Tejas Club

The Tejas Club was formed in 1925 by Tom Renfro and Howell Cobb with the vision of establishing "a club on this campus composed of men whom we believe to be honorable."{{cite web|url=http://tejasclub.org/history-1/|title=Tejas Club - History}}

In its early years, Tejas was associated with Theta Nu Epsilon (ΘΝΕ), a nationwide sophomore class society which also included such organizations as Skull and Bones at Yale University, The Phoenix – S K Club and Fly Club at Harvard University, and The Ivy Club at the Princeton University.Theta Nu Epsilon

Similar to the Final Clubs at Harvard University, the process for becoming a "Newman" is highly secretive and not shared with non-members. Each class of Newmen typically consists of anywhere from 6 to 12 members, who are publicly honored at their Newman Honorary, a public event held at the Tejas House.

Tejas members have always been a highly involved and diverse group of men at the University of Texas. Multiple members of the Tejas Club have served as student body presidents and vice presidents, head cheerleaders, Texas Cowboys, Silver Spurs, Texas Blazers, members of another secret organization, the Friar Society, leadership within the Longhorn Band, chairmen of the University Union board of directors, and many other important roles on campus.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2014/02/28/rady-and-strickland-elected-student-government-president-and-vice-president|title=Rady, Strickland elected Student Government president, vice president in tight contest}}{{cite web|url=http://dailytexanonline.com/news/2011/09/16/ut-organizations-rally-to-rename-student-activity-center|title=UT organizations rally to rename Student Activity Center}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2011/04/05/a-farewell-from-student-government|title=A farewell from Student Government}}{{cite web|url=http://www.texasexes.org/about/heritage/index.asp?p=540|title=History and Traditions|work=Texas Exes}}{{cite web|url=http://dailytexanonline.com/news/2013/02/14/student-government-profile-horacio-villarreal-and-ugeo-williams|title=Student Government Profile: Horacio Villarreal and Ugeo Williams}}{{cite web|url=https://www.utexas.edu/universityunions/info/university-unions-board|title=University Unions Board of Directors}}{{cite web| url = https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2019/03/08/camron-goodman-amie-jean-named-student-body-president-vice-president-by-overwhelming| title = Camron Goodman, Amie Jean named student body president, vice president by overwhelming majority of students – The Daily Texan}}

The Tejas Club celebrated its Centennial anniversary on April 4,5, 6 and 2025.{{cite web|url=http://www.tejasalumni.org/events/event_details.asp?id=402908|title=Tejas Foundation}}{{cite web|url=http://jimnicar.com/links/why-is-there-a-tejas-club-2/|title=Why is there a Tejas Club?|work=The UT History Corner}}

Since the early 1930s, the Tejas Club has hosted a weekly speaker series called Tejas Coffees. As is tradition, Tejas Coffees serve as an opportunity for students to interact with influential members of their community in an inviting setting, every Thursday evening. Recent speakers have included UT professor and actor Matthew McConaughey, Texas Longhorns athletics coaches Mack Brown, Rick Barnes, Shaka Smart,{{cite web| url = http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2019/10/18/freshmen-adjust-to-new-life-as-student-athletes| title = Freshmen adjust to new life as student-athletes – The Daily Texan}} Tom Herman,{{cite web| url = http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2017/02/24/hundreds-cram-into-tejas-houses-front-yard-to-see-tom-herman| title = Hundreds cram into Tejas House's front yard to see Tom Herman – The Daily Texan}} and Augie Garrido; Former World No. 1 tennis player, Andy Roddick;{{cite web| url = http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2019/03/10/students-come-together-to-hear-from-tennis-player-andy-roddick-at-tejas-coffee| title = Students come together to hear from tennis player Andy Roddick at Tejas Coffee – The Daily Texan}} UT professors Robert Metcalfe, H.W. Brands, and Larry Speck; and former UT presidents William C. Powers and Larry Faulkner; former University of Texas System chancellor Mark Yudof; former Secretary of the Air Force Hans Mark; former National Security Agency director Bobby Ray Inman; NASA Astronaut, Michael A. Baker; Celebrity Chef, Tyson Cole;{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PrWNKlDqU/ | title=Tyson Cole on Instagram: "Fantastic time at the distinguished speaker series at the Tejas Club!" }} Cyclist Lance Armstrong,{{cite web| url = https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2015/10/02/tejas-club-hosts-lance-armstrong-in-weekly-speaker-series| title = Tejas Club hosts Lance Armstrong in weekly speaker series – The Daily Texan}} and Texas politicians Beto O'Rourke,{{cite web| url = https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2017/09/25/beto-orourke-tells-students-about-his-life-plans-for-immigration-reform| title = Beto O'Rourke tells students about his life, plans for immigration reform – The Daily Texan}} Wendy Davis, James Talarico, Christi Craddick, Kel Seliger, and Carole Keeton Strayhorn among others.{{cite web |url=http://mo.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outandabout/entries/2009/09/09/the_tejas_club.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-04-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195809/http://mo.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/outandabout/entries/2009/09/09/the_tejas_club.html |archive-date=2013-10-29 }}

