History

A Ninety Three Year Tradition in East Lansing

The organization that would become Phi Kappa Tau at Michigan State University was founded February 4, 1915. The Dorian Literary Society met in the old College Hall building until they obtained a house in 1920. In 1922, Michigan State (then Michigan Agricultural College) lifted its ban on national fraternities and the Dorians began to look for a national affiliation. By this time the Society already had 43 undergraduate and 103 alumni members. In 1923, the Dorians petitioned Phi Kappa Tau for a charter. It was granted May 16, 1924 and the 25th Phi Tau chapter, Alpha Alpha, was founded. Despite surviving the Great Depression, the chapter closed temporarily during World War II and the university took over the house as dormitory. It reopened shortly after the war. In 1956, the old house was sold, and in 1959 the Phi Taus purchased a new residence. The social climate of the 60's caused a decreased interest in fraternities, and the chapter closed and the house was sold in 1972.

Towards the end of 1984, the National Fraternity expressed an interest in reopening Alpha Alpha. A search began for prospective members, and alumni looked for a suitable chapter house. A house was found at 526 Sunset. Out of the initial interest group of 32, twenty outstanding men were initiated and the chapter's charter was officially reinstated on April 5, 1986. The chapter expanded rapidly and soon outgrew the house on Sunset. A new house was purchased at 243 Louis St. in 1991. This house was eventually sold and Alpha Alpha continued at 214 Charles until moving to 330 Harrison and in the Fall of 2004 and ultimately closing its doors again in 2006.

In the Spring of 2014, Phi Kappa Tau's expansion team once again looked to the banks of the Red Cedar with the goal of breathing life back into it's 25th chapter. Alpha Alpha would re-colonize on October 16th of that year and quickly make strides towards obtaining a charter by moving into 334 Evergreen in the Spring and expanding quickly. This house was let go in favor of 404 Evergreen where the colony was able to further its growth through large Gamma and Delta Associate classes. The fraternity then split its real estate holdings between Beal St and Spartan Ave before finally reaching its goal of chartering for the third time on January 21, 2017. In early March of the same year, the fraternity laid claim to 131 Bogue St and secured one of the largest rush classes at Michigan State. Alpha Alpha continues to thrive and plans on calling 120 Spartan Avenue home starting in Fall of 2018.