Screenwriter, Filmmaker & Publisher Bill Wittliff '59
Honored as Kappa Sigma National Man of the Year

More than 240 Kappa Sigs and family members gathered on January 12 to pay tribute to Bill Wittliff as National Kappa Sigma Man of the Year for 2012 -- the highest honor awarded by Kappa Sigma's National Fraternity. The celebration and award ceremony were held at the Tau Chapter's Kappa Sigma Lodge.

As a screenwriter and producer, Wittliff's credits include The Perfect Storm, The Black Stallion, Legends of the Fall and Lonesome Dove, among others. Cofounder, with his wife, Sally, of the highly regarded Encino Press, Bill Wittliff is a past president and Fellow of the Texas Institute of Letters, a recipient of the Texas Book Festival Bookend Award and the Texas Medal of Arts. He is also a member of the historic Texas Philosophical Society and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Wittliff is a distinguished photographer and writer whose photographs have been exhibited in the United States and abroad and are the subject of three books.

Worthy Grand Master Christian Nascimento, Kappa-Eta, Widener '93, presented the award to Brother Wittliff. Executive Director Mic Wilson, Beta-Nu, Kentucky '78, opened the ceremony with introductions and Worthy Grand Master of Ceremonies Derek L. Marchman, Lambda-Xi, Georgia College '85, provided the invocation.

Wittliff is the fifth initiate of UT's Tau Chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity to receive the National Man of the Year award. Past recipients include former American Airlines CEO Cyrus Smith, Texas Governor (1947-49) Beauford H. Jester, renowned heart surgeon Denton Cooley, M.D. and financier Richard Rainwater.

The Austin Mayor's Office issued a proclamation marking January 12 as Bill Wittliff Day. Wittliff is a 1959 initiate of the Tau Chapter at the University of Texas and lives in Austin.

 

Rick Warren '78 Honored as 2012 Tau Man of the Year

John R. "Rick" Warren, Jr. '78 was celebrated as this year's Kappa Sigma Tau Man of the Year by Tau Trustees, Alumni, the Chapter and family members during Fall Parents' Weekend on October 20.

"Rick has done so much with his time, talent and treasure for the Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma. He's extremely deserving of this award," said Jay Chernosky '78. "We've had a great lifelong friendship and that's truly what Kappa Sigma is about," he added.

After graduating from UT in 1981 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Warren helped build and expand his family's business of Caterpillar dealerships throughout Northwest and West Texas. With Warren as president, West Texas Cat enjoyed nine consecutive years of growth serving the governmental, construction and oil field industries.

In 1990 he moved the headquarters from Amarillo to Midland to take a key management position in another family owned business, Compressor Systems, Inc., (CSI), today an industry leader in all phases of gas compression.

In 1999 Warren moved his family to Austin where, among other pursuits, he became a professional day trader.

Although now a venture capitalist and world-traveling outdoor sportsman, he still devotes many hours to the Tau Chapter. He was instrumental in launching the Tau 125 Campaign and has contributed immensely to its success.

"Rick's tremendous generosity to the Chapter illustrates his deep commitment to the Kappa Sig brotherhood and to the Tau legacy. His gifts will benefit UT Kappa Sigs for many years to come," said Joe Bailey '73.

Warren has two grown children, Trey, a chef in Miami, and Haley, who lives in Ft. Collins, CO.

In 2010, he was chosen by the Tau actives to receive the Frank C. Erwin award for his outstanding service to the Chapter.

 

Reggie Tuck '69 Chosen for Frank Erwin Award

Each year the Tau Chapter selects an alumnus to receive the Frank C. Erwin, Jr. award, presented for exceptional guidance and contributions to the Chapter. Reggie Tuck '69 was this year's honoree.

"Reggie was the obvious choice for the Frank Erwin award," said Bryce Healey, Tau Chapter Grand Master. "He's a great mentor who's always there to support and encourage us. The entire Chapter holds him in high regard and appreciates all that he's done for us. He's a wonderful example of what it means to truly live the Kappa Sig brotherhood."

Among his many contributions, Reggie coordinates the Tau Chapter's Distinguished Alumni Speaker series, a popular monthly get-together at the Lodge that offers the actives a chance to meet a featured alum and hear about his career and how being a Kappa Sig has helped shape his life.

Reggie and his wife, Rhonda, are active in the Parents' Association and were co-chairs in planning this year's Fall Parents' Weekend events. They are the parents of two Kappa Sigs, Cody '07, a UT graduate who now works for Sotheby's International Aspen/Snowmass Real Estate Co. in Aspen, Colorado and Travis '10, a UT Junior majoring in Liberal Arts. They also have a daughter, Mason, a high school senior who hopes to attend UT Austin next year.

Reggie is a partner in Ranch Enterprises LTD, a Kerrville, Texas-based company that develops and sells land and ranches in Texas, Colorado and New Mexico.

About Frank C. Erwin, Jr: Frank Erwin, Chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents from 1966 to 1971, was a devoted Kappa Sig who served as an Alumnus Advisor and a founding Trustee of the Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation. He was honored as Tau Man of the Year both in 1965 and 1980.

 

Preston Key '09 Chosen for 2012 Philip Moore Award

Preston Key '09, known for his engaging personality and devotion to his Kappa Sig brothers, is this year's recipient of the Philip Moore award. Preston, a corporate communications major from Dallas, is currently Tau Chapter vice-president and a member of the Texas Cowboys service organization.

