Kappa Alpha Order - University of Texas

2 OMICRON UPDATE As an alumnus, Tony's Omicron roots remain intact and he stays connected with John McStay '62, who organized the KA alumni reunion, John Hartman '61, Rob See '61, and several others through the annual breakfast for Robert E. Lee's birthday in Texas. Tony encourages alumni to connect with brothers old and new and says, "Alumni involvement is a necessity to the future of KA and will allow the chapter to continue to propel down the positive path it's on. A fraternity is only as powerful as its membership, and by contributing your gifts of time, talent, and treasure, KA will continue to thrive and maintain its elite standing on campus." Tony is the chief orthopedic surgeon at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and has enjoyed a fulfilling 37-year career with the organization. "I can't tell you how rewarding it is to be able to take care of children and make an impact in their lives," he says. "It has been an honor managing such a thriving, reputable institution over the years." Tony started a program 35 years ago that involves taking 14 children with amputation disabilities on skiing trips each year. During a trip 20 years ago, he took a fall while skiing and was temporarily paralyzed. Fortunately, Tony was able to instruct someone on how to manipulate his neck so he could retain mobility in his body. Despite going through surgery and having to wear a halo for three months, Tony overcame his injury and is stronger than ever today. As president of the National Organization for Orthopedic Surgeons, Tony has published more than 100 research papers, and conducts lectures all across the nation. He was the recipient of the Award for Distinguished Achievement and the Anson Jones Award for Outstanding Societal Contributions, and was named one of the "Best Doctors in America" in American Health magazine in 1996. When he is not hard at work, Tony takes pleasure in photography, playing the piano, and bicycle racing, in which he has ranked second in Texas for his age group and seventh in the country. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children, Kristen, Susanne, and Carolyn, and 10 grandchildren. You can contact Tony at tony.herring@tsrh.org. Making a Difference, One Patient at a Time (Continued from page 1) CHAPTER BOASTS NEARLY 140 MEMBERS, MAINTAINS STRONG PRESENCE ON CAMPUS I am happy to report that all is well in Austin. Last fall, we welcomed a pledge class of 58 new members, which is one of the largest in chapter history. Since our reinstatement as a KA chapter in late spring of 2014, our membership has increased dramatically. This past year, our chapter boasted a membership of around 140 brothers, compared to the 120 we had the year before. We are confident in our recruitment captains and campus reputation, and believe we can reach over 160 total members by the end of this fall. Our chapter secured a 3.2 GPA last fall, putting us in the top 10 of nearly 30 IFC fraternities. Our goal for 2016-17 academic year is to finish in the top five fraternities. Our secretary is implementing programs to help make this dream a reality, and I have no doubt we will be successful. Many of our members are involved with organizations outside of Greek life and are proving to be leaders in these groups. Our members have a strong presence in Texas Cowboys and Silver Spurs. Brothers are also involved in Young Life and StuMo, which are two spiritual organizations on campus. Our chapter has strong representation in various honor societies, including engineering, business, and liberal arts. The Manor is as beautiful as ever. I am constantly told by sorority women and even members of other fraternities that our house is the best looking one on campus. Last spring, we purchased new furniture for the front rooms and resurfaced the basketball court over the summer. We are at a very unique point in the history of the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order. Rarely can a fraternity quickly ascend to its former glory, but I truly believe we have been presented with that opportunity. We have momentum on campus and are making our presence felt more and more each year. Fraternally, Ben Noel '15 Chapter President (817) 366-5034 ben.noel34@gmail.com Kappa Alpha undergraduates welcome their moms to the chapter house in April. Facebook Search Kappa Alpha Order at the University of Texas

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