Alpha Phi Tau Fraternity

Official Website of Alpha Phi Tau Men's Fraternity

http://www.aptonalton.org

General Information

Alpha Phi Tau Men's Fraternity is a Social Fraternity based on Native American Heritage at Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, OH. Founded in 1921, the Men of Alpha Phi Tau Men's Fraternity have been valuable assets to the Heidelberg College Campus since the beginning.

History:

On Friday, May 13, 1921, a new and unique literary society dedicated to the task of improving the political and social standards of Heidelberg College as well as the academic standards was formed. Fourteen free thinking men of the class of '24 realizing their ambitions could not fully be realized in the old tradition-bound way, petitioned the faculty for permission to organize a third men's literary society and on May 27, 1921, the organization was completed and the third men's literary society was formed.

A temporary president and secretary were chosen and Mr. Wolfe became the first president and Mr. Bailey was appointed the first secretary of the society. It was decided that the society would be different from the others in that it would be based around Indian heritage. It was given the name of "Aptonalton" (we speak with one another) because it was felt that this was the essential feature of the new organization. "Labor Omnia Vincit" became the motto because it was realized that such a venture such as the creation of a new and different society requires much hard work, but that "labor conquers all."

The first official officers took their place on May 24, 1921, and they were as follows: President, Mr. Gilmore; Vice President, Mr. Lutterbein; Recording Secretary, Mr. Bailey; Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Hoerger; Treasurer, Mr. Miller; Critic, Mr. Blanc and Sergeant of Arms, Mr. Foucht. Maroon and Silver were voted the Aptonalton's official colors and on November 18, 1921, the arrowhead was designated as the permanent insignia of the literary society. Since then the society has grown and yet held on to the unique Indian tradition which is evident throughout the society's meetings.

First Organizational Meeting:
Friday, May 13, 1921

First Official Meeting:
Friday, May 27, 1921 at 8:00 p.m. in the Oratory Room on 3rd floor of the U-Building. This is now Aptonalton Hall.

Goal of the Original Founding Fathers:
To improve not only the literary standards of the college, but also the social and political standards.

Aptonalton Flower:
The Tea Rose

Traditional Aptonalton Colors:
Red, Black, White, Maroon, and Silver

Active Aptonalton Colors:
Maroon and Gold

First Aptonalton Chairman:
Mr. Leroy Wolfe

First Aptonalton President:
Mr. Clifton Gilmore

First Aptonalton Secretary:
Mr. Marshall Bailey

First New Members:
Mr. Roy Leis
Mr. Herbert Meckstroth
Mr. Kermit Ohl
Mr. Robert Pinkerton

Aptonalton Motto:
Labor Omnia Vincit

Byword:
Aptonalton, which means "We speak with one another."

Armorial Bearings

~ Armorial Bearings of AΦT ~

The arms of Alpha Phi Tau differs somewhat from traditional heraldry. They were created by persons appreciating heraldry, but having little technical knowledge of it. This may be, however, an attempt to display the uniqueness of our society. The main departures from traditional heraldry are: 1) There is no arrowhead shaped shield in heraldry. 2)Letters are almost never used in heraldry and are considered poor examples of identification.

The closest blazon that would describe the Arms of Alpha Phi Tau are:
Arms: Argent, on the capital letter "A" an antique lamp, and a tomahawk inverted the handle crossing the letter's transverse, all Sable, a bordure Arrowhead Gules.

Now, one may ask the philosophy behind all the elements of our arms...
The Letter "A" = First Letter of Aptonalton, our society.
An Antique Lamp = The Lamp of Knowledge
The Inverted Tomahawk = Weapon of defense against injustice, inverted to mean it is at rest unless needed.
Arrowhead = Remembrance of the Aptonalton's Indian tradition.

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