ATO Eta Mu Chapter History

The Beginning

Upon entering Florida Atlantic University, a group of men were impressed with the idea and need for some type of social, academic, and athletic organization to be active on the F.A.U. campus.

Buddy Blount, David Hennessee, Ernie Rushing, Ed Whalen, Barry Boseman, Kent Maltby, Rann Thomas, and Mac Wright decided to form a Fraternal Organization at Florida Atlantic. A meeting was arranged for January 17, 1968 at the home of Brother Ernie Rushing.

Brothers Thomas and Blount discovered that there was a Brother of Alpha Tau Omega on the faculty of the College of Business (Brother Paul Preston). They discussed with him their intentions for starting a Fraternal Organization and asked if Brother Preston would represent them as Faculty Sponsor/Advisor. Brother Preston's faculty status was important to gain admission to the Inter-Organizational Council which would allow ATO Club to be recognized on campus. Brother Preston agreed to sponsor the ATO Club and attended the organizational meeting held on January 17, 1968.

Results of this meeting were election of officers; President Buddy Blount, Vice President David Hennessee, Secretary Ernie Rushing, Treasurer Ed Whalen, Sgt. at Arms Mac Wright, Historian Kent Maltby, Social Chair Barry Boseman, and Chaplain Rann Thomas. It was decided to present an article in the Atlantic Sun school newspaper inviting all interested persons and Brothers of Alpha Tau Omega to attend an informal meeting on February 7, 1968 this was the first official membership meeting of the ATO Club.

On February 14th, membership applications were accepted and on Feb. 16 invitations were mailed for the first Rush Smoker on Feb. 23rd. Following the party, on Feb. 25, a bid meeting was held and on Feb. 26 bids were sent out.

On the 28th of February, 1968, ATO Club began its first pledge class. The members of this pledge class were inducted into the "Brotherhood" in March 1968. Those Brothers were Wayne Berrier, Nick Cicchitto, Skip Day, Gary G. Gandy, Rick Gerdus, George Hicks, David Howes, Floyd Humphreys, Irwin Jacobson, Dan Kirk, Don Lee, Ed Mandt, Rick Nisbeth, Jerry Novak, Jim Riley, Rick Russel, Gene Sacco, Mike Spangler, and Wayne Thomann. This was the foundation of the ATO Club.

Later in 1968, ATO threw the first of many Beach Blasts with over 1,000 people in attendence. The Beach Blast was the biggest social event in F.A.U. history and ATO Club went on to win the coveted IOC Most Active Club Award at F.A.U.

Fall 1968 began with another fine pledge class from which 17 new names were added to the growing membership. In October, "Brothers" attended a meeting of the National Inter-Fraternity Council, and persuaded its members to remove their ban on National Fraternities at two year institutions.

Armed with this success, ATO and a womens' social group (AB) petitioned the Faculty Senate to lift their ban on National Social Fraternities at F.A.U.. At their November meeting the Senate decided to overturn their ban, which allowed ATO Club to begin negotiations with the National Headquarters of Alpha Tau Omega to become a Chapter here in South Florida.

A petition and the necessary arrangements were made and on January 15, 1969 ATO Club submitted their petition to the National Headquarters (exactly one year and two days from the time of their first organizational meeting).

Since that time, many Brothers have been initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter of Florida Atlantic University.

The past, present, and future Brothers of this Chapter would like to thank everyone involved in making this Chapter an effective organization which seeks peace and true BROTHERHOOD, for all mankind, as the Founding Fathers intended.