Dearest Brethren,
A few weeks ago, I issued my “online farewell address” with the simple line of “1.” I did it a joke, especially for those who expect me to be verbose. Now, I’m writing my OFFICIAL farewell address…and yes, it’s verbose. At least I’m saying more than just “1.”
I came back in 2006 to help keep our beloved Alumni Club alive. I felt that it was going in the wrong direction and I wanted to help right that wrong. While this current year was not my best effort, I really feel that the previous 2 years really helped move things in the right direction. I’m very proud of getting the new scholarships off the ground, helping the undergrads as we have, continuing the traditions we’ve supported and, most recently, bestowing the honorary brotherhood to James “Big Jim” Bagby. I have to give special thanks to my Vice President, Darrell Calotes, for coming up with TEP’s Biggest Loser: our most successful event. It drove up membership, dues money for scholarships and participation. Also, I want to thank guys like Teeth, Wubbie, Goon, Butternut and Fido for their help and support. Ofcourse, I want to thank Gerk for his endless and tireless help and support without whom, I don’t think I would have gotten anything done.
I want to say thank you to guys like Zoolander, Hansel, Leech, Niel and Jester who ALWAYS make me feel like I’m better than I am. These guys inspire me with their words and their confusing belief in me and what they think I can do. SO many times I honestly didn’t believe I would be able to accomplish something but their words of encouragement and belief in me made me feel like I could…and did.
I’ve been a TEP for almost 20 years (WOW!)and it has been the greatest experience of my life. All the good that I’ve gotten from TEP and it’s beautiful brothers has been all the motivation I’ve ever needed to do anything I do on behalf of my chapter, my fraternity and it’s members. Some of you have heaped praises on me for simply doing what I thought was right or what I felt was my responsibility, to return some of what I have been given. I have sat with younger brothers who have given me such compliments that I was driven to blush and even tears. I have been made to feel like a star, but I am anything but. If I am anything, I am more like The Moon. The Moon is bright only because it is a reflection of the Sun and you TEPs have always been my Sun, my reason for doing the things I do and being the TEP I have been…my reason to shine.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve you and give back. Thank you for helping and supporting me these past 3 years. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for making it all possible. It has been a sincere honor and pleasure to serve you all in this capacity and I look forward to what’s coming next.
Fraternally,
Bro. Jose “Roach” Torres
Phi Chi 007, Epsilon Lambda 435