Bob Buckley, Mizzou '80, always knew he was meant to live in North Carolina—it just took him a while to get there. Now a seasoned news anchor and reporter at FOX8 WGHP, he hosts The Buckley Report, delivering in-depth features on the lives and stories of North Carolinians. But long before he became a trusted voice in local journalism, Buckley was a young student at the University of Missouri, discovering both his passion for storytelling and the lifelong brotherhood of Delta Sigma Phi

Finding His Place in Delta Sigma Phi

Growing up in Chicago, Buckley came from a family with deep roots at Notre Dame, a university without a traditional Greek system. So when he arrived at Mizzou, fraternities weren’t initially on his radar. It was his mother who first suggested he explore them, recognizing something he hadn’t yet considered.

“I was on campus and realized that most of the high achievers were in fraternities,” Buckley said. “Meanwhile, the guys sitting around the dorms doing nothing weren’t.” That realization led him to explore Greek life, and it wasn’t long before he found something different in Delta Sigma Phi. “These guys stood out. I wanted to be part of it.”

Buckley’s time in the Fraternity proved to be transformative. He eventually served as chapter president, even running against his own roommate for the position. That leadership experience helped shape his approach to teamwork and communication—skills that would serve him well in his future career.

A Career in Journalism: The Missouri Mafia Effect

At Mizzou, Buckley benefited from the university’s renowned journalism program, where students gain real-world experience by working at a commercial newspaper and an NBC-affiliated television station. “It’s the only place where you graduate with an actual resume tape that can catch eyes,” he explained. And catch eyes it did—just two days after graduating, Buckley was on his way to North Carolina for his first job as a sportscaster in Greenville.

From there, his career took him to Spokane, Washington, where he became a main sports anchor, then briefly to Las Vegas before returning east to settle in Greensboro. It was there that Buckley transitioned from sports to news, a move that would define his career.

“A new administration came in and told me that, based on research, I was the only reporter in the market that people would stick around to watch,” Buckley said. That prompted his shift to long-form feature stories, leading to The Buckley Report, where he crafts compelling narratives that now air in markets across the country.

Award-Winning Journalism and The Buckley Report

Buckley’s work has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and a prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award. His storytelling shines in investigative and human-interest reporting, such as his coverage of a North Carolina high school runner whose life was changed by a traumatic brain injury.

“She was at track practice when a boy playfully shoved a girl, and she hit her head,” Buckley recounted. “Doctors dismissed it, but over time, her condition worsened. Her family visited over 70 doctors, all saying they didn’t know what was wrong. Finally, they cast a wider net, and I was the one reporter they trusted to tell their story.”

That kind of trust and responsibility defines Buckley’s work. His ability to connect with people and share their experiences in a meaningful way has made The Buckley Report a staple in North Carolina journalism.

Tying It Back to Delta Sigma Phi

Buckley’s journey from Delta Sigma Phi to journalism underscores the lasting impact of the Fraternity’s values—Culture, Harmony, and Friendship. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and telling the stories that matter reflects the very ideals that Delta Sigma Phi instills in its members.

As the Fraternity celebrates its 125th Anniversary, Buckley’s career is a testament to how Delta Sigma Phi brothers continue to make a difference in the world. His story serves as a reminder that the bonds formed in the Fraternity don’t just shape college experiences—they build better men who leave a lasting impact.

For more stories of Delta Sigma Phi brothers in media, check out our Media Men feature in The Carnation. And keep an eye out for The Buckley Report—you just might see the next great story unfold.