Chapter History
Sigma Phi Epsilon at St. Mary’s University originated in 1948 with a cordial split from Rho Beta Gamma and eight men who formed the Order of the Barons, a men’s social club. The organizations constitution was written by Fr. Louis Reile who later taught at St. Mary’s. During the early part of the 1960’s the Barons had desires of nationalizing their local organization, and in 1965 they became of colony of Sigma Phi Epsilon. On January 31, 1970, the Texas Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was initiated. The Texas Theta Chapter was one of the strongest Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters for over 33 years in academics (GPA), man power, intramurals, and the community.
From 1995 to 2003, the Texas Theta Chapter struggled to fully implement the Balanced Man Program. As a result, the chapter remained a traditional “Pledge” chapter and was not able to take advantage of the benefits, organization, structure, and Universal respect for self and others the Balanced Man Program had to offer. Unfortunately, the charter for the Texas Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was revoked during the spring of 2003.
In the fall of 2005 Peter Houhoulis began his first semester at St. Mary’s University. As a freshman, Peter knew absolutely no one, but quickly made some really great friends who shared common personalities, morals, and characteristics which resulted in a closely related group of individuals who considered themselves as brothers (a local organization). After a successful semester, these individuals were eligible to rush a fraternity at St. Mary’s University. The individuals had looked into fraternal life, became very interested in such a life, however the group agreed that they did not believe in the ideals and/or image of the current fraternity’s on campus and wanted to join a fraternity who did not believe in the typical “Frat Boy” image. Over time, the group consistently debated on whether or not they “should just start our own Fraternity.”
The current resident hall advisor for the group John Bullock, an Alumni of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, encouraged the group to look into the possibility of starting another fraternity at St. Mary’s University. Towards the end of the spring 2006 semester Peter and another member of the group met with Rosalind Alderman, the Dean of Students Life office. Rosalind discussed the possibility of Sigma Phi Epsilon and described how their used to be a chapter on campus and that the chapter and fraternity was one of the best the school had worked with. The group researched the principles of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Balanced Man Program and realized that the principles of Sigma Phi Epsilon and “Universal Respect for self and others” were principles that the entire group believed in. During the end of the Spring 2006 semester, the group met with Jason Cherish, the current expansion director of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The group, along with Sigma Phi Epsilon, established short term goals including GPA and manpower. As such, with over 25 new members, the group had transitioned from a local organization to a colony within Sigma Phi Epsilon known as St. Mary’s University Texas SEC.
The Texas Theta chapter was then re-chartered on September 18, 2010.