Letter from 2025 Tau Chapter Grand Michael Schultze ‘22
Dear Tau Alumni & Parents,
It is my pleasure to reach out to you as the current Tau Chapter Grand Master. I want to thank the Tau Seniors and the previous Executive Committee, especially Ryan Jinnette ‘21 (past Grand Master), for their guidance and dedication to this Chapter. They left a lasting impact on
those who will come after them.
I’m proud to report the Tau Chapter once again had a great year. We signed 61 new pledges in the fall, bringing the Chapter roster to 171 undergraduates. Tau currently ranks 7th in size on the Inter-fraternity Council. Tau is performing well academically, earning an overall GPA average of 3.54, ranking above the current University average and an improvement from last year.
Kappa Sig has a strong presence in campus-wide organizations, most notably the Silver Spurs and Texas Cowboys. Ten Kappa Sigs are members of the Spurs, and eight of our brothers are members of the Cowboys.
The Texas Cowboys hosted their first Harvest Moon concert in November since returning to campus, followed by Spring BBQ in April. Collectively, the events raised over $100,000 to benefit underprivileged kids at UT Elementary. Billy Thackston ‘21 (past Grand Treasurer) was recently appointed and completed the semester as Foreman (President) of the Texas Cowboys. He also served as the Cowboys’ Shotgun (Treasurer). Michael Schultze ‘22 (Grand Master) was also elected as a member of the Cowboys Selections Committee for this upcoming fall.
In addition, the Silver Spurs participated in their annual Chili-Cook Off and Spring Jam fundraising events, raising nearly $250,000 for the Neighborhood Longhorns Program. Kappa Sig holds leadership roles in the Silver Spurs, with Levi Robinson ‘22 (Grand Procurator) elected as a Spring Jam Chair and LJ Godfrey ‘22 (T-Shirt Chair) elected as Rowel Trainer. It’s great to see our fellow Kappa Sigs in leadership positions across other organizations on campus!
Edward Hyde ‘22, currently serving as Tau’s Philanthropy Chair, organized another successful Heart of Texas with Alpha Phi. We have now raised nearly $5,000 to continue our enthusiastic support of Wounded Warriors and the SEAL Legacy Foundation.
For the second year in a row, Tau continued its much-storied Texas Independence Day celebration! We hope to continue this wonderful tradition uninterrupted for many years to come. Tau also celebrated our Spring Formal by traveling to New Orleans! This destination trip marked an exciting event to look forward to, and is something we hope to make an annual tradition.
We enjoyed hearing from our outstanding alum Rick Warren ‘78 as we continue our popular Speaker Series. He shared the profound value of making your passion your work, plus unique life experiences across his career at the University of Texas and in his time spent hunting.
The Warren Residence Hall and Lodge are still among the most impressive fraternity properties on campus. They serve as the living space for undergraduates and a gathering place for our brotherhood to thrive and prosper. We are working with the Parents’ Association to bring capital improvements to the property this summer. These ideas include:
● Automatic gate installation for security
● Upgrading property security cameras
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to TKSEF for their persistent efforts to resolve the Residence Hall’s HVAC system issues. Air conditioning problems plagued the Residence Hall for years. TKSEF persevered until they found a permanent solution, spending more than $175,000 to replace the system. We can’t thank them enough for the time and resources they’ve invested to give us comfortable living accommodations.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to Alumnus Advisor Matthew Ziemnicki ‘08 and Assistant Alumnus Advisor Grant Shaffer ‘19. They have been enormously helpful to the Executive Committee and the Chapter as a whole in our efforts to increase ritual proficiency. We will forever be grateful for their mentoring.
The Chapter sends huge shout-outs to Mike Chapman, Aubrey Brown, and Dennis and Dylan Fenn. They help keep the Chapter running smoothly, keep the properties clean, and keep us well-fed. We deeply appreciate their hard work and positive spirits. Tau also sends its prayers to Ernie Taliaferro, wishing him a speedy recovery. Ernie has left a lasting impact on everyone he’s met, and we thank him for all the memories and support he’s instilled into the Chapter.
Your support has been instrumental to the success of the Tau Chapter. From rush referrals to donations, guidance, and more, your contributions have made a significant difference. I want to personally acknowledge the dedication that parents and alums have shown us. You have made our time as UT Kappa Sigs incredibly special. Thank you for everything you do!
