Exclusive 1994 College Christmas Gift Guide Inside! University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY December 8, 1994
The Student Voice Since 1903
`In memory of Fraternity members mourn the loss of a brother By David Hanigar
Copy Editor
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rom behind the door, the alarm clock had moaned for almost an hour. Through a crack under the door, a hand spotted with blood could be seen. "It's just paint, because he worked construction," roommates had convinced each other the night before—curious about the light remaining on. "The old heater vent connects the rooms." thought Eric Tobin, roommate/friend. Pulling a towel from in front of the vent unveiled a face, eyes and mouth wide open, blood trickled from the mouth. Moments later, a kick to the door revealed a nightmare to a large number of people—many of them UCO students and alumni. Chris Williams, UCO student and member of the UCO chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity (ATO), was found dead in his room around 8:30 a.m. Dec. 5 with a shotgun wound to the chest. The shotgun lay beside him, a cleaning rod protruding from one barrel. Williams lived in a rent house behind ATO property with other UCO students and fraternity members. A gunshot was heard the night before,
Editorial 2 Letters 2 World Wrap 8 Around Campus 19 Sports 6-7 Comics 19
anyone that knew him," said Ryan He was the guy Duke, a best friend that always made and roommate of people laugh—who Williams. The night before, had one of the best Duke and Williams personalities in the joked and talked of house. When you being future roommates. Williams held think of a good, the cleaning rod as down-to-earth guy they spoke. Duke was that is everybody's the last one to see him best friend, he was it. alive. Fraternity brothers labeled Williams a —Aaron Montgomery leader. A "trendsetATO Chapter President Christopher S. Williams ter" described him well, they said. but friends and roommates said they did"If you ever had a party, he was the n't think much of it. one that everyone always wanted to be "With seven guys in the house, some- around," said Tobin Stives, ATO member thing like that, a real loud noise in the and friend/roommate to Williams. house, isn't anything unusual," said Zane Gian Santoro, roommate/friend to Swanson,ATO member and friend/room- Williams and ATO member, agreed. He mate to Williams. labeled him "an original." he police investigators would"He had his own style. He was always n't rule out murder or suicide. ahead of everyone else. ATO members, however, "He's the kind of guy that could wear believe it to be an accident. things anyone else would look like a dork "Chris was too full of life. He always in and make it look cool." had a smile on his face and was always To members and alumni, Williams was there for anyone that needed him. a motivator. "No way did Chris kill himself. The fraternity house, used for almost There's no question in my mind that it 20 years, will be sold and a new building wasn't a suicide, and I speak on behalf of built. Williams was largely responsible,
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SPORTS
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Bronchos basketball has not been treated kindly with a track of 2-3, but the competitive spirit rages on.
EXTRA
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Pages 9-12 is a non-advertising supplement highlighting trendy holiday gifts around Edmond for under $100!
said Robert Bratton, vice president of the ATO housing corporation and chairman of the board of trustees. "Chris has been one of the people who has pushed the alumni association to try to get us organized and start this thing. It's just too sad for his family and for our family that he won't be around to see it," he said. The lot was purchased Dec. 3, two days before William's death. Fraternity members celebrated the purchase Dec. 4 by erecting a sign on the new property. "There were a lot of happy guys there yesterdayand he was one of the happiest," Bratton said Monday. he ATO fraternity is what friends said meant most to Williams. He wouldn't put an ATO sticker on his windshield because he thought his car didn't deserve it, said Aaron Montgomery, ATO president. Montgomery classified him as "a diehard ATO." Swanson agreed. "One time he told me that if the house caught on fire...if he had to grab one thing, it would be his pin (ATO badge)," he said. Williams held the office of pledge educator, managing and guiding those interested in joining the fraternity. But to members of the fraternity, he was much more.
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GRADUATES
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Here it is! The listing of the graduating class of 1994, compiled by the UCO certification office.