The Dons Social Club History (Pre-ATO Zeta Mu chapter)

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.

Official Acceptance. Subsequently, Sam Houston State put this group on probation, citing certain criteria on which they would be judged. In less than one year they had fulfilled their obligations. Their petition was accepted by the college and the club became an official member of the Inter-Fraternal Council during the fall semester of 1955. The period of late 1955 and early 1956 is not clearly defined, as each person seemed to have slightly different recollections.

Presidents. During the formative days Bill Philleaux had served as chairman of the group, so it was sort of a natural move for him to be chosen as the first president when the club became official. Charley Hodges was elected Vice President, Truman Dickens was designated Club Historian, Larry Kozielski was appointed Club Treasurer, and Bobby Williams was Club Photographer. One story indicated that the first financial activity involved all the members tossing their loose change on the table to form what became the Club’s financial status. Supposedly Kozielski maintained the original financial report on a paper napkin from their favorite restaurant.

Listed below are the names of the various presidents and the semesters that each served.

1954 was a developmental period. There were no presidents.

1955 Bill Philleaux was president for the spring and fall semesters

Exact date unknown but Dons officially started during the fall semester of 1955

1956 Bill Philleaux was president during the spring semster; Charley Hodges during fall semester

1957 Joe Curtis was president during the spring and fall semesters

1958 Jack Richards was president during the spring semester; Maurice Simmons was president during the fall semester

1959 Buddy Benton was president during the spring semester; Randy Edens was president during the fall semester

1960 Randy Edens was president during the spring semester; Eddie Warren was president during the fall semester

The Dons officially became the ATOs on February 20, 1960.