Gamma Sigma Alumni Newsletter

“A man of honor feels humbled himself when he cannot help humbling others.” - General Robert E. Lee

It is a joy and privilege to once again address you all through our newsletter. I hope you have all have had an amazing year! As we come to the end of another prosperous semester for our beloved chapter, I wish to share some developments with you. First and foremost, it is my privilege to announce that the Gamma Sigma Chapter, in its wisdom, has elected new officers for 2009. On November 16, 2008, Brother Seth Ray Breeding (Childress, Tx) was elected to serve as the next Number I, Brother Alex Andrew Wright (Cameron, Tx) as the next Number II, and Brother Walter Justin Swinhoe (Wichita Falls, Tx) as the next Number III. We wish them all the best luck and support over the next year.

As we have elected new officers, I felt it important to share with you some developments from the national office which are transforming the Order throughout the nation. First of all, beginning in January all chapters will be required to sign up with Omega Financial, Inc. This organization will be in charge of collecting all of our dues and assessments from now on, for a small fee of course. Secondly, the national office has mandated that starting with this semester, all chapters are required to have a 2.7 GPA overall. For clarification, all members are only required to have a 2.5 GPA to serve as an elected/appointed officer or committee chairman; however, if the entire chapter average is not above a 2.7 GPA consequences will ensue. The chapter has implemented scholarship programs which have ensured our academic success in the past, and hopefully will do so in the future. Last semester, we were well above the 2.7 GPA mark and look to perform better this semester. Finally, it is disappointing for me to share with you, but our brothers at the Gamma Omega chapter (Midwestern State University) have been suspended indefinitely due to alcoholic hazing incidents. The active brothers of our chapter wish to express to you alumni brothers our unwavering support for a non-hazing chapter in order to ensure our stay on the campus of West Texas A&M University. We ask that each and everyone of you help us in this regard because if the Executive Director’s, Larry Wiese, chapter can be suspended we know that we can too!

It has been my honor and privilege to serve as this chapter’s Number I for the past year! We have had tremendous success in all facets of chapter life from chapter operations, intramural sports, recruitment, finances, academics, and campus involvement. The chapter has new officers who I know will help to improve upon this success. Thank you for your continued and future involvement with the active chapter, God speed!

Convivium is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Alumni Banquet Hall on the WT campus. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. Our guest speaker this year is Roy Hunter, a charter member of Gamma Sigma. This Convivium marks the beginning of many events culminating with our FIFTIETH YEAR CELEBRATION of the founding of Gamma Sigma. Please make your plans now to attend. An RSVP is required for this year’s event.

The following is a list of the newly initiated members, their hometown, and their major.

Homecoming 2008

The brothers of Gamma Sigma worked tediously with the lovely ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha for the theme of “Bringing Home the Herd” for homecoming 2008. After working hard every day for a month, the combination of KA & ZTA placed second.

Interfraternity

Brother Jeff Mueller was elected last year to be the secretary of WTAMU’s chapter of IFC. This year, he was chosen to represent the chapter as IFC Chief Justice, a position which yields significant influence. Congratulations are in order for Brother Mueller!

KA’s On and Around Campus

Whether it be intramurals, taking part in sororities fundraisers, or traveling to Amarillo to help out Evelyn Rivers with her Christmas Project, the brothers are always busy! This year, KA excelled in intramural football. With the help of a few key new members, the team fell only 2 games short of the championship. Every Year, the ladies of Delta Nu Delta host their “65 Roses” volleyball tournament, the proceeds going towards Cystic Fibrosis.

Just like every year, the KA’s participated, and this year, won by a landslide, winning first place without suffering one defeat. A few weeks later, RHA( Residence Hall Association) hosted their annual mud volleyball event known as “Oozefest.” Once again, the brothers of Gamma Sigma won first place without losing one match! Every Tuesday, the brothers travel to Amarillo to help out Evelyn Rivers at her Christmas workshop handing out coats to the less fortunate, and at times helping remodel houses.