Michael Schultze ‘22
Grand Master
Kappa Sigma, Tau Chapter
A.E.K.D.B.,
Michael Schultze ‘22
Grand Master
Kappa Sigma, Tau Chapter
Alumni Speaker Series Features John Martin '79
John Martin, ranked among the top financial advisors in the country, was a featured alumni speaker at the Kappa Sig Lodge on October 16. John shared insights about financial management and his Kappa Sig brotherhood's impact on his life, stating that the bonds he created with his Tau brothers during his college years still remain strong.
"We were a close group who knew we could count on each other. That has certainly played out in my career." His first client came to him by introduction from a Kappa Sig brother. That client is still with him today.
In 2020, the Financial Times named John to its elite group of Top 400 Financial Advisors chosen from the largest brokerage firms in the nation. John attributes his success to his close attention to detail tracking the stock market and his ability to see "the big picture" for long-term performance. His objective is to keep clients focused on their long-term plans rather than reacting to market volatility.
After studying economics at The University of Texas, John launched his career as a financial advisor in 1984. He began with Dean Witter, moved to Rauscher Pierce, then to A.G. Edwards, which later became Wells Fargo Advisors, and now serves as managing director of investments for Raymond James.
John currently serves as a Tau Trustee. He served as both a Trustee and alumnus advisor during the late 80s and early 90s, a time he recalls the Chapter was "recovering from a pretty low spot and beginning to flourish." In 1992, the Chapter presented him with the Frank C. Erwin Award for exceptional support and leadership. He was chosen the same year as Outstanding Alumnus Advisor, a national award given by the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
"To this day, the national award from Kappa Sigma is my most gratifying accomplishment," John said. "Like being named a top advisor by the FT, it was an acknowledgment of a team effort with a group of very loyal people."
John also values philanthropy. "There's no greater feeling than giving back," he said. His chosen charities include the Alzheimer's Association, Partnership for Children (Austin), The Victoria Bach Festival, The American Book Review, David's Legacy Foundation (a resource to fight cyberbullying), The University of Houston-Victoria, The Austin Parks Foundation, and several other worthy causes. He has also given substantial donations to the Tau Chapter capital campaigns to build the Lodge and Warren Residence Hall.
Distinguished Speaker Series Features Tito Beveridge '81
Tito Beveridge, creator and master distiller of Tito’s Handmade Vodka — the largest liquor brand in the country — is, by anyone’s definition, a huge success. But it didn't come easy. He had to reinvent himself several times before finding the winning formula. As the Tau Chapter’s featured alumni speaker on October 1, he spoke candidly about the importance of persevering through setbacks and disappointment.
“People need to learn how to deal with failure,” Tito said. “Learning to be resilient is the best lesson you could ever learn. You are not a failure until you quit.”
Tito’s college years included pre-med studies at Vanderbilt, roughnecking on oil rigs in the summers, and earning geology and geophysics degrees from UT. He started an oil company and ran 300-man seismic crews in Venezuela and Colombia before returning to Texas to start a drilling company in Houston. Tired of “chasing the buck,” he moved to Austin, first working for the Environmental Protection Agency and then as a residential mortgage broker.
Working in the mortgage business, he made flavored vodka to give as Christmas presents to his friends. Enthusiastic responses from friends and strangers who tasted his customized drink prompted him to take the leap from amateur to pro as a vodka maker.
Potential investors, however, expressed doubt that he could get permits or a distributor, leaving him to go it alone. Their negativity didn’t stop him. He used his savings and 19 credit cards to put himself in business.
He crafted a 16-gallon production still and went to work as a one-person production, sales, and marketing force. Then a pivotal moment came with an invitation to the World Spirits Competition. Too busy to attend, he sent a couple of bottles as entries. Tito’s vodka won first place and the double gold medal -- the unanimous choice among the judges -- beating out 72 other vodkas in the international competition.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is now sold in 156 countries around the world. "Keep reinventing yourself until you get it right," he told his audience.
Tito offered some personal advice as well. “The most important decision you’ll ever make is choosing the person you’ll spend your life with,” he said. “Find someone with a great attitude who believes in you. What are the qualities you would like to see in your kids? Find those qualities in a woman. The person you marry will make you or break you.”
Tito was chosen Kappa Sigma International Man of the Year in 2017, honored not only for building a world-class vodka brand, but also for his generous philanthropic giving and community support, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka for Dog People initiative to support animal welfare causes.
Tito recalled that his mom often encouraged him to “Leave the world a better place than you found it.” He has taken that to heart with a lifelong commitment to giving. “The more you give, the more you get,” he said.