president

Zeta Mu ATO brother John R. Thomas, founder and president of Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg (TX), was recently interviewed by San Antonio Magazine. He had an optimistic forecast for this year’s wildflower harvest.

Fellow ATOs…

Well… The news finally arrived. We all knew this email would be coming someday, but always wanted it to arrive much later than sooner. We have lost our Brother Bill Philleaux, the first president of our beloved Dons Social Club, and one of the primary factors in getting the club established at Sam Houston. His wife, Ann, has described the last few hours in her email below. Having learned of what Bill was going through, and the pain that he was enduring, as crude as it may sound, he is probably better off and will no longer have to deal with all those pains, for he is in the hands of the good Lord.

Obviously plans for his services have not been announced, but as soon as I learn of them I will pass them along.

Love & respect to one and all,

A W

This article by Kolby Flowers originally appeared in The Houstonian, May 3, 2011.

In the aftermath of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden’s death, new debates have emerged.

“What happens next for the ‘War on Terror?’”

ATOs Shane Rankin & Mike Ritchie”Americans understand the costs of war,” President Barack Obama said in a press conference Sunday night. “Yet, as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when our people have been killed.”

“On nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al-Qaida’s terror: Justice has been done.”

However, bin Laden’s death does not mark the end of the U.S. effort.

“There’s no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us,” Obama said. “We must, and will remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

2011 Chapter officers - Texas Zeta Mu Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega. Ruh Rah Rega!

This past weekend the Zeta Mu chapter hosted a Garage Sale to help raise money for the chapter. It was held in the lodge parking lot and we were able to raise $309.75, which is very respectable for a few hours worth of work. I would like to thank David “Shane” Rankin for putting this event together and all the work he put into this. Nominations and Elections were held this last meeting for Executive Board positions whom will begin their duties after returning from Winter Break.

A Funeral Mass for Orin N. Covell, 64, of Richmond, Texas will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond where Fr. Howard Drabek will officiate the services. Interment will follow at Morton Cemetery in Richmond.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2010;at Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Chapel in Rosenberg.

Orin was born February 12, 1946 in Rosenberg to Milton Orin and Falba May (Buchholz) Covell. He served 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 463rd Engineer Detachment (Fire Fighters) and attained the rank of Sgt/E5 as a crew chief. Orin served as Mascot of the Richmond Fire Department in 1952 and has been an active volunteer member for over 30 years.

SHSU’s chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity was recently recognized during the organization’s national awards ceremony. With chapter members are (from left) Walt Hughes, national president of ATO; Orin Covell, president the ATO alumni association; Colton Jackson, SHSU chapter treasurer; Josh Hawley, SHSU chapter vice president; Price Howard, SHSU chapter president; and Wynn Smiley, ATO fraternity CEO.

SHSU’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity was recognized for its “True Merit” during the organization’s national awards ceremony, held in Orlando, Fla., on Aug. 7.

“The True Merit cup is awarded to the chapters that achieve a very high and effective level of operations, excel at recruitment, community and campus involvement and who’s members embody true merit and high level of excellence in their daily activities,” said Brandon Cooper, ATO chapter adviser and assistant director for Student Activities.

July 14, 2010

Dear Alumni brothers,

Thanks to the generous support through the Zeta Mu Alumni Association, brothers David Kelly, Zach Crowder and myself, attended the May 17-22 session of LeaderShape Institute in Gallant, Alabama. This was the first time any delegates from the Zeta Mu Chapter had attended a LeaderShape conference since re-chartering in 2003.

The following information is courtesy brother A.W. Radle who compiled this data for a Dons Social Club 50th anniversary booklet in 2005.

1 Dons became an official club on the campus of Sam Houston State Teachers College during fall semester of 1955.
2 Dons became ATOs on February 20, 1960.
3 A total of 114 young men became official members of the club during its life span.

The Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chapter at Sam Houston State University will observe its 50th anniversary Founder’s Day on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Alumni from the Dons and ATO will gather at the ATO Lodge at 1411 Nottingham Road in Huntsville, Texas from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The Founder’s Day activities will begin at 1 p.m. with a Zeta Mu Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting during which alumni business and undergraduate chapter business will be discussed. All interested parties are invited to attend the meeting.