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ST. MARY'S OBTAINS CHARTER
Matthew Sisneros, St. Mary's '12
 The re-chartering of the Texas Theta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon represents a four-year journey for the St. Mary’s SEC. The chartering banquet attested to the effort and determination of the chapter to enter a new phase. Members are striving to make the chapter the best one on campus through service, academics, a tight brotherhood, and strong manpower.
“They’ve done a spectacular job,” said AVC President, Brett Kerr, St. Mary’s ’00, "to do what they’ve accomplished in such a short time.”
SigEp at St. Mary’s originated in 1948, when a cordial split from Rho Beta Gamma Fraternity resulted in eight men forming the Order of the Barons, a men’s social club. During the early 1960s, the Barons had desires to nationalize their local organization, and in 1965 they became a colony of Sigma Phi Epsilon. On January 31, 1970, the Texas Theta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was installed. The Texas Theta chapter was strong within the Greek community for over 33 years, with success in academics and manpower. In 2003, their charter was revoked, and the re-colonization efforts began in 2005. The chapter was re-chartered on September 18, 2010.
| St. Mary's: Quick Facts |
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Original Founding Date: 1970
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Current Manpower: 35
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Varsity Sports: Basketball, golf, soccer
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Total Lifetime Members: 552
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In addition to hosting the customary chartering banquet, the chapter planned a full weekend celebrating this momentous occasion. On Friday, a group of alumni hosted a BBQ for the undergraduates and the alumni to hang out and talk about the chapter. Many attendees were brothers who initiated the re-colonization process four years earlier. On Saturday morning, the chapter attended a transition retreat, facilitated by two members of the Headquarters staff. Michael Repasky, Ohio State ‘08, the chapter services director, and Eric Fettner, Illinois State ‘10, the regional director in Texas, led the retreat. It was a fun, high-energy morning, as the chapter discussed the future of the chapter and set goals for the upcoming year.
The chapter held the banquet at the Omni Hotel in San Antonio. Attendees included 35 undergraduates and about 30 alumni and guests. The installation officer was National Board of Directors Grand Secretary Bert Harris, Florida ‘74. Other noted guests included District Governor Bill McCausland, Texas-Austin ’83, and Headquarters staff representatives Repasky and Fettner. The chapter had an outstanding keynote address from Alumnus Rosie Alvarado, St. Mary’s ’96,who is not only an alumnus of the chapter, but the current frontrunner in the race for the San Antonio District Attorney seat.
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