Kappa Alpha Order - University of Texas

Brothers, Will You Answer the Call? Help Us Reach Our Goal by Year's End OmicrOn Update A PUB L IC A TIO N O F THE UT K A PPA A L PHA HO US ING C O R PO R A TIO N O MIC R O N C HA PTER -THE UNIV ER S ITY O F TEXA S A T A US TIN s F A L L 2018 B oth yesterday and today, our Omicron brotherhood makes us proud. When we look back at our own Kappa Alpha expe- rience, we can see how the friendships, leader- ship, and campus involvement—even decades ago—helped shape who we are now. As collegiate members, the Manor was our home at UT. We lived there together as brothers, as a family. That Omicron family still exists today. As a family, we must fulfill our lifelong commit- ment to Omicron Chapter by supporting the next generation of Kappa Alpha brothers. The under- graduates have seen success so far in 2018. Active membership stands at 175, adding 43 new mem- bers this fall. Focusing on academics has paid off, as Omicron has ranked in the top five for GPA on the UT campus the last two semesters. Renovations are in progress at the Manor and are already being utilized by our undergraduate brothers. Loyal alumni have committed more than $2.1 million in support of the Honoring Our Legacy, Securing Our Future campaign, with new pledges and gifts every week. While our job is not finished, our goal is within reach. If you have not made a contribution or pledge in support of your Kappa Alpha brothers, we are call- ing out to you. It is time to stake your claim in this important project. We want to thank the loyal 207 brothers and friends of Omicron who have sup- ported the campaign to date. However, we need the remaining 1,500-plus alumni to participate in this campaign so we can reach our goal. Fill out the enclosed pledge card or visit our secure link at www.texaska.com/campaign to help us raise the remaining $146,334. As KAs we know what it means to stand together, and this is a situation where everyone needs to participate at some level. Your level depends on your individual circumstances and other commit- ments, but we encourage everyone to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime event. We believe when renovations to the Manor are complete, you will want the satisfaction of knowing that you helped make it happen. Fraternally, D. Kent Lance '80 Campaign Co-Chairman lance@HPItx.com S ome of the fondest college memories at the University of Texas for George Ginn '55 often involved him being the song leader for the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. While the popular tunes are much different today than they were back in the 1950s, George still finds himself grooving to the beat today as the song leader at Tuckahoe Senior Living in Rich- mond, Virginia. "We have a piano player that comes in and plays for us once a week," George said. "I direct the singers, so I still do that. That is a fun thing to do as a retired old man." Along with leading the singing group at the re- tirement home, George often looks back at old scrapbooks from his melodious memories with his Omicron brothers. One of the main high- lights of George's time as the song leader was when Kappa Alpha sang the French national Jim McBride '80 Campaign Co-Chairman jim.mcbride@bluesage.com University of Texas President Greg Fenves (middle right) takes a photo alongside Will Furst '15, John Cannata '15, Kerry Calendar '15, Reed Giesinger '15 and Maverick Terry '15. George Ginn '55 Reflects on Time as Omicron Song Leader PITCH PERFECT (Continued on page 6) George Ginn '55, right, and the Omicron singing group during a competition between all of the fraternities at the University of Texas, which was won by Kappa Alpha.

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