Hall of Honor Awards Presentation September 7, 2019

The ATO Texas Zeta Mu Alumni Association Alumni Hall of Honor Award Presentation Ceremony, was  held on September 7, 2019, at the Walker Education Center, Huntsville, Texas. 

This Award recognized those Dons and ATO Zeta Mu Brothers who have gone 'Above and Beyond', to further the  Growth and Connection between the ATO Zeta Mu Alumni Association and the Zeta Mu Active Chapter,  the ATO Lodge, the ATO Zeta Mu Alumni Website, and Our Brotherhood. Its another Link in the ever expanding relationship between the Zeta Mu Alumni Association and the Zeta Mu Active Chapter. 

Zeta Mu has so many Outstanding Alumni, which is a direct result of the Zeta Mu Chapter continually initiating Outstanding Undergraduate Members.  And, it is with great difficulty making the selection of those  Alumni Brothers who have given Their Talent, Their Time, Their Mentoring, Their Expertise, and Their Financial Support to the ATO Texas Zeta Mu Chapter at Sam Houston State University.

Over 1,000 Dons and ATO Zeta Mu Brothers have contributed to the success of Zeta Mu over the past 60 + years. The Alumni  Brothers who have been voted into the 2019 Alumni Hall of Honor, have continued to Raise the Bar in support of Zeta Mu in many diverse ways. 

Simply stated, they are the Best of the Best of Our Alumni Brotherhood. 

Working closely with the Alumni Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, these Brothers continue to Respond and to Reach Out to the Active Chapter with their contributions, which often makes the difference between just participating, to actually Elevating, Supporting, and Recognizing the Achievements of those Active Zeta Mu Members, which can be a very difficult but rewarding endeavor. 

The end result of this cooperation between the Zeta Mu Alumni Association and the Zeta Mu Active Chapter is what makes ATO Zeta Mu the Campus Leader at Sam Houston State University.

Although the Brothers were recognized at our 2019 Reunion, prior to the September,7 Ceremony, we are now posting their actual Awards on this website, following this introduction. 

The Original Hall of Honor Awards will be permanently displayed at the ATO Zeta Mu Lodge located at 1411 Nottingham St., Huntsville, Texas, Huntsville, Texas.

“After serving a year in the Korean War, I got out on January 7, 1955. Four days later I was a Freshman at SHSTC with a New Dream... Organizing and Founding a New Mens Social Club. A club based on Christian Principles, and composed of Outstanding Young Men of Character, with an Eye to the Future. 

Our first year we started with only 11 members, and before we went ATΩ in 1960, we grew to 114. In my wildness dreams I never imagined the Dons would grow into the Magnificent ATΩ Zeta Mu Chapter it is today... Wow, what a Blessing.

Our Goal was to build a Legacy for the Brothers who would follow us, and that’s just what we did. In 1960, Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity awarded the Dons a Charter, and the Texas Zeta Mu Chapter of ATO was born...

 We Realized Our Dream.” Charlie Hodges

Brother Charlie Hodges • November 27, 1932-August 22, 2019 •  Charlie passed just  two weeks prior to being inducted into the Hall of Honor. Charley's daughter Debra Hodges Coffee accepted his Award, and told us she was able to share with him, that he had received this great honor.

“I feel blessed that the Dons and ATΩ’s played such a big role in my life. They enabled me to learn so very much from my fraternity relationshps; like teamwork, responsibility, and loyalty. But most of all, it’s the Love and Friendship for my Brothers that makes them my closest friends today.

It’s rewarding to have attended all but one Dons reunion and all the Trail’s End Ranch Reunions since 2000...

and I’ll treasure those memories forever.” Wendell 'Spot' Bailey

"In 2014 it was an Honor and a Privilege to be named Editor & Historian for the Dons ATO Texas Zeta Mu Alumni Association History Project. Now I'm Truly Humbled to be Voted by my Brothers for Induction into the ATO Zeta Mu Alumni Association Hall of Honor."

"Had the great opportunity to pledge and be initiated an ATO at a time when many of the Dons were still active in Zeta Mu. I was in Awe of these Gentlemen Dons, as I was just a youngster of 18. Our Zeta Mu Chapter was in its first year and the time was Oh So Exciting. 

I'm not sure when I first realized just how important our Alumni were to all of us young Taus. Their Guidance and Mentoring along with the Principles & Guidelines provided by our ATO Founders...

Our Brotherhood has been well served for over 60 Years. It's now 2019 and we're still Blessed and going strong." Duffer VTL

“Preserving the ATΩ experience for generations to come has been my goal since becoming an Alumni Advisor in the 1980’s. It has afforded me the luxury of participating in the lives of so many young men who gain valuable friendships, and a base of support for the rest of their lives.

 The BOT’s mentoring work with the Zeta Mu Chapter is in pursuit of this Important and Life Changing Goal.

When asked what they want to get out of joining ATΩ, I am often told," 

‘I want to learn how to be a good man.’ Dan

“I had some great times, faced a few challenges, grew and matured a bit, and made so many dear friends I still cherish to this day. 

Since 1998, the Alumni Reunions have made those friendships so much more special to me. We all share in each others lives and fellowship, one with another the entire year long. Chapter Involvement, University Summits, Hunt for Heroes, Piney Woods Shootouts, and the many other activities that we participate in together, only serve to strengthen the Love and Brotherhood 

Instilled in our ATΩ Creed. 

With Love & Respect all my Brothers." Bird

“Larry loved being a Don and being initiated ATΩ in 1960. He loved the Brotherhood and Fellowship, and he was always there to assist the Active Chapter and help the Alumni Association, by participating in practically every event.

He genuinely liked to help and provide advice to the Chapter, both as an active member and as an Alumni.

He made a special effort to help everyone be an outstanding person and to be the Best Don and ATΩ they could be.” Duffer

“Being a part of the Greatest Mens Social Club on the Sam Houston State Campus was indeed an Opportunity and a Great Privilege.

 It gave me the opportunity to learn and participate in so many great adventures.As one of the ‘Lucky 114’ Dons members, I consider myself truly fortunate. And then becoming an ATΩ was the Icing on the Cake.

These were life changing events and the foundation for many career decisions.” A.W.

“Pledging and becoming an ATΩ was one of the greatest experiences in my life.

When I attended my first reunion and reconnected with Brothers, some after 30 years, it was like no time had passed between us. I realized what the founders of ATΩ strived to achieve. 

A Brotherhood based on moral character, friendship, loyalty, mutual respect, and love. What greater joy and reward can life offer than family, friendships...

 and a Life-long Brotherhood.” Mac