FRIENDS & FAMILY
A Path Re-Charted
2008-09 Members and 2009 Pledges 1976 Members of XO (courtesy of Tim Hogsett)
New Beginnings for a Historic Social Club C h i O mi c r on ( X O ) , a men’s social club established in 1957 and phased out around 1980, is experiencing a new beginning at McMurry with a group of men eager to keep the club’s legendary charisma alive. Re-chartered in the spring of 2008, its membership has already doubled. This past spring, the club had the second largest pledge class with nine new members inducted. XO’s history includes many stories of pledging and pranks that were not only unique but creative and humorous. Several of these stories have become legendary not only with the club members but around campus as well. Many alumni might recall the club’s participation in Tipi Village that included an alligator, a pump jack and a Cadillac, as well as numerous non-traditional tipis—an igloo, adobe huts, etc. Many of the men of XO graduated and entered professions ranging from science to business. Several alumni are responsible for scientific discoveries and technological advances with major corporations. Currently, XO’s new history is being charted in similar ways with members majoring in the sciences, social sciences and business. A large percentage of the members are student-athletes participating primarily in baseball and football. Today’s club embraces its history of non-traditional approaches to pledging and other 26
M c M urr y U niversit y
campus activities, but it has also developed its own uniqueness. While celebrating its history, the current club has adopted an identity of its own—the pirate. Known for its swashbuckling energy, the pirate’s code and strong brotherhood, XO has attracted new members to the club in search of a less restrictive membership organization and pledging. Members have also sought to establish the club as a service organization by attending Chapel and organizing workshops on enhancing alumni relations and giving to McMurry through social clubs. XO’s current structure and goals seem to be attracting today’s student, in contrast to the national trend of declining interclub membership. According to President Blake Ortiz, the club is interested in expanding this new course for XO on the McMurry campus with the help of alumni members. One such strategy is an opportunity to meet together at the XO Reunion as part of Homecoming 2009. Blake says that he “wants to celebrate the new beginning of today’s XO with the storied history of the past.” Former members should look for more information in club emails and mailings in the coming weeks.
