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:
Zeta Beta Tau scrapbooks, 1948 - 1949, 1950 - 1951, 1951 - 1952, 1956 - 1957, 1959 - 1960, 1961 - 1962, 1976 - 1977
A collection of oversize scrapbooks from Washington and Lee University's Zeta Beta Tau (Z.B.T.) fraternity documenting student life, various annual university and fraternity specific events such as Homecoming Weekend, Fancy Dress, home football games, concerts, Mock Convention, fraternity social events, membership, and pledgeship. Scrapbooks include original photographs, artwork, clippings, and ephemera. There are nine scrapbooks between the years 1948 adn 1977.