By Ed Brizendine, Purdue '85
Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was established on the Purdue campus on November 20, 1920. The Lambda Chapter at Purdue University was the eleventh chapter of the rapidly expanding Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Founded by sophomore agricultural students, the Purdue chapter had its beginnings a year earlier as a local fraternity called Beta Xi Alpha. Along with the chartering of the chapter itself, 20 undergraduate men and 3 faculty advisors were initiated into the organization. An additional 13 men were initiated in the Spring of 1921. Purdue faculty member Captain (later Colonel) Frank W. Bryant, Purdue ‘20, advised the chapter through its initial years and continued to be greatly involved in the national organization throughout his life.
Always active in intramural sports, student government, community service, and philanthropic projects, the chapter brotherhood has had and continues to have a strong presence as leaders on the Purdue campus. For nearly 80 years the chapter had a strong physical presence on campus as well when its chapter house was located at 516 Northwestern Avenue. Now, Wang Hall, the house was located on prime property right across from the Purdue engineering mall. Built in 1927 the English Tudor-style house was designed by fellow brother and prominent architect Richard C. Lennox, Purdue ‘21. Whether wrapped with a red ribbon and bow during the Christmas season or enclosed in wooden timbers during its biennial “Fort Phi Tau”, the unique chapter house was well known across the campus.
During its 100 years, the Purdue chapter has initiated over 1,500 men into Phi Kappa Tau. While the number of active undergraduate men has fluctuated over the years, its core value of recruiting a select and diverse group of men of character has remained constant. It currently has 30 active members with a long-term goal of growing the membership to 60 brothers.
But the success of the fraternity isn’t just about its undergraduate brothers and its presence on the Purdue campus. It is also about its alumni. As they learned and honed during their undergraduate years, the alumni continue to be successful both as leaders in their professions and as active members in their communities. While a mark of distinction is conferred on all men initiated into Phi Kappa Tau, the fraternal friendships formed as undergraduates that grow into the unbreakable bonds as alumni are perhaps the true marks of being a fraternity man.
The Lambda Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau has lasted a century on the Purdue campus only through the enthusiasm of its undergraduates and the dedicated support of its alumni. The chapter will be recognizing this milestone event remotely this year due to the ongoing pandemic. A formal in-person celebration will take place sometime in the near future.
Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity is a national collegiate fraternity founded March 17, 1906, at Miami University. Its mission is to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership, and exemplary character. It has 80 active undergraduate chapters and 11 active colonies. Since its founding, it has developed over 100,000 men of character into Men of Distinction.