Kappa Alpha Order - University of Texas

Donate to KA This Spring Together We Can Reach Our $2.25 Million Goal 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 S PR ING 2019 T ake a moment to reflect on how many lives the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order has affected over the years. The men who passed through the front doors of the Manor have gone on to do great things for their families and communities. As undergraduate members, we learned the values of respect, friendship, leadership, and what it means to be part of a true brotherhood. The Manor was a place we all came together to utilize and further expand on those traits and skills. We are so truly thankful for the 219 alumni who have helped us raise $2,120,136 toward our $2.25 million goal. But we're going to need the support of even more alumni to help make our dream a reality. To date, we have $129,864 left to raise to meet our fundraising goal for the Honoring Our Legacy, Securing Our Future campaign. Our intention is to be debt free by 2025, so it is imperative that we meet, at a minimum, our fundraising goal. If you have yet to donate, now is the time! If 150 brothers would make a commitment of $1,000, we would not only meet, but surpass our goal. And remember, gifts can be spread out over a five-year period. This is an opportunity many brothers have taken advantage of. You can set up your pledge online at texaska.com/ campaign and payments will be deducted from your account according to YOUR time frame. If you are among those who have donated, we want to thank you. Without your support, we wouldn't be where we are today. But today, we're asking for your help once again. Please consider contacting a brother to encourage their support of the campaign. Or consider adding another year onto your pledge or increasing your donation by 20 percent. Each and every dollar to the campaign helps. We are so thankful for our Kappa Alpha membership and hope you will join us in honoring Omicron Chapter with a financial contribution. Fraternally, D. Kent Lance '80 Campaign Co-Chairman lance@hpitx.com Jim McBride '80 Campaign Co-Chairman jim.mcbride@bluesage.com S teve Tomson '81 was recently a 2018 inductee to the Walsh Province Court of Honor and is a proud Crimson and Gold Society member. It is quite clear that Kappa Alpha has continued to mean a great deal to Steve since he graduated from the University of Texas. One of the many ways that he has shown his support for the Omicron Chapter is by giving to the capital campaign and encouraging others to do the same. "I'm grateful, past and present, for my Kappa Alpha experiences. The various leadership roles that I enjoyed while in Omicron set in motion a positive, constructive, rewarding transition in my life." Steve said. "Serving as a leader with, and while surrounded by, some of the best that the UT Greek system had to offer helped to define the man and business champion I am today." As general manager of sales and marketing for Jack Henry and Associates (NASDAQ-JKHY), Steve has a firm grasp on the keys to success for fundraising. While Steve understands that it is difficult to make any financial commitment, he hopes that you will not only reflect on your personal KA experience but also consider the challenges that today's undergraduates are facing. "I think there's an inaccurate profiling of the Greek system. I believe it to be unjustified and destructive. There is a level of political correctness in this environment that improperly, unnecessarily, and unreasonably creates challenges for these young men that we didn't have to overcome at that point in our lives nearly 40 years ago," Steve said. "In that sense what I'm trying to do is appeal to the guys that are my friends, my fraternal brothers, and say, 'Do what we can to help these gentlemen out since they have a tougher societal hill to climb than did we.'" The experience of pledging Omicron was one that almost didn't happen for Steve. He wasn't all that interested in Greek life prior to college, but his father, a former Greek officer himself, suggested that he go through recruitment to see what different fraternities had to offer. Steve, along with a core group of his friends from Richardson High School, plus those from around the state with whom he connected during rush, recognized a sense of cohesiveness among the KA actives. Being a part of this camaraderie closed the deal for him. That connection hasn't wavered over the last four decades, as Steve has enjoyed sharing meaningful events, countless laughs, and making memories with his brothers. Steve Tomson '81 Encourages KA Alumni to Stand Up for Omicron Undergraduates (Continued on page 4)

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