Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Alpha Tau Omega (ΑΤΩ), commonly known as ATO, is an American social fraternity. It was founded on September 11, 1865, at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, by Otis Allan Glazebrook, Erskine Mayo Ross, and Alfred Marshall. The fraternity is noted for being the first Greek-letter college fraternity established in the United States after the American Civil War, with a focus on Christian brotherly love to facilitate reconciliation between the North and South.

Founding Purpose

The founders, who were all cadets at VMI and had served as soldiers in the Confederate army, aimed to create an institution that could promote unity and peace among young men in the post-war era. The fraternity's founding is a significant part of American history, marking the beginning of Greek life in the old Confederacy[1][2].

Organization and Activities

Alpha Tau Omega has over 229,000 lifetime members and around 7,000 active members across more than 125 chapters and four colonies in the United States. The fraternity does not have any international chapters or affiliations. It operates a non-profit organization, The ATO Foundation, which provides scholarships to its members[1].

Creed and Mission

The Alpha Tau Omega Creed, written by Otis Allan Glazebrook in 1880, emphasizes the importance of brotherhood based on eternal principles. It calls for men to stand together against evil, teaching morals rather than politics and recognizing merit without partisan bias[4]. The fraternity's motto is "λοπ εψιλον πι" and its slogan is "Love & Respect."[1]

Symbols and Traditions

Alpha Tau Omega's colors are Azure Blue and Old Gold, and its flower is the White Tea Rose. The fraternity publishes The Palm and is part of the Lexington Triad, alongside Kappa Alpha Order and Sigma Nu[1].

Historical Challenges

In its early years, the fraternity faced challenges, including a period where most chapters were inactive. However, through leadership and restructuring efforts, Alpha Tau Omega was revitalized and reorganized, establishing a new constitution and rituals in the late 19th century[2]. VMI cadets are no longer associated with the fraternity due to a 1885 ruling by the VMI Board of Visitors that prohibited cadet involvement in fraternities[1].