The Inaugural Texas Beta Hall of Fame Luncheon
On December 13th, 2014, four beloved brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon were inducted into the Texas Beta Hall of Fame in front of about 65 people on hand. The history of local chapter Phi Alpha Tau and the transition to Texas Beta were both discussed and relished at the luncheon. Laughs and tears were certainly a part of this special event that would forever install Jack Wheeler, Dean Davis, Frank Martino and Bill Harvey on the wall of honor at the SigEp House at Maple Ave.
Distinguished alumni Duffy Oyster would be the first presenter for the award ceremony. His words about Jackie Don Wheeler were very special. Duffy would talk about Jack’s impact on Sigma Phi Epsilon on both a local and national level, pointing out that Jack was elected as national grand president of SigEp in 1959. Jack’s work with the SigEp National Educational Foundation had a huge impact on hundreds of brothers across the nation. Wife Kate Wheeler was on hand to accept the award. Jack is the only Texas Beta member to ever be awarded SigEp’s highest honor – “the Order of the Golden Heart”.
AVC President John Kolinofsky along with brother Neil Davidson would do the presentation for new hall of fame member Dean Davis. Kolinofsky stressed the importance of Dean’s work with Phi Alpha Tau, SigEp, the University of North Texas and the healthcare industry. As founder of Davis & Davis Law Firm, Dean would become the acknowledged “wise man of the Texas healthcare community” thanks to a half-a-century of counsel and litigation. Dean Davis remains the most significant donor in Texas Beta history.
Longtime alumni Bud Fuller would be the special guest speaker for the presentation of new Texas Beta Hall of Famer Bill Harvey. Bill joined SigEp in 1956, serving as treasurer and vice-president while an active member. Over the last 50 years, Brother Bill has always been there for his chapter at North Texas as a volunteer on the Alumni Volunteer Corporation. Bill would mentor under the likes of Frank Martino, going onto work with Frank after college for close to 15 years.
Bill Harvey would remain at the podium to honor the final member of the Hall of Fame, that being Frank Martino. Harvey would look back at Frank’s impact on Texas Beta through the help from Sammy Akins and some others who were around when Phi Alpha Tau became Sigma Phi Epsilon in 1952. Thanks to Frank Martino, SigEp would be the “first” national fraternity on campus; this change would create the way for all other national fraternities and sororities to make it onto the campus of the University of North Texas. Frank would be a part of the decision process for every fraternity house Texas Beta would ever own. Sons Trey and Rick Martino would be on hand to accept the award for their father.
Faces in the crowd on this day were Malta Akins, Phi Alpha Tau member Curtis Ramsey, distinguished alumni Jay Lombardo, Joe Busick, Cliff Price, Glen Ezell, Brian Richey, Eric Ward, Wade Willis, David Leerssen, Rick Goodwin, Stacey Everett, Dana Kee, SigEp District Governor Bill Patten, Keith Meline, Nick Holsomback, Jack & Louise Reese, James & Karen Palmer, Ken & Dorothy Cheairs, Jack & Brenda Kellam, Jim Williams, Al & Sue Stockard, and Stacy & Ann Cook.
