Adrian Alonso Selected to Serve the SWD
EK Newswire
Jan. 11th, 2010
Adrian Alonso, also known as Brother "B.U.R.R.O.", was recently selected to serve as the new Southwest District Vice President. 
Brother Alonso has been a music major at Angelo State University since Fall 2003. He was initiated into the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in the Spring of 2004 at the Southwest District Convention held at the University of Arkansas. This experience dramatically shaped his initial view of the fraternity, particularly of the District level. Adrian recalled this special moment fondly, noting, "I just have to say it was an amazing experience being able to sing the hymn for the first time as an active member with so many Brothers. Having national officers at my initiation was a bonus." Since his initiation into the chapter he has served in several officer roles, including: Parliamentarian, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President (trained three candidate classes), a term as Chapter President, and most recently, as Colony Liason to the University of Texas - Pan American.
But his biggest contribution to the chapter has no doubt been his leadership in innovating the Membership Education Program, as well as establishing the chapter's first Continuing Membership Education Program. With the MEP, Adrian was one of the leaders in establishing a standing committee to review the program after each class for both effectiveness and to eliminate hazing. Many of the improvements made to the MEP since 2005 have been Adrian's ideas, or at least originated from his ideas. With the CMEP, which he established in his final term as 1st Vice President during the 08-09 academic year, Adrian compiled information for a wide array of topics from fraternity history to organizational skills and presented them in 10-15 minute sessions at Chapter Meetings. By the end of that year it was clear that not only were our candidates recieving a high level of fraternity education and training, but the CMEP sessions Adrian conducted were improving the quality of our active members as well.
His recent selection onto the SWD Council was not Adrian's first attempt at the office. Adrian Alonso actually ran for the office in the Spring of 2009. Given his experience as an educator, Southwest District Vice President seemed like a logical next step, and so at the 2009 West Texas/New Mexico Area Workshop Adrian announced his campaign. He developed a solid base of support though his Facebook page, and ran a great campaign at the 2009 Southwest District Convention. There were several candidates for the office (after a couple trickled down from the Presidential race), and Adrian made the run off election before being narrowly defeated by Mark Daniels. The chapter felt that would probably be the end of the road for Adrian's Council hopes.
The spot opened up after a heart breaking announcement from the National Council. The Beta Delta Chapter at Sam Houston State University was expelled from the fraternity following a hazing investigation in the early Fall '09 semester. Chase Giddings, a brother of that chapter, was the Southwest District President at that time. Because he and his brothers were expelled, he could no longer hold the office. Mark Daniels was promoted into the position, leaving the office he was elected to, SWD Vice President, vacated. An announcement was sent out over the various fraternity listserves calling for applicants, and Adrian answered the call to service.
"At first I was rather reluctant because I didn't want to try again, and lose again. But after convincing myself, and after my wife convinced me, I submitted my application." Adrian recalls.
Ultimately, Governor Danniel George and the Brothers of the Southwest District Council chose EK's own, Adrian Alonso. "I don't know what happened, but the council saw fit to choose me for the office, for which I'm extremely grateful for." says Adrian.
The Southwest District was formed in 1987, and is comprised of New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. As the SWD Vice President, Adrian is responsible for membership retention and recruitment activities throughout the District, liason to the National Council for colonies in the District, and educator for the District.
Adrian will only have a few months to make a positive impact on the District before his term ends. Some of his goals include instituting a Southwest District Hazing Awareness Week, the creation of a Brotherhood Idea Book, and sending out montly issues of the Piu Mosso, the District Virtual Continuing Membership Education newsletter. Adrian says about his goals, "I'm really excited about the opportunity to try to accomplish these goals, mainly the Southwest District Hazing Awareness Week. Hazing is such an important topic, it needs to be brought to the forefront of Membership Education across the District. And I'm hoping it can serve as a model for other District across the Nation as well."
Adrian is the 5th Brother of EK to serve on the Southwest District Council. He follows David O'Neil, Courtney Ratliff, David Martinez, and Dr.  David Scott, who although he was initiated at Baylor, was serving as the EK Chapter Sponsor during his tenure as Co-Governor. With the addition of Adrian Alonso, Epsilon Kappa has had a Brother serving on the Southwest District Council for 11 of the District's 23 years, or 48% of its existence - impressive by anyone's standard.
Brother Alonso's appointment is also a milestone for the chapter, which has been working to complete goals set out in its strategic plan to become more involved on the District level. At the 2009 District Convention in Baton Rougue, Adrian was one of two EK candidates running for office, and the Chapter was a finalist for the D.O. Wiley Award. Over the summer the chapter was one of several that submitted bids to host the 2010 SWD Convention. The chapter plans on having a good showing at the upcoming West Texas/New Mexico Area Workshop at Texas Tech University on January 30th, the 2010 SWD Convention on the campus of Baylor in April, as well as an additional Area Workshop.
The Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi is proud of Adrian Alonso, and will steadfastly support him during his time as SWD Vice President.
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