Beta Theta Pi - University of Texas

Page 3 Being a part of the Building the Future of Texas Beta campaign has given Will a chance to reconnect with many of his brothers, and he encourages all alumni to get involved and contribute to the renewed success of the Chapter. "We all have a chance to be part of creating a solid experience for 40 to 50 young men coming into Beta at Texas every year, to help mold each of them into being the best they can be. It is especially timely for alumni of my era, since we may not have another chance to be part of something big for Beta and to give something back that we believe will be meaningful for years to come." Will and his wife, Toby, live in Dallas, and have two sons, Rusty and Stephen, both of whom are married and have two daughters. You can contact Will at wjordan@jjcmlaw.com. JOHN WRIGHT '02 EXCITED TO GIVE BACK TO BETA OMICRON H aving grown up in a small town in Texas, John Wright '02 did not know much about fraternities before college. Even after attending a few recruitment events, John had no intention of joining the Greek community at the University of Texas. "Everyone sounded the same until I met the Betas," John says. "I knew very quickly that was where I belonged." John got a chance to experience the strong bond for himself after he became a member. He says he learned what brotherhood truly is, and he will never be able to explain the connection he has with his pledge class. John was involved in the leadership aspect of Greek life, serving in many roles, including president, vice president, and secretary. "Taking on leadership roles in the Chapter naturally came next, as I wanted to help guide the Chapter in the right direction. The reason for leadership should always be for the betterment of those you are leading. That perspective has remained a guiding principle for me as I have progressed personally and professionally. My time in Beta helped me realize that passion and later find that fulfillment in my career," John says. Since earning a degree in economics from UT, John has developed his career and now works for Fidelity Investments as the assistant branch manager for central Texas. John says Beta has had an impact on his career, as he got into financial planning through an internship with one of the Chapter's advisors, Jim Kaighin, Clemson '96. Beta made a difference in John's life outside of his career too, as his first date with his wife, Carrie, was at a Beta function. Since Beta Omicron has shaped who John is in so many ways, he wanted to give back and help the current undergraduates. "My family, friends, and career were all influenced by my time in Beta," John says. "I want to make sure other young men who come to UT with unknown potential get the same opportunities that I was given." John is thrilled that the Chapter has now been reestablished, and the capital campaign has given him a way to get involved again and help with fundraising. He encourages other alumni to contribute to the campaign and make a difference for the active members. "I think we all want to see a strong and thriving Beta Omicron Chapter back at UT. That will not happen without our support. If you valued your Fraternity experience at Beta Omicron, I encourage you to give generously so that another young man can have that same chance." John and his wife, Carrie, live in Austin, Texas. He enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, playing a lot of golf and softball. He also enjoys cooking outdoors, wine/ scotch tastings, and hunting. You can contact John at wright.john.n@gmail.com. i www.linkedin.com/groups/Beta- Theta-Pi-Beta-Omicron-2769748/ about - www.texasbeta.org A s Beta Omicron works to recolonize on the UT campus, it is more important than ever for our alumni to be updated on our progress. Our website will feature regular recolonization updates, so we hope you enjoy seeing Beta Omicron's presence grow. Please take the time to check out the new site, reconnect with your brothers, and update your contact information today. Connect with Texas Beta Online Texas Beta Omicron Has a Bright Future in Store at UT W e had a very impressive and eventful fall semester. Having launched formal recruitment in October, we managed to fill a refounding father roster of more than 50 solid men and establish a firm presence on campus in the process. We presented to many sororities and spirit groups with great success. In fact, a good portion of our recruits came from referrals from sorority women, and our presentations also served to make Beta's presence known among the Greek community. It still blows me away every time I overhear Beta being talked about among a student body as big as UT's, especially in our very first year back on campus! I'm pleased to say that we have started the spring semester off strong as well. Our spring recruitment is in full swing and we've already given out a number of bids. We've hosted recruitment events at places like Top Golf and the Union Underground, we've pulled off some fantastic brotherhood events, and we have plans for numerous social and service events in the works. It's been an honor to be a part of this group of men and getting to know them to the point of calling them brothers—not out of obligation or expectation, but out of genuine fraternal camaraderie. Looking ahead, I'm very optimistic for Texas Beta Omicron. In talking to others about what we're doing here, I've found that Beta is exactly what this campus needs. People find our values refreshing and the excellence of our men speaks for itself. With events like brotherhood retreat and philanthropy opportunities on the immediate horizon, and hopefully a house for our brothers just beyond that, I have not a doubt that our Fraternity will thrive. We have done well to lay the foundation for our Chapter, and now we will continue to build upon it with urgency. Yours in _kai_, Jacob Villarreal '16 Chapter President (210) 833-0146 jacobavillarreal@gmail.com

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