Washington and Lee University. Zeta Beta Tau
Biography
The Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Beta Tau was founded at Washington and Lee on February 20, 1920. The fraternity was created from the Gamma Gamma Club for Jewish students. Six Jewish students made up the first class of brothers. Zeta Beta Tau was the first Jewish fraternity at Washington and Lee until the founding of Phi Epsilon Pi later that fall. Zeta Beta Tau grew as the Jewish student population grew at the university. Starting in the 1969-70 school year, the other Jewish fraternity at Washington and Lee. Phi Epsilon Pi, merged with Zeta Beta Tau. The Jewish student population declined starting in the 1960s at Washington and Lee. Thus, the amount of Zeta Beta Tau members also declined starting at this point. Also, national fraternities across the United States removed bans on non-Christian students from becoming members of fraternities. With that, Jewish students at Washington and Lee chose to join fraternities other than Zeta Beta Tau. Zeta Beta Tau closed at the end of the 1988-89 school year due to low membership.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Neil November collection
This collection holds documents related to Mr. November’s time at Washington and Lee associated with the fraternity he belonged to: the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Beta Tau. He was the cartoonist for the national Zeta Beta Tau organization from 1948 to 1950, while also drawing cartoons for local publications in Rockbridge County and for fraternal events. Included are sketches, finished products, and correspondence about his work as a cartoonist and official Zeta Beta Tau publication.