Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Features
Bob "Daddy-O" Wade (Tau '61)

Kappa Sigs are loaded with legends, but none more colorful than Bob "Daddy-O" Wade. Most famous for his oversized sculptures of Texas symbols, "Daddy-O" is an artist noted for "helping shape the 1970s Texas Cosmic Cowboy counterculture."

As featured Alumni Speaker at the Kappa Sig Lodge on September 26, Wade regaled the Tau Chapter with stories from his college days as a Kappa Sig in the early 60s.

As fate would have it, his Alumni Speaker appearance marked the golden anniversary of a life-changing event. "It's an honor to be here on the 50th anniversary of my 1961 pledge class date with guys like 'Mother Hagen' McMahon, Nick Kralj, Joe Longley and many other great and successful characters," said Wade.

Wade recalled that a high school friend's older brother encouraged him to hook up with the "Sigs" when he got to UT and to "tell them Machine Gun Kelly" sent him.

Arriving from El Paso, Wade's customized hot rod, slicked-back hair and hipster language quickly earned him the lifelong moniker "Daddy-O," given to him by the older Kappa Sigs. "Then they cast me in a skit for the Varsity Carnival playing a native American," said Wade. Bill Wittliff (Tau '59), screenwriter/producer for feature films including Lonesome Dove and The Perfect Storm, was one of the writers. Rife with bawdy humor, the skit raised many eyebrows in the audience. "As planned, we grossed out the sororities," said Wade.

Wade spoke fondly of many lifelong friendships that began at the Kappa Sig house, including with one of his closest friends, Monk White (Tau '61). "Monk and his Fort Worth guys introduced me to country music. I can still hear him singing "There stands the glass."

Much of Wade's artwork is now in the collections of Tau brothers.

"For a guy from isolated El Paso, it's been an unbelievable journey of friendships and networking. Pledging Kappa Sig was one of the best things I ever did," said Wade.

He concluded by encouraging the actives to cherish their Kappa Sig bonds and stay active in the Chapter.

Wade received a BFA from UT and an MA from the University of California at Berkeley.

He has received three NEA grants and his work has been included in Biennials in Paris, France; New Orleans, LA; and the Whitney Museum of Art, New York, NY. Collections include Chase Manhattan Bank, AT&T, the Menil Collection, the Houston Museum of Art and the Austin Museum of Art.

Wade has produced three books and his work is included in "Oil Patch Dreams: Images of the Petroleum Industry in American Art" (Austin Museum of Art, March '98). His work can be viewed online at
bobwade.com .

He lives in Austin with his wife, Lisa. Their daughter, Rachel, is a senior -- and an art major -- at UT.

 

Initiation Date Arrives 29 Years Later

Robert Glauser joined Kappa Sigma in 1972 and would have been initiated the following year -- had it not been for a car accident. Fortunately, he made a full recovery, returned to UT and today is president of Glauser McNair, a landscape contracting company in Houston.

On November 4, Glauser, with the help of more than a dozen Tau brothers, was initiated into the Kappa Sigma brotherhood.

Congratulations, Robert Glauser!

Initiation Day: (Left to Right) Matt Gose, Mike Doherty, Tom McCarthy, Mark Hablinski,
Howard Lederer, Robert Glauser, Jim Pritchett, Kevin McConn, Hagen McMahon,
Richard Lucas, Joe Bailey, Chuck Fleming, Jay Piper, Doug Pritchett

 

Parents' Weekend Celebration

2011 Tau Man of the Year Wade Kilpatrick and his band "Mid Life Crisis and the Hot Flashes"
played for an enthusiastic crowd at the Kappa Sig Lodge following the awards ceremony on November 5.

Enjoying the Parents' Weekend frat party are Allison Bailey, Joe Bailey (Tau '73),
Libby Alcorn, George Alcorn, (Tau '53 ) and Tucker Willis (Tau '59).

 

Joe Bailey, Jr. (Tau '03) Earns International Acclaim for Documentary

Austin filmmaker Joe Bailey, Jr.'s first feature-length documentary has created a buzz of excitement that even the most seasoned filmmaker's work rarely enjoys.

"Incendiary: The Willingham Case," the award-winning documentary Bailey co-directed with Steve Mims, is described by Bailey as "equal parts murder mystery, forensic investigation and political drama."

"Incendiary" made its world premiere at the 2011 SXSW film festival in March, winning the prestigious Louis Black Special Jury Prize. Premiering on the east coast in June, it was a 2011 Official Selection at AFI Discovery SILVERDOCS, an international film festival noted as the "premiere showcase for documentary film," by Hollywood Reporter.

