Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Texas

SPRING 2019 Inside Alumnus to Be Honored at Founders' Day ~ p. 2 Alumni Update ~ p. 2 The Skull & Crossbones Society Members ~ p. 3 ΣΦΕ T E X A S A L P H A s U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S S I G M A P H I E P S I L O N A E CCOLAD TEXAS ALPHA IMPLEMENTS NEW SOCIAL GUIDELINES Support the Chapter by Joining the Skull & Crossbones Society H ello from 2500 Pearl! Once again, Texas Alpha enjoyed a great fall semester. We welcomed 47 new members to our chapter, bringing the active chapter count to 189. The young men of the chapter enjoyed a full semester of academics, socials and football, culminating in a large contingency of Texas Alpha invading New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. At the same time, Texas Alpha implemented more stringent social guidelines to ensure that all events are run safely. As you can imagine, the potential for issues with a chapter this size is high. However, I am personally proud of the chapter and its officers for taking very seriously their responsibilities for their brothers in a social environment. The chapter also implemented a new academic advisory structure with increased participation from the older members. We do not have the chapter grades yet but are eagerly awaiting what we hope to be good results. During the semester, we implemented our Residential Learning Center program by inviting Dr. Douglas Garrard, associate dean of students, and Daniel Lui, director of McComb's MBA Career Management, to be the chapter's faculty fellows. Both graciously accepted and are spending time with the chapter. We are lucky to have them and their time. The chapter continued its guest speaker program with UT Regent Steve Hicks '72 giving an inspiring talk with the entire chapter. With the spring comes a new group of officers. We recently returned from the Carlson Leadership Academy in Irving, Texas, where 18 active members joined four alumni for an intense weekend of leadership training. This year will also be the national Conclave in Houston. We are planning some big events since the national chapter will be in our backyard. That brings me to a request to alumni—please join the Skull & Crossbones Society. All funds contributed to the Society go directly to the costs of sending the boys to Carlson, Conclave, the summer Ruck Institute, and speakers for the chapter. We send as many men as we can afford. Your dollars ensure that the chapter continues to produce fine young men ready to lead the state of Texas. Finally, recruitment will start soon. If you know of any legacies or other qualified incoming freshmen, please send us those recommendations. As always, we appreciate your support and your boys. HFF, Lynn Butler '88 Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumnus Appointed as Texas Secretary of State David Whitley '05 Thankful for Texas Alpha Experiences C ollege is a massive time of transition. Leaving behind everything you once knew and were familiar with, such as your hometown, friends, and family, can be a daunting experience. For David Whitley '05, it was important to find a supportive community to make the large campus a more navigable environment. After joining Sigma Phi Epsilon as a spring pledge, he instantly felt at home within the brotherhood. "It means everything in the world to me to have those guys by my side, then and now," David said. Professionally and personally, his life has been positively impacted since joining. David felt the fraternity prepared him well for post-graduate life by teaching him to connect with others and how to listen to someone's personal story—a valuable skill in any industry. He utilized those abilities and was offered a position during his senior year to work part time as a scheduling and advance man in then-Attorney General Greg Abbott's office. "I thought I'd leave after graduation, but I ended up David Whitley '05 and his family with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. (Continued on page 2)

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