delta Theta had a more than average impact and influence on my life, and I would like to share that with other young men as best I could,” he said. “I hope my experience will have that impact on the scholarship awardees in the future.”
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
“As I mentioned, the university prepares one to learn for the rest of one’s life,” John shared. “Phi Delta Theta prepared me to actually live my life in the right way and to think of the future, not just the present.”
As he reflects on the later stages of his life, his perspective is rooted in stewardship and gratitude. “When we reach the later stage of our lives, all we can do is pass on our experiences and what we have learned to future generations in the hope that it will make life better for them and the world,” John said. “That was the case with me, and I am grateful for it.”
The Impact in Action: A Shared Global Perspective
Brother Cooper created the Cooper Family International Business Scholarship in 2025. That scholarship recently came to life with its first recipient, Kyle McGovern, Vanderbilt ’27, whose background closely reflects the global perspective that shaped John’s career. Kyle shared that he was “born and raised in London, England, for seven years,” an experience that fostered an early appreciation for international travel and multicultural learning. As a member of the Tennessee Alpha Chapter at Vanderbilt University, Kyle described the Fraternity as having “profound impacts on my social, academic, and professional life,” and noted that the scholarship will serve as an important stepping stone toward his long-term career goals in international business.
That connection is especially meaningful given John’s forty-year career as an international banker, including time in Kyle’s hometown of London. Kyle’s academic focus on international business and economic history, combined with his professional experience across wealth management, consulting, data analysis, and private equity, reflects the same belief that education and global engagement are essential for leadership. Through the Cooper Family International Business Scholarship, John’s experiences and values are being passed forward, strengthening The Bond by connecting generations of Phi Delta Theta members through a shared commitment to learning, service, and a global perspective.
