Transforming Lives: Tejas Club

In 1946, the Tejas Club was formed by 16 World War II veterans and three students. The club quickly developed as a positive influence on campus and shaped the lives, attitudes and the way the members viewed friendship. The Tejas Club later became Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The Hoss & Boss Reunions have rekindled the members' bond of friendship. In 2003, at the suggestion of Frank Turner, the men chose to establish an endowed scholarship in memory of the deceased Tejas Club-Sig Ep members. Individual donors and a Blacklands Train Excursion contributed funds to reach the initial $10,000 endowment.

Today, thanks to the generosity of so many Tejas and Sig Ep brothers and their families, what began as a $10,000 endowment now boasts more than $300,000.

Tejas Club members Jace Carrington, John Moss, Dick Rothwell and Frank Turner recently enjoyed the privilege of seeing the result of their benevolence through the life
of scholarship recipient Rebecca Ann Steward.

“My husband lost his job a year and a half ago and it drastically changed our financial situation,” Rebecca said. “Without the Tejas Club-Sig Ep scholarship it would have been very difficult to finish my education.”

For more information on how you can support students like Rebecca through an endowed scholarship, contact Alicia Wittkopf, director of advancement services, at [email protected] or (903) 468-3020.