Alpha Tau Omega Study Guide: Chapters 1 Through 7

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the founders, history, Creed, insignia, heraldry, national governance, chapter offices, and historical milestones from older book chapters 1 through 7 of the Alpha Tau Omega Study Guide.

The Creed of Alpha Tau Omega

A 1880 statement written by Otis Allan Glazebrook articulating the fraternity's foundation upon eternal and immutable principles, brotherly love across sectional boundaries, supremacy of good over evil, and the elevation of man worldwide.

Otis Allan Glazebrook

Founder of Alpha Tau Omega who conceived the original idea, authored the original constitution and ritual, wrote the Creed in 1880, and served as the visionary leader.

Alfred Marshall

Co-founder of Alpha Tau Omega, first captain of the VMI Cadet Corps, and the energetic doer who put early ideas into action.

Erskine Mayo Ross

Co-founder of Alpha Tau Omega who served as a federal judge, founded the city of Glendale, California, provided practical order and judgment, and bequeathed $5,000 to help establish the Foundation fund.

September 11, 1865

The exact date Alpha Tau Omega was founded at Otis Allan Glazebrook's home at 114 East Clay Street in Richmond, Virginia.

Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

The Lexington, Virginia military college where ATO established its first chapter, Virginia Alpha.

Immutable

Unchanging; used in the Creed to describe the eternal principles upon which the fraternity is founded.

Partisanship

Blindly favoring a faction or side; contrasted in the Creed with the recognition of true merit wherever found.

Alpha Tau Omega: The Positive Experience

The official book title of the older member manual for Alpha Tau Omega.

Signature Event

A distinctive, nonsocial chapter event characterized by a constructive public purpose that benefits the chapter, campus, or community.

Phired Up

A recruitment education resource referenced by Alpha Tau Omega to train chapters on membership recruitment.

FIPG

A historical risk-management organization and acronym referenced in older fraternity educational materials.

Flat Hat Club

An early informal collegiate club organized at the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1750.

Phi Beta Kappa

The first Greek-letter fraternity, founded by John Heath in 1776.

Union College

The educational institution known as the Mother of Fraternities, where the Union Triad originated.

Lexington Triad

The group of three national fraternities founded in Lexington, Virginia: Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, and Sigma Nu.

Union Triad

The group of three early fraternities founded at Union College: Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi.

Miami Triad

The group of three fraternities founded at Miami University: Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and Sigma Chi.

Alumnus

A single male graduate or former collegiate member of a fraternity (plural: alumni).

Alumna

A single female graduate or former collegiate member of a sorority or women's fraternity (plural: alumnae).

Joseph R. Anderson

Known as ATO's Second Founder; led the fraternity's revival at the 1878 Congress and founded The ATO Palm in 1880.

The Sixth Congress (1878)

The pivotal Baltimore meeting that reconstructed ATO, producing a revised constitution, ritual, cipher, membership directory, the High Council, and The ATO Palm.

Tennessee Omega

The ATO chapter at the University of the South (Sewanee) that received the fraternity's first chapter house in 1880, a donated university library.

Tau Chapter

The ATO chapter founded at the University of Pennsylvania in 1881, noted as the first chapter established north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Alpha Sigma Chapter

The ATO chapter established at Oregon State in 1882, recognized as the first fraternity chapter in the Northwest.

Thomas Arkle Clark

The first collegiate dean of men (serving 31 years at the University of Illinois), who twice served as Worthy Grand Chief and High Chancellor of ATO.

November Massacre

The historical nickname for the sharp staff reductions made by ATO in November 1974 during a national financial crisis.

LeaderShape

The premier leadership development institute founded by Alpha Tau Omega in 1986 to train college students and young professionals.

Help Week

A constructive program of community service initiated in 1950 by Robert Lollar at Indiana University to replace traditional Hell Week hazing.

Laurel Wreath Award

The highest recognition awarded by the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) for outstanding fraternity programming, received by ATO for its Roadshow and spiritual development initiatives.

N. Wiley Thomas

Early ATO leader designated by Otis Allan Glazebrook as the St. Paul of ATO for his extensive work in expanding and strengthening northern chapters.

Cross pattée

The precise heraldic design chosen by Otis Allan Glazebrook for the Alpha Tau Omega membership badge.

White Tea Rose

The official fraternity flower of Alpha Tau Omega, adopted in 1892.

The ATO Palm

The official national magazine of Alpha Tau Omega, established in 1880 under Joseph R. Anderson.

Richard N. Brooke

The member who painted Alpha Tau Omega's Grand Seal in 1872.

William C. Smiley

The designer of the official Alpha Tau Omega flag in 1914.

Otto W. Carpenter

The designer of the Alpha Tau Omega pledge pin, approved in 1896.

Worthy Grand Chief

The ceremonial title of the National President of Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Grand Marshal

The ceremonial title of the National Vice President of Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Grand Exchequer

The ceremonial title of the National Treasurer of Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Grand Chaplain

The ceremonial title of the National Chaplain of Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Master

The ceremonial title of the chapter president in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Marshal

The ceremonial title of the chapter vice president in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Chaplain

The ceremonial title of the chapter chaplain in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Keeper of Exchequer

The ceremonial title of the chapter treasurer in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Scribe

The ceremonial title of the chapter secretary in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Keeper of Annals

The ceremonial title of the chapter historian in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Usher

The ceremonial title of the chapter sergeant at arms in Alpha Tau Omega.

Worthy Sentinel

The ceremonial title of the chapter doorkeeper in Alpha Tau Omega.

True Merit Chapter Award

A national honor given to chapters that demonstrate overall operational excellence, strong member development, and high standard adherence, without an arbitrary limit on recipients.

Thomas Arkle Clark Award

The highest individual honor given to a graduating senior in ATO recognizing character, academic achievement, leadership, and service to fraternity ideals.

Erskine Mayo Ross Impact Award

A national award recognizing outstanding community service, philanthropy, and charitable contributions by an ATO chapter.

Mullets

The heraldic term for star-shaped figures appearing on the Alpha Tau Omega coat of arms and crest.

Torse

The twisted band or ribbon located beneath the crest and above the shield in heraldry.

Life Loyal Tau

An alumni recognition and support program that includes a lifetime subscription to The ATO Palm and ongoing fraternity benefits.