Tejas Club/Sig Ep Endowment
A group of Veterans returning from World War II had the financial assets to attend college due to the G.I. Bill. Wishing to enjoy the complete college experience, these men who had experienced war were not amenable to having teenagers beat them with paddles. As a result, they approached the ETSTC Administration with a plan for a new social club. It was accepted, and the Tejas Social Club emerged. Tejas translates to “friend” in the Caddo Indian language.
The Tejas Social Club operated with honor until March of 1961. At that time the Tejas club merged with the National Fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Tejas Club ceased to exist as an official campus entity.
After the Tejas Social club dissolved following the merger with Sigma Phi Epsilon, there was little Tejas activity for the next twenty-eight years. Earl Stubbs approached the Alumni Director, Sam McCord, about inviting the alumni of the ETSU social clubs to a gathering in Dallas. Led by the old Tejas, including Jace Carrington and Chair Earl Stubbs, The FIRST LAST DINNER DANCE became the most successful alumni event in the history of the University. 500 alumni attended the first year and 400 the second year (1992).
Meanwhile, Jace and Susan Carrington began a 20 year caretaking project for the Tejas. Meetings were held, a data base was created, Tejas gatherings emerged (The Hoss and Boss Blasts) and old relationships were renewed. During this period, Frank Turner suggested that the Tejas createt a scholarship fund with an initial goal of $10,000. Together with John Moss, Jace Carrington, Frank Turner, and a substantial donation by Richard Rothwell, the Endowment was established. Later the Tejas Alumni invited the Sigma Phi Epsilon to join as recipients of future scholarships. The progeny of Tejas and Sig Eps go to the head of the line for scholarships.
In 2017, Tejas Alumni extended an official invitation for Sig Eps Alumni to take charge of seeking donations to grow the Tejas/Sig Ep Endowment Fund.
The current value of the Endowment is now in excess of $400,000. As many as 10 scholarships of $2,000 each are offered each year. This will grow as donations from the Tejas/ Sig Eps are received.