About Theta Chi - Alpha Tau

In the Spring of 1919 a group of young men of Ohio University, having common interests and likings, banded together for the purpose of securing a wider range of social life. The organization thus formed was known as the Ohio Commons Club. While the Club officially began in the Spring of 1919 it was not until October of the same year that it began actual operation. Emmett Rowles, now Professor of Biology at Ohio University, was elected first president of the Club and through his leadership the organization went forward rapidly. The need of proper meeting quarters was early met, when Dr. Ellis, then president of Ohio University, gave his consent for the use of the basement of the Carnegie Library for the purpose. These quarters continued to be used by the Club for about a year, or until it was found convenient to secure a more suitable place.

From the very beginning the Ohio Commons Club began to make its existence on the Ohio campus felt, by sending its members forward into all branches of campus activities. This policy continued and when the club became Alpha Tau Chapter of Theta Chi not one fraternity at Ohio held more campus honors than did this group. In addition to activities the Club stressed scholarship and excelled in this field, as well as in the former.

In 1920 the organization began to feel that it was ready to develop into a Greek letter fraternity or a chapter of one. Theta Chi was petitioned for a charter and everyone united in making the effort successful. The activity program became heavier and the high scholastic standing consistently maintained. In this year, on January 1, 1922, it moved into its new quarters located at 75 East State Street. The Ohio Commons Club here, having not yet secured a charter in Theta Chi, changed its name to Gamma Sigma.  Gamma Sigma became Alpha Tau Chapter of Theta Chi May 9, 1925, when the two day induction exercises came to a close. The installation committee consisted of: Carle M. Bigelow, Eta; Frederick W. Ladue, Iota; Maxwell E. McDowell, Iota; George Starr Lasher, Alpha Gamma; Walter Ludwig, Iota; James G. Lewis, Alpha Xi; B. G. Reeder, Alpha Kappa; W. B. Smith, Alpha Beta; A. R. Weed, Alpha Mu; John G. Hamlin, Alpha Lambda; A. B. Bray, Alpha Kappa; R. C. Cristie, Alpha Beta, and Mortimer Bishop, Alpha Gamma.

The installation banquet, formally ending the ceremonies of admission was held at the Varsity Inn on Saturday evening, May 9th. The occasion was made into an all university affair, in that representatives of the administration, the faculty, and members of the several sororities and fraternities, and other campus organizations were among the three hundred that participated. Carle M. Bigelow acted as toastmaster. President Bryan of Ohio University, an old friend of Theta Chi at Colgate, welcomed the new chapter to the campus. National Secretary Ladue then spoke, followed by talks by James M. Lewis, Russell T. Tubaugh of Alpha Tau, and National Chaplain M. E. McDowell. Representatives of the carious campus organizations as well as those of visiting chapters extended greetings. Since its induction into Theta Chi, Alpha Tau has consistently stood high in both scholarship and campus activities. A trophy is offered the fraternity, at Ohio, that makes the highest yearly scholastic average.

For eight consecutive years Alpha Tau has won this cup.