Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

What made Phi Psi at UT the right fraternity for you? I got to know members from all over the state and a few from out-of-state. They were all young men seriously interested in making the fraternity work for everyone, serious about their future but also wanted to enjoy the college and fraternity experience. They were individuals I could and did become close friends with. I have always been glad I joined Phi Psi; it was the best part of my college experience. The fraternity moved into the newest and best fraternity house on campus at 2401 Longview in fall 1957. I was one of the lucky ones to be the first to move into the new house. We were very successful in rush, pledging some of the best incoming students. How would you describe the impact Texas Alpha has had on your life? I gained many lifelong friends, learned social manners from our housemother at fraternity meals, learned how to interact with all personalities and gained growth and confidence in myself. What inspires you give back to Texas Alpha? I want new members to experience the same benefits I received from moving into a new house in 1957. It made all the difference in rush, the spirit of members and the overall good experience of Texas Alpha. Do you get together with your Texas Alphan brothers? It was always great to see members from my time in the fraternity [at Founders Day weekends] and catch up with what everyone is doing. I would usually bring several Phi Psi brothers from Houston and we would get together with a couple of brothers from Austin. I still get together with Bill Matthews '58 to sail and with George Ramsey '59 to bird hunt. Do you have any career highlights you would like to share? I was proud to be honored by the fraternity a couple of years ago for my government service. After graduating law school, I became an FBI agent before joining the District Attorney's Office in Houston, where I served as a chief prosecutor and helped form the Special Crimes Bureau. I later joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston where I served for years and was appointed U.S. Attorney by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. I later practiced criminal law and worked on several high-profile cases. Is there anything about your family that you would like to share? I have been happily married for 42 years to Patty Hair, a trial lawyer in Houston. We have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. Ron lives in Houston, Texas, and can be reached at ronwoodslaw@aol.com TEXAS ALPHANS THROUGH THE AGES ALPHA AVALANCHE | TEXAS ALPHA | PHI KAPPA PSI | | FALL EDITION 2023 Ron Woods '57 120 years young " I have always been glad I joined Phi Psi; it was the best part of my college experience."

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