The Early Years (1931-1963)

On Monday, April 14, 1931, Mr. A.R. Sanson, Chairman of the National Extension Committee of Alpha Phi Omega, installed Tau as the 19th chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, which was only six years old and fewer than 800 total members. The ceremony was conducted at the University YMCA Building (near the present site of Dauer Hall). Our Chapter was signed by H. Roe Bartle, the second National President, succeeding incumbent Frank Reed Horton by vote at Alpha Phi Omega’s first National Convention on March 1-2. By that date, the Fraternity had 18 chapters. Tau was the first of 91 charters signed by H. Roe Bartle. The officers of The University of Florida Chapter were elected at a short meeting held after the installation.

The original founders of Tau Chapter were:

• William G. Perry (Grand Master)
• Howard Rybolt (Deputy Grand Master)
• Eugene Kester (Scribe)
• Richard W. Keyes (Treasurer)
• Robert Bennet
• Corbin Ballentine
• Francis Savage
• James Mitchell
• Owen Rice II
• Elisha Akin, Jr.
• Garner Anchors, Jr.
• William Myers
• Richard Sutton

At this time, Tau was known as an honorary professional education and social service fraternity. The Brotherhood met weekly. Its purpose was “to assemble those who have had training under the Scout Oath and Law, to develop friendship, leadership, character, citizenship, and good college spirit.”

Tau’s first Grand Master (President), William G. Perry, led eighteen members to quickly establish the Chapter as a leader of service at the University of Florida, then an all male school of six hundred students and only nine registered fraternities. All nineteen men were Eagle Scouts, as prerequisite for membership.

In the early years (1931 – 1950) Tau Chapter enjoyed tremendous notoriety on campus. With membership open to any former Scout, Tau Chapter assisted Florida Blue Key in producing Gator Growl and operated a book exchange. When the University enrollment dropped below 560 students during WWII, Tau was one of few organizations to stay active (with one member)! After the war, U.F. became co-ed, and with a new interest in universities, Tau quickly gained strength.

In 1932, Tau hosted a Scout Jamboree in the fall, where they awarded a medal to the high school boy in Florida who was the “best in scholarship, leadership, and other qualities.” In March of 1933, Tau was once again active in the Scouting Movement. Scout executives from Georgia and Florida attended a three-day Scout Executive Seminar designed “to aid the intellectual and cultural development of the men professionally engaged in the Scout Movement.” Among those in attendance were U.F. President, John J. Tigert, Arts and Sciences Dean W.h. Wilson, and Associate Professor of English, Winston A. Little.

In the 1930’s, Tau helped Florida Blue Key with Homecoming. Tau Chapter members charged townspeople money at intramural boxing matches, and thus it helped finance Gator Growl. In addition, Tau members parked cars of all 10,000 attending Gator Growl, and acted as ushers at Gator Growl in other years.

In January 1939, Tau advisor, Dr. H.H. Germond, was elected to the Executive Council of Alpha Phi Omega’s National Organization.

In 1946, Tau Chapter held its first King Ugly (precursor to Ugly Man on Campus or U.M.O.C.) contest to benefit the Red Cross. Organizations would sponsor candidates, and student would cast votes donating pennies for the “Ugliest” candidate. Proceeds went to a different philanthropy every year.

The Chapter organized and produced the first student run radio show, a nightly variety program on WGGG called “Variety Spotlight.” Other service projects included an infirmary visitation service, conducting information polls for the university, and the conducting of campus tours for new students, visitors, and alumni. The Chapter also conducted alumni registration boots at Homecoming.

In 1952 membership became open to any male student. In 1955, the Chapter was the sponsor of a German child through Save the Children Foundation. In 1956, Tau manned information booths for orientation and registration.

During the 1950’s, cooperation with Florida Blue Key faltered and the Chapter suffered from a lack of adult supervision. Few records remain of our activities, although we do know that the Chapter opened a Lost-and-Found Booth (1959 – 1963) raising money for scholarships.

Sometime around 1960, the Chapter began to change. We don’t have definitive records, but it is believed that Tau had become a political stepping stone to Blue Key and Student Government. Several of Tau’s presidents had become presidents of Blue Key and Student Government. Sometime after 1962, it was decided that Tau Chapter had lost sight of the purpose of Alpha Phi Omega and was deactivated by its brothers.