Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Texas

Save the Date for Founders' Day/ Alumni Weekend November 1 W Hotel Downtown Austin 6-7 p.m. Cocktails 7-9 p.m. Dinner and Presentation $60 per person Dinner is free for Skull & Crossbones members and guests ΣΦΕ A CCOLADE T EXA S A LPHA s U N IVE R SITY OF TE X A S SIGM A PHI E PSILON Sigma Phi Epsilon Education Foundation of Texas Alpha P.O. Box 22025 Houston, TX 77227-2025 Address Service Requested RSVP to Doug Jones '05 jones@hpitx.com Honorees: Alpha Achievement Award Recipients Steve Worster '71 and Tom Dunning '65 Reunion Classes '63 and '83 www.texassigep.org ATTENTION: This newsletter is intended for alumni, undergraduates, and parents. If your son is still attending the University of Texas, he will receive a copy at the chapter house. If he has graduated, please send us his permanent address to update our records. Thank you. Alumnus Achieves Professional A and Personal Success Trent Watkins '98 Reconnects with Texas Alpha ll men have different reasons for choosing to join a fraternity. For Trent Watkins '98, it was at the urging of his father, Gary Watkins '69, who believed Sigma Phi Epsilon would enhance Trent's college experience. Joining the chapter turned out to be one of the best decisions he ever made. "I believe being a member of Texas Alpha helped me mature during my college years. It provided opportunities to develop leadership skills and introduced me to a tremendous group of peers that have helped me grow socially, intellectually and professionally," he said. "I very much appreciate the opportunities I had in the fraternity. It helped me gain confidence and interpersonal skills that I have been able to put to use throughout my professional career." Trent has exceled professionally since graduating and credits much of his success to his foundation with Sigma Phi Epsilon. "During my latter years of college, I was fortunate enough to be able to consult with brothers and alumni who were pursuing a variety of career and educational paths. Being able to collaborate with them aided me in making the decision to attend law school and, later, to pursue my current career." He currently serves as president of Concordis Senior Living LLC, which develops and manages senior living communities. He and his former neighbor founded the organization in 2010 in central Florida and are expanding rapidly. Trent is also a Sonic Drive-In franchisee and owns seven Sonic Drive-In restaurants in central Florida. He attributes his experiences as a member of Texas Alpha with giving him the confidence and initiative necessary to take on the leadership roles he has assumed since graduating from college. Trent joined the Alumni Volunteer Committee (AVC) and the Texas Alpha Housing Corporation in 2011 and visits the house regularly. He has been impressed with the growth of the chapter and the responsibility of the active members. "The number of student members in the chapter has increased significantly since my time in college. I have been very impressed by the maturity, intelligence and leadership skills of the student members I have been fortunate enough to meet during these last few years." He enjoys staying in touch with brothers and participates in a SigEp hunting trip every winter and fishing trip every summer. A few years ago, he and his wife helped sponsor a holiday party at the chapter house, which included many other SigEp alumni and helped to raise more than $5,000 for the fraternity's philanthropy—The Boys and Girls Club. He encourages brothers who have lost touch with the chapter to reconnect, reminding them of the positive impact that Texas Alpha had on all of their lives. Trent lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Amanda, and their three children: Wyatt, Rhett, and Hattie. His brother, Travis Watkins '03, joined the chapter in 1998, and he hopes his sons will continue the family legacy in the future. In his free time, Trent enjoys fishing, hunting, and family travels. You can contact him at trentwatkins@gmail.com.

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