Many notable alumni of the University of Texas are Tejas Braves. The Tejas Foundation was created in 1953 to establish communication between former and current members of the club. To this day, the alumni of Tejas continue to be involved with helping the club provide housing, encourage scholarship, and organize various events.{{cite web |url=http://tejasclub.org/foundationabout/ |title=Tejas Club | About |access-date=2013-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123004910/http://tejasclub.org/foundationabout/ |archive-date=2013-11-23 }}

Alumni of the Tejas Club include:

• Michael A. Baker, Navy Pilot and NASA Astronaut
• Harley Clark, judge, attorney, and creator of the "Hook 'em Horns" hand sign{{cite web |title=Texas Longhorns Athletics - Traditions: Hook 'em, Horns hand signal |url=http://texassports.com/sports/2013/7/28/traditions_0728135417.aspx?id=270}}
• Frank C. Cooksey, former Mayor of Austin, Texas
• Robert H. Dedman Sr., founder and chairman of ClubCorp and owner of the Pinehurst Resort{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016181/index.htm |title=If Robert Dedman, the richest man in golf, did so much to - 06.14.99 - SI Vault |website=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061704/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016181/index.htm |archive-date=2014-02-22}} {{Cite news |date=21 August 2002 |title=Robert Dedman, 76, Dallas Philanthropist |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/21/obituaries/21DEDM.html}}
• Ronnie Earle, politician and judge who was district attorney for Travis County, Texas
• Michael L. Gillette, author, historian, and non-profit executive{{Cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/lifestyles/oral-history-rekindles-lady-bird-johnsons-voice/nTHTx/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-04-16 |archive-date=2016-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316145139/http://www.statesman.com/news/lifestyles/oral-history-rekindles-lady-bird-johnsons-voice/nTHTx/ |url-status=dead }}Michael L Gillette
• Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, author and professor of American Literature at the University of Texas at Austin
• W. Page Keeton, attorney and dean of the University of Texas School of Law{{cite web|url=http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/1999-2000/memorials/Keeton/keeton.html|title=Office of the General Faculty Home Page}}{{cite web|url=http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/exhibits/early_deans/keeton.html|title=Tarlton Law Library - First Year Societies- online exhibit}}W. Page Keeton
• Royce C. Lamberth, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia{{cite web|url=http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/dcd/lamberth|title=Chief Judge Royce C Lamberth|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707053848/http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/dcd/lamberth|archive-date=2010-07-07}}{{cite web|url=http://endowments.giving.utexas.edu/page/lamberth-judge-roycetejas-schl/3925/|title=Judge Royce C. Lamberth/Tejas Scholarship}}Royce C. Lamberth
• Austin Ligon, co-founder and former president and CEO of CarMax{{cite web|url=http://www.utexas.edu/cola/progs/plan2/news/1180|title=UT College of Liberal Arts|date=12 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://lifeandletters.la.utexas.edu/2011/11/to-the-moon/|title=To the Moon ‹ Life & Letters Magazine}}Austin Ligon
• Steve Poizner, Insurance Commissioner of California{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/590/000207966/|title=Steve Poizner}}Steve Poizner
• Thomas Morrow Reavley, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit{{cite web |title=Reavley, Thomas Morrow - Federal Judicial Center |url=https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/reavley-thomas-morrow}}Thomas Morrow Reavley
• Rex Tillerson, United States Secretary of State and president and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corporation{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/rex-tillerson/|title=Rex Tillerson|author=Christopher Helman|work=Forbes}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0-MDAAAAMBAJ&q=rex+tillerson+tejas&pg=PA47|title=The Alcalde|date=November 2007}}Rex Tillerson
• Malcolm Wallace, economist for the United States Department of Agriculture and press secretary to then-United States Senator Lyndon B. Johnson{{cite web |url=http://www.golftexas.com/departments/coursereviews/butler-pitch-putt.htm |title=Butler Pitch and Putt in Austin: Murder in the clubhouse, fun on the golf course |last1=Dalton |first1=Kyle |website=www.golftexas.com |access-date=June 16, 2014}}{{cite news |author= |date=October 24, 1951 |title=TU EX-Student Leader Jailed In Slaying; Malcolm E. Wallace Charged in Death of Golf Professional |page=1 |work=Valley Morning Star |location=Harlingen, Texas}}{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Garth |date=August 14, 1985 |title=Federal Official's Death Certificate Ordered Changed |page=8A |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate |agency=AP |location=Victoria, Texas |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l1wdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6821%2C3251761 |access-date=June 16, 2014}}

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• {{Official|http://tejasclub.org/}}

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