The Colony - Zeta Tau Zeta / Lambda Chi Alpha

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THE ORIGINAL COLONY

It was back in the rugged winter of 1947 when the interior of the BOQ (?) was maintained at several degrees below the temperature of the great outdoors, that sentiment began to run strong from for a move from “The Great Icebox”. Several of the boys began to consider securing a house in town suitable for use by 10 or 12 guys on a co-operative basis. The results of the search for a house was discouraging but, in the mean, ‘the boys’ were becoming better acquainted.

An idea to form an unofficial ‘campus club’, for social purposes met an encouraging reception, and, as the idea took hold, more guys were enlisted into the project.

On the evening of May 22, 1947, about 20 young men met in the Science Hall of Stetson University and held the first formal meeting of the “Campus Club”. The Officers were John Richard Warren (Commander), Al Murray (Promoter), Pete Hendricks (Scribe), and C.W. Colson (Treasurer).

During the summer school session, the Campus Club was housed at 233 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Seven members lived in the house, which was the scene of club activities.

It was decided , as the summer progressed, that this was a compatible group, who enjoyed working and playing together. The desire to make a really permanent group expressed itself with the decision to form a new local fraternity with this present group as the nucleus.

From its conservative formation the new group expanded its social program, and entered school activities and intramural sports in the summer of 1947.

Zeta Tau 1 - Richard Warren

The Original Sigma Omega Colony

On June 30, 1947, the group became a social fraternity, adopting the name “Sigma Omega”, not for any special reason, but because the name sounded good to them. It set up investigating system, files, ritual, and adopted a charter and constitution. (Big) Dick Warren (Commander) was very instrumental in setting up and boosting the local to a good start. Final recognition of The Charter came on November 4, 1947. The desire to affiliate with some national organization caused the group to investigate into all the national fraternities as much as possible. It was believed that there should be another organization on the Stetson campus, other than those already established.

Announcement of intention to go Lambda Chi Alpha was made on April 10, 1948. Grand High Tau Ralph Smith, in the presence of members, dates, IFC guests, faculty, Lambda Chi Brothers from Florida Southern, and Traveling Secretary Ralph Newton made the surprise announcement that Sigma Omega had become a colony of Lambda Chi Alpha on May 1, 1947, at the Sigma Omega May Day Formal at the Naval Auditorium (presumably in nearby Sanford)

Sigma Omega had participated in all the intramural sports, and although we had lost many of our games, we were still up around the leaders compared with the other fraternities on campus. Early trophies came in tennis and ping pong. The local was leading all fraternities during the official School Scholastic Ration during the fall quarter of ’47, and was in second place during the winter quarter of ’48.

The group had been active in school functions, IFC, Homecoming festivities, social functions, and fraternity dances. Floats were entered into the ’47 and ’48 Homecoming Parades. The Sigma Omega float was featured in the ’48 Hatter University Annual.

After becoming a colony of Lambda Chi Alpha every man did his utmost to fulfill that desire to becoming a full-bodied chapter of the fraternity of our choice, Lambda Chi Alpha. Under the excellent direction and leadership of our two High Alphas, first Dick Warren ZT 1, then second High Alpha C.W. Colson, ZT 4. The Colony then grew from 20 member to 60 over a short period of time.

Zeta Tau was officially chartered as a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha on April 23, 1949.

NOTE: This bit of chapter history was handed down over the years and transcribed (with minor edits) to this site directly from the original piece of paper, upon which it was 'typed.'