About the film:
In 1991, Cameron Todd Willingham's three daughters died in a Corsicana, Texas house fire. Convicted largely on faulty arson evidence, Willingham was sentenced to death for the murder of his children.

At the center of the controversy is Governor Rick Perry, who ignored the science that could have saved Willingham's life and allegedly manipulated a state forensics commission evaluation of the case in the years to follow.

"We set out to make a film that sticks to the facts of the original event and the scientific evidence surrounding the case," said Bailey. "We had no other cause. But with the inevitable injection of politics into the story, the film needed to pull back the curtain on some rough and ready political hardball."

Bailey began working as a cinematographer and sound recordist after graduating from the University of Texas School of Law. Finishing up a postdoctoral fellowship at the law school in 2009, he enrolled in Steve Mims' Production Two course. A conversation after class about clemency, criminal process and forensic science went on for days and became a film.

INCENDIARY opens at Austin's Violet Crown Cinema on Friday, September 23. Tickets will be available at the cinema or through violetcrowncinema.com. Tau alumni in Austin this fall who would like to catch a screening should contact Joe at (joebaileyjr@mac.com). If he's in town, he'll be happy to meet you at the VCC bar to say hello and discuss the film after the show.

The film opens at the Landmark E Street Theatre in Washington, DC the following week (9/30); additional cities will be announced soon.

For more information and to view the film trailer, visit INCENDIARYMOVIE.COM.

We encourage you to follow INCENDIARY_doc on Twitter and like INCENDIARY on FaceBook.

 

Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Enthusiastically Received

The "Distinguished Alumni Speaker" Series is off to a great start. Denton A. Cooley, M.D. (Tau '38), internationally acclaimed heart surgeon, served as our inaugural speaker on April 11 and former Chancellor of The University of Texas System R. D. (Dan) Burck (Tau '51) followed on May 2.

Dr. Cooley provided a delightful and inspiring video presentation sharing great memories of his days as a Kappa Sig active and insightful comments about his career and personal life since. Summing up his philosophy about the choices we make in life, he recited the following poem, which is inscribed in the foyer of the Texas Heart Institute:

 

"A Bag of Tools"

Isn't it strange
That princes and kings
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass
A book of rules;
And each must make
Ere life has flown
A stumbling block
Or a stepping stone.

American Poet R. L. Sharpe

May's featured speaker, Dan Burck, is currently Chairman of the Board for American Campus Communities (NYSE) and serves as a special advisor to The University of Texas System. Prior to his work with the University, Burck was a major force in the private sector in both the national and international worlds of business.

The actives listened with great interest as Chancellor Burck talked about his experiences managing Getty Oil Company's worldwide holdings and the exciting days of launching ESPN, the first cable TV sports network, which Burck helped create.

On behalf of the Chapter and Alumni, I extend my deepest gratitude to both Dr. Cooley and Chancellor Burck who truly define the term "distinguished" and who exemplify the best of the Kappa Sigma traditions of honor, excellence and contributions to humanity.

Reggie Tuck (Tau '68)
Board Director
Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation

 

Tau Open at Lakeway a Huge Success

The 19 teams participating in this year's Tau Open at Lakeway, held April 8 and 9, enjoyed beautiful weather and great fun.  

Congratulations to our tournament champions and our other placement teams listed below:  

Tournament Champions - Jack Doherty (Tau '03), Lane Dodds  (Tau '03), Matt Coscio  (Tau '03) and Joe Bailey, Jr. (Tau '03) 

First Place - Low gross - Drew Brown (Tau '05), Tom Browder (Tau '06), Brent Pickerell (Tau '05) and Chris Bailey (Tau '04)

Second Place - Low net - Reggie Tuck (Tau '68), Cody Tuck (Tau '07)
Travis Tuck (Tau '10)  and Russell Bailey (Tau '09)

Third Place - Low net - Jim Pritchett (Tau '71), Tom McCarthy (Tau '73), Jim Holley (Tau '78) and Matt Thanheiser (Tau '77)

Tentative plans for next year:
Location:  Lakeway
Dates:  Friday, April 27 & Saturday, April 28
Co-chairmen for 2012:  Jack Doherty, Lane Dodds, Matt Coscio and Joe Bailey, Jr.

We will award the green jackets at next year's dinner on Friday night, with plans for burgers or steaks in the newly remodeled Lakeway Live Oak Party Room immediately following the tournament. 
 