The Philip Moore Award: Philip Moore is remembered for his outstanding leadership, service and loyalty to his Tau brothers. He died tragically in a car accident at 29 years of age. The Philip Moore award is given annually by the Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation to a KS senior who demonstrates many of the attributes for which Philip Moore is remembered.

 

Thomas Dowlearn '10 Selected for 2012 Gabe Higgins Award

Gracious, thoughtful and a natural leader are fitting descriptions for Thomas Dowlearn '10, this year's recipient of the Gabe Higgins award. Thomas, a business management and premed major from Houston, served as GMC for Spring, 2012. He is active in Texas CRU and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

The Gabe Higgins Award: Gabe Higgins is remembered for his calm and unassuming demeanor, his ready willingness to help a brother in need, and his good character. The Gabe Higgins award is given annually by the Texas Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation to a KS junior who shares many of the good qualities for which Gabe Higgins was known.

 

Ernest Hotze '08 Receives Michael O'Connor Award for 2012

Graduating senior Ernest Hotze was chosen by the Chapter to receive the 2012 Michael O'Connor Award. This award was created to honor the senior who has best exemplified the spirit of Kappa Sigma brotherhood throughout his years as a Tau Chapter active.

Hotze has been a Rush captain, GMC and grand procurator. He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and grew up in Houston.

The Tau Trustees and Alumni agree that Ernest Hotze was an excellent choice for this award and extend their warmest congratulations.

 

Tau Man of the Year Honorees

The Tau Men of the Year are honored by the Tau Trustees
in recognition of their accomplishments among their fellow
man and their loyalty to Kappa Sigma and Tau Chapter.

2012		Rick Warren '78
2011		Wade Kilpatrick '69, Charles Bankhead '57
2010		F. Hagen McMahon, Jr. '66
2009		George A. Alcorn '53
2008		Robert A. "Monk" White '60
2007		Clifton Morris '53
2006		Robert H. Whilden Jr. '54
2005		Norman Joe Bailey '73
2004		Eric Douglas McLeod '60
2003		John F. Austin III '63
2002		Joe K. Longley '61
2001		R. D. "Dan" Burck '51
2000		Nicholas K. Kralj '62
1999		Jack W. Lander Jr. '43
1998		Charles C. Pierce Jr. '53
1997		Robert J. Hewitt '50
1996		David E. Bell '63, William W. Collins, Jr '65, Stewart W. DeVore Jr. '65, Mark L. Hart Jr. '62, Robert J. Hewitt '50, Robert A. Moor '64, John T. Sharpe '55
1995		Robert A. Moor '64
1994		Charles Alcorn '46
1993		Mark L. Hart Jr. '62
1992		William "Bill" D. Wittliff '59
1991		W. James McAnelly, Jr. '48
1990		Richard G. Miller '38
1989		Richard E. Rainwater '63
1988		Hon. David O. Belew Jr. '39 Hon. Joe B. Estes '25
1987		William W. Collins, Jr. '65
1986		Steve Murrin Jr. '59
1985		John H. Rauscher Jr. '43
1984		John R. Warren '55
1983		Webb M. Sowden Jr. '54
1982		John T. Sharpe '55
1980		Ron Waldie '55, Frank C. Erwin Jr. '38
1979		William N. Finnegan III '43
1977		E. Philip Moore
1976		Ben F. Looney III '45
1975		Hilmar G. Moore '39
1974		Timothy J. Herman '63
1972		Robert D. Spellings '60
1971		Howard V. Rose Jr. '50
1970		Hilmar G. Moore '39
1969		James L. Bayless '43
1968		Jack G. Taylor Jr. '61
1967		Dause L. Bibby '30
1966		Denton A. Cooley, MD '38
1965		Frank C. Erwin, Jr. '38
1964		Judge Robert E. Thomason 1899
1963		Joe B. Hogsett '01, James P. Nash '12, C. R. Smith '24
Date Unknown:		Jack Josey '35

 

A Fond Farewell to Four Outstanding Kappa Sigma Brothers

As 2012 comes to a close, we remember four Tau brothers who added much to the tapestry of our Tau legacy.  We send our condolences to their families and appreciate the happy memories they leave with us today.

Johnny loved to hunt, play golf and give advice. Pretty good card player and loved by all. A man of many nicknames, most notably "Guido" and "the Count.

Jim Pritchett '71

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Jeff's virtue was the epitome of what we, as parents and Kappa Sigma Brothers, strive to instill in our children with the hope that, as they grow into adulthood, they will exhibit the characteristics of the model citizen that Jeff was. He was my Kappa Sigma Brother and my best friend.

Jim Nash Scott '68

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It was obvious to all who had the pleasure and honor to meet Hilmar that he was a unique, extremely accomplished and very bright man. Proud yet gracious, he was engaging and full of life. Being elected as Richmond's mayor for life was no accident.

Joe Bailey '73

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"Cadillac Jack" and I wound up in El Paso at the same time. Cadillac and his father Jack Taylor, Sr. were friendly faces to me in a town where I knew no one. When Jack, Sr. would fly into El Paso from Houston, I was always included in the group. In fact Jack, Sr. would slip us all a $100 bill, which covered my meals for an entire month. I will always remember their kindness and friendship.

Hagen McMahon, Jr. '66

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