ABSOLUTE TEXXAS History
ABSOLUTE TEXXAS was created in the Spring semester of 2004 by three roommates at The University of Texas at Austin. The three roommates that founded ABSOLUTE TEXXAS are Andrew Ray, Gustavo Rojo, and Carlos Valdez. They were randomly chosen as pot luck roommates at Jester Dormitory as none of the founders knew each other before coming to UT. During the Fall semester, the founders quickly became friends and began looking to join a fraternity or other student organizations. Carlos began to focus on student organizations. Andrew and Gus noticed a flier that a fraternity was starting a new chapter on the UT campus. They attended several meetings and joined the inaugural rush class of the new chapter. It was during this semester that Andrew, Carlos, and Gus realized that no organization offered the overall student experience they were looking for.
One night in the Jester Dormitory, the idea that would become ABSOLUTE TEXXAS was first thought of. The idea started as a small group of guys that would throw parties and host activities around campus. However, the idea quickly grew after many of their friends expressed interest in the new group and wanted to join. The reaction was surprising and the founders decided the group needed to be larger and more diverse. The founders settled on starting a co-ed student organization that would embrace service, spirit, and social activities at UT. This was a major departure from the fraternities, sororities, and student organizations at UT. The founders realized the social impact that ABSOLUTE TEXXAS could have on the UT community and placed an emphasis on spirit and service activities. This was one of the first organizations at UT to combine all of these elements and provide students with a diversified college experience. The three roommates spent the rest of the semester crafting the framework of ABSOLUTE TEXXAS. The founders realized for the organization to be successful, ABSOLUTE TEXXAS and its members must display the principles of leadership, integrity, and teamwork. Those are the same principles we look for in potential members and use as a guide for the future of ABSOLUTE TEXXAS.
Once the foundation was set, ABSOLUTE TEXXAS had its first rush class in the Fall semester of 2004. With the first rush class they grew to over twenty members and have grown and expanded with each passing semester. Each member of ABSOLUTE TEXXAS has been selected because they exemplify the values and principles this organization was founded upon. ABSOLUTE TEXXAS is one of the fastest growing organizations on campus and continues to be an innovative and dynamic part of The University of Texas at Austin.
Andrew and Carlos have gone on to establish The ABSOLUTE TEXXAS Alumni Association to continue the involvement of its members once they graduate from The University of Texas at Austin. They have also established The ABSOLUTE TEXXAS Foundation to partner with the student organization on community service projects in the Austin community. The creation of The ABSOLUTE TEXXAS Alumni Association and ABSOLUTE TEXXAS Foundation, along with the continued growth of the student organization, has led to the establishment of an ABSOLUTE TEXXAS Board of Advisors to oversee these entities. The five initial members of the Board of Advisors are Andrew Ray, Carlos Valdez, Neil Kay, Lauren McDonald, and David Whitby.
Andrew, Carlos, and Gus would like to give special thanks to the original rush class of ABSOLUTE TEXXAS in the Fall of 2004. Without their support, trust, encouragement, and overall loyalty to ABSOLUTE TEXXAS, the organization would not be as successful as it is today. The original members of ABSOLUTE TEXXAS are:
Kerie Anthony
Josh Bradburn
Natalie Harrison
Stephen Kalil
Neil Kay
Jacob Macias
Lauren McDonald
Amanda Montagne
Alex Shaffer
Crystal Smades
David Whitby
Julia Winkley |
