History of the Alpha Tau Chapter
Initial Roots
The Alpha Tau colony of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity was initially installed as a chapter on October 25, 1930; however, its roots go back to the turn of the century.
In 1901, a group of young men who roomed together decided to associate themselves on the basis of friendship, and in 1906, they incorporated as the Skull Fraternity. In 1908, the Skull Fraternity purchased a home at 96 Wait Avenue and became widely known at Cornell for their interest in campus activity.
In the fall of 1902, eight Cornell students started the second branch of Alpha Tau at 110 Osmun Place. Their purpose was to form an organization that enjoyed the advantages of a fraternity but none of its less desirable features, a recurring theme in the founding of virtually every other fraternity. They named their organization Bandhu, a Sanskrit word that means Good Fellowship, the promotion of which was the primary objective of the society.
Built on a foundation of scholarship and good fellowship, Bandhu prospered, soon secured a home at the corner of Seneca and Stewart, and then incorporated as Bandhu in 1908. In 1910, the members raised $3,000 and were given the opportunity to purchase a home at 106 The Knoll, belonging to Professor Tanner, a Cornell professor who was impressed by the society’s sincerity, spirit, and scholarship. This is the current home of the Alpha Tau chapter.
Skull and Bandhu grew independently, without either house considering merger or affiliation with a national fraternity. On April 7, 1906, Bandhu even adopted the following motion: “That the policy of Bandhu Society be that of a close organization involving permanency.” During the first 15 years, both organizations had great success. But after World War I, most fraternities closed, and many disbanded. The expenses were too much for the small active bodies of Skull and Bandhu; the house on The Knoll was made into a naval barracks and the Skull home on Wait Avenue was rented to a sorority.
Birth and Continuation of Alpha Tau
In 1918, Bandhu adopted Greek letters and became Phi Delta Sigma (which lives on in the name of our Housing Corporation). Shortly afterward, Phi Delta Sigma and Skull united. Since the University was buying property for future expansion on Wait Avenue, the Skull house was sold and the new fraternity settled in the house on the Knoll, bringing together strong and loyal alumni members and good records in scholarship and campus activity. For 12 years, Phi Delta Sigma existed as a local fraternity. In early 1930, Phi Delta Sigma chose to join the tradition of Phi Kappa Tau. The petition was granted at the 1930 convention and installation ceremonies were conducted from October 23-25, 1930, giving birth to the Alpha Tau chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
In 1943, with the United States entering World War II, undergraduate men were again called on to defend our country. In June 1943, Alpha Tau became inactive, and alumni James Pond and Eugene Montillon preserved the resources until the members returned in the fall of 1946, when eight members reactivated the chapter. In that academic year, the chapter grew to thirty men. The house underwent extensive redecorating inside and out. The chapter closed its door twice and survived each time with larger and stronger alumni support to give it strength and continuity.
Alpha Tau existed at Cornell all the way up to 1994-95, when numbers had dwindled to 10 members. The National Fraternity and the Graduate Council decided it would be best to close down and start anew in a few years. The house was rented out to the Big Red Band during this time.
Refounding
Alpha Tau was reactivated in the halls of Mary Donlon Hall in January 2000, after a group of men, most of whom resided on the second floor, ended up not joining a fraternity after Spring Rush. After rush ended, they got in touch with two staff from the National Fraternity, Gabriel Uebel and Chris Winkelmann, and met to discuss what both groups wanted in a fraternity. They decided that a fraternity should have the common goals of becoming an outstanding chapter academically, socially, and philanthropically while promoting the ideals of gentlemanly behavior in its members. This small group of 11 grew to over 20, and in March, the new members of the Alpha Tau colony were associated.
Even as a colony, Alpha Tau succeeded in reaching its goals. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs of Cornell University recognized the men with five awards in 2001, including Outstanding Chapter. The Alpha Tau colony also won the Fletemeyer Award for Outstanding Colony in Phi Tau national.
In the fall of 2001, the men of Alpha Tau moved back into 106 The Knoll. On September 29, after much hard work and dedication, the 37 members of Alpha Tau were initiated as brothers of Phi Kappa Tau. With the signing of the charter, the Alpha Tau colony became the Alpha Tau chapter.
Over the next few years, the chapter grew to around 50 men, was recognized on campus for its non-hazing new member program, achieved the top GPA among Cornell fraternities and Phi Tau chapters for four years, and built its rush and philanthropy programs. The awards piled up even as the men tried to keep them in perspective and find a balance between fun and duty. Several chapter presidents were named outstanding campus officers. From 2004 to 2006, the chapter was a finalist for the Maxwell Award as outstanding chapter in national Phi Tau, winning the trophy in the Centennial Year of 2006. The chapter had IFC officers, the managing editor of the Cornell Daily Sun, the Hillel president, and other campus leaders.
In the past 100 or so years, Skull, Bandhu, Phi Delta Sigma, and Alpha Tau of Phi Kappa Tau have been a large part of Cornell’s history, and we intend to continue our tradition of excellence.