Hello Everyone! My name is Heather McGowan and I am the Webmaster for Fall 2012! I have had a lot of fun over the past month and a half putting together the blog posts full of our beautiful alumnae and sisterhood! I appreciate everyone who reads our blog and I hope it makes you feel like you get to know our chapter better! :3

Some things to be on the look out for: 

• We will have a few more alumnae posts before band week begins on August 13th!
• Everything has been updated on the blog, so be sure to look at all the tabs which includes the: Quick View, Calendar, Membership (some have different last names!), Beau (love him!), and Officers & Committees!

For now, enjoy this post about the history of Iota!

I live in Baylor Plaza 1 with Taylor MacKay, my best friend! Over the 2 months we have lived here, we have acquired a lot of Tau Beta stuff from alumnae & various Tau Betas who are cleaning out their apartments. We found Iota's petition for charter! It was so cool looking through it and seeing how our chapter has evolved since then! 

What was your MC class name? Greek Goddesses!!

What was your MC name? Hestia, Greek Goddess of Hearth & Home J

When did you cross? Spring 2005

Nicole Gumke

Ben Cozad

Huy Nguyen  

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the wonderful city of Austin, TX

Where did you graduate high school? John B. Connally High School

Why did you choose Baylor? I fell in love with the beautiful campus… also, it had an amazing reputation for music and the sciences! Baylor being a Christian University was also a bonus.

While at Baylor, where did you live? I lived in North Russell my freshman year, then moved to Baylor Plaza.

What was your most difficult class? Probably Anatomy & Physiology

What is your favorite place and tradition on the Baylor campus? My favorite area on campus would probably be the grounds in front of the Pat Neff building and the entire Old Main area; it’s just pretty and old school.  As for traditions… Homecoming week!

What did you play in BUGWB? Piccolo

Did you hold any leadership positions in Band Council, within your section, or TBS? Yep! I was secretary in Tau beta, as well as chaplain too (I can’t remember when exactly) :) I was also on the Band Council for TBS & served as a squad leader for two marching seasons.

Why did you decide to join Tau Beta Sigma? I love music & I love serving others. Tau Beta Sigma was a fun way to do both and bond with great people in the process. 

What was your favorite Tau Beta event? Attending Southwest District Convention!! So much fun. Also all of our “Rush” and “Take a Dates”… good times! 

With what degree did you graduate? Nursing!!

What did you do with your degree? I’m a Registered Nurse at Select Specialty Hospital, a Long Term Acute Care Facility!! I love being able to literally assist in a person’s healing process!! It’s very very satisfying.

What are you doing now/what do you want to continue doing? I married the man of my dreams…we’re currently living in San Marcos, just south of Austin, TX. As of now, I plan on continuing to work as a nurse and maybe pick up some new hobbies along the way. 

   ¡Buenos dias! My name is Nicky Arellano, and even though I’ve been enjoying my summer I’m getting super excited about this fall. For starters, I get to focus on classes in my major (Geology). I was an International Studies major as a freshman and took the basic Geology courses only to fulfill my lab science requirements, but ended up falling in love with it! 
        This turtle adores consolidated aggregates of mineral grains, rock particles, and organic materials as much as I do!

I’ll also be experiencing BUGWB as a member of the low brass family (baritone).. After five years of marching on clarinet I’m a little nervous about the big change, but I’ve already had a lot of fun just learning the instrument (thank you big sis)!
        It will also be my first semester to hold an office in Tau Beta. I’ve been exploring different service opportunities, and have been arranging projects with the Band Director of University High School (who is a KPsi!) and the Girl Scouts Pathways Coordinator (Central Texas). Working with high school bands and helping girl scouts earn their music badges are great ways for the sisterhood to use their talents in service. I’m also trying to organize a project that can be done with rushees. Lastly, I am looking at a few long-term service options (to the School of Music) that our lovely president presented! I can’t wait to work with my sisters and I am praying that I’ll be an outstanding service chair for Iota :)

MLITB,
Converse 

What was your MC class name? What was your MC name?

When did you cross? I pledged the Spring of 2003, while attending Angelo State University. My pledge class was Alpha Sigma. The tradition there was that our big sister would nickname us after third degree. My nickname is “Z.I.P.L.O.C.K.” which stands for zippy, independent, pretty, lovely, outrageous, courageous, and kinky. The caps, quotes, and periods are a family tradition. 

Who are your bigs? John Middleton and Ginger Hoppert Allen

Who are your littles? Nicole Gumke and Celeste Nugent Gollinger, Chris Farris and Kyle Keyes

 Where did you graduate high school? Red Oak HS, south of Dallas

Why did you choose Baylor? My voice teacher poached me after hearing me at a competition, and I already loved the campus from attending District Convention.

While at Baylor, where did you live? Allen dorms and then the Island with the Best Roomie Ever!!

What was your most difficult class? Music History. It was so terrible that last semester when I started my Master’s Degree, I had to take Remedial Music History!!!

What is your favorite place and tradition on the Baylor campus? I love being on Baylor campus, but my favorite ever is remembering my first football game. I was so excited to march in Floyd Casey that I even teared up a little. Okay, maybe a lot…

What did you play in BUGWB? Mello!!

Why did you decide to join Tau Beta Sigma? I am very passionate about sharing my love of music and supporting college bands is a great way to start!

What was your favorite Tau Beta event? I love a good rush event with my girlies!

With what degree did you graduate? Bachelor of Choral Music Education

What did you do with your degree? I’m flinging my Green and Gold afar!! And taught elementary music before staying home to wrestle two baby bears

What are you doing now/what do you want to continue doing? I am currently a research assistant at Baylor University researching the brain development of early childhood and how it affects their musical development. I am commuting from Dallas a few days a week. It is so inspiring to work with the little ones and watch their love for music grow! I have been married for six years to the most amazing big brother a Tau Beta could ask for, and we have two of the most intelligent and, of course, perfect children ever, Sera and Seth. They are also terribly brainwashed about Baylor. 

Tell us a funny/awesome Tau Beta story? While at National Convention with Mandie Rhodes McKenzie, Karen Miller told us a sad story of how her mother, Janet West Miller, had her Tau Beta Sigma National President ring stolen while having surgery. We decided to purchase a new ring for her and worked with the chapter to raise the funds. It truly is a wonderful feeling to do something for others.

Draw a picture of a turtle :)