The 2015-2016 school year is off to a successful start for the Gamma-Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma. To kick off the fall semester, the chapter held its annual Beach-a-palooza event. This year, the chapter announced it would be alcohol-free and for each person through the door, $1 would be donated to the Kappa Sigma Military Heroes Campaign. The response was an enormous turnout of 750 guests, all of whom enjoyed the festivities without incident, thanks to the execution of the chapter’s risk management plan.
This fall marks the first semester the chapter rushed independently of both the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Interfraternity Council, since recolonizing in 2006. With the chapter at a crossroads, no one in Boulder knew if Gamma-Tau could compete. Thanks to a commitment to hard work from every man in the chapter, over 400 men visited the house during rush week, with over 100 accepting invitations to Preference Night. The 41 men who accepted bids are proving themselves to be among the highest caliber men the chapter has pledged in years.
This year, the chapter prioritized philanthropy as a way to engage the Boulder community and give deeper meaning to membership. A goal has been set of donating no less than $18 and 35 hours of service per member each semester. Gamma-Tau members successfully raised over $1,000 for BuffTHON, benefitting Children’s Hospital Colorado. Additionally, the chapter participates in an on-going campaign called Peanut Butter and Lovin’, where members donate time to make and distribute meals for the homeless in Boulder.
One of the many things that the Gamma-Tau Chapter is blessed with is a large and dedicated alumni base - the undergraduate members are grateful for their on-going support. This Homecoming weekend, the chapter and the alumni paused to celebrate the lives of two of its most prominent brothers who passed in 2014, with a toast and the dedication of plaques inside the chapter house formal room. US Army Captain and CU Boulder alumnus Robert Della-Moretta (Gamma-Omicron ‘01) spoke on behalf of the family and chapter brothers of US Air Force Captain William Dubois (‘07), who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Operation Inherent Resolve. Brother Dubois was a founding member of the chapter’s recolonization in 2007, and went on to become a highly decorated F-16 pilot in the Air Force. Brother David “Randy” Weeks (‘73), former president of the Gamma-Tau Chapter housing board and the distinguished president of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, was remembered by his pledge son, Brother James “Jimmy” Calano (‘75) and his brother Joel Weeks. Brother Weeks was renowned for putting Denver on the arts and entertainment map, and yet always found time for mentoring brothers at the house, where he could be found almost every Sunday.
The members of the Gamma-Tau Chapter are excited to build on their momentum, and look forward to continued success for the remainder of the school year.