Thanks again for everyone's support and participation.  Best of luck to next year's tournament coordinators.  

Jay R. Houren (Tau '78)
Co-chairman, 2011 Tau Open

 

The 2011 Denton Cooley Tau Classic Enjoys Record Turnout

It was a great day for the Tau Chapter Kappa Sigs who played in the fifth annual Denton Cooley Tau Classic Golf Tournament on February 22 at Houston's Memorial Park Golf Course.  More than 80 people participated (as players, sponsors or supporters), raising close to $7,000 for next season's rush. 

"The Cooley Tau Classic has proven to be a terrific way to raise funds to support rush activities while enjoying a fun day together playing golf," said tournament director and event organizer Jim Pritchett (Tau '71).

 

Chris Heidrick, A Builder of Dreams

Chris Heidrick, (Tau '76) executive vice president of the nationally recognized Solis Constructors, Inc., served as general contractor for the construction of the Lodge.  Austin-based Solis Constructors provides high quality construction services for a variety of projects throughout Texas, including industrial, retail, military, medical, commercial and residential. 

In 2007, Solis Constructors, Inc., received Contractor of the Year Awards from both The City of Austin and from the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association, as well as the Excellence in Construction Merit Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. for construction of the Mexican American Cultural Center.

The Tau Chapter extends its deepest gratitude to Chris Heidrick and his team at Solis Constructors for their outstanding work in building the Lodge.  It's a truly exceptional building that will enrich the lives of Kappa Sigma brothers for many generations to come.

Lonesome Dove Lives on in the Grand Room of the Lodge

Through the generosity of Bill Wittliff (Tau '59), writer and executive producer of the epic miniseries Lonesome Dove, the Grand Room now displays a beautifully framed print of a photograph entitled "Stolen Horses," taken by Mr. Wittliff on the movie set of Lonesome Dove, widely regarded as the greatest western movie ever made.

"Stolen Horses" is part of the permanent collection of The Wittliff Gallery of Southwestern & Mexican Photography at Texas State University in San Marcus.

In his "Foreword" to Wittliff's A Book of Photographs from Lonesome Dove, author Larry McMurtry writes:

"Bill Wittliff is, to an unusual degree, professionally ubiquitous. He is a first-rate book designer and publisher and an extremely competent screenwriter and producer. And, as this volume splendidly illustrates, he's an amazing photographer.

But which craft or art is his first love?

I think these extraordinary photographs, made on the various sets of Lonesome Dove, answer that question. Photography is Bill Wittliff's first love -- here his talents are seen at their richest. Here we see the artist rather than the craftsman."

On behalf of the Tau Trustees and the entire Tau Chapter, we extend our most sincere gratitude to Bill Wittliff for this beautiful work of art to be enjoyed now and for many years to come.

Former U.S. Navy Captain & Soviet Specialist Pens Award-Winning Novel

Author Cameron Hoover (Tau '52) is earning international acclaim for his recent novel, A Zhukov Evening, winning one of the top honors in the Thriller/Adventure category of the 2010 International Book Awards.

The plot involves historical twists and wide ranging action, with the national interests of China, Russia, Japan, and the United States set on a collision course. Tensions increase, as does the threat of nuclear war.

Reviewers' comments have been favorable and can be read online at Amazon.com.

A Soviet specialist and Arabic linguist, Mr. Hoover was involved in intelligence operations and analyses for more than 25 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War and retired with the rank of Captain in 2006. He was later engaged by national agencies and other organizations as a consultant on intelligence and related national security issues.

Hoover lives in New Mexico with his wife, a music critic and poet, and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He's currently at work on another novel which he hopes to complete later this year.

The Tau Chapter congratulates Mr. Hoover on this impressive first novel and wishes him continued success in his writing career.

Doug McLeod Honored by Galveston's Prestigious Artillery Club

Doug McLeod (Tau '60) was the toast of the Galveston Artillery Club as its Founders' Day honoree at a recent black-tie gala -- the largest sit-down dinner served in the Club's history since its founding in 1840. This spectacular evening was part of a three-day celebration enjoyed by three generations of the McLeod family and a large circle of friends.

"The Glitterati turned out in designer gowns and tuxedos or tailored Artillery Club uniforms to honor the former legislator and attorney with an elegant introduction and award presentation by club historian, Jim Earthman," reported Lifestyle contributor Frances Powell in The Daily News of Galveston County.

Congratulations,Doug McLeod, on this well-deserved and highly esteemed award!