Alpha Phi Epsilon

In 1919, the Philomathic Literary Society at the University of Mississippi came up with the idea of creating a national organization for literary societies; member Roy L. Smart invited similar organizations to an organizational meeting.^{[1][2]: 844–845} Between April 29 and May 2, 1918, representatives of literary societies from nine Southern colleges and universities met at the Civic Association's headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama to discuss the formation of form an honorary literary and forensic fraternity.^[3][4][5][6] The result was Alpha Phi Epsilon National Literary Society, created to advance the work of literary societies and make this work more effective.^[4][7][8][9] Its purpose was "to promote the work of literary societies in general and to honor those men who have attained distinction in society work".^[10]

The founding instituitions were Auburn University, Emory University, Howard College, John B. Stetson University, Richmond College, Southwestern Presbyterian University, the University of Alabama, the University of Mississippi, the University of Tennessee.^[4][11] Centre College, Maryville College, Millsaps College, and the University of Kentucky participated in the founding meeting by letter and also became charter members.^[4][11][8] Clemson University, the University of Georgia, the University of Texas, and the University of Virginia also were founders of the fraternity.^[12][6]

The April 29 meeting included creating the constitution and establishimg membership requirements for Alpha Phi Epsilon.^[13][6] The fraternity was governed operated by an executive council that was elected at biennial annual meetings.^{[4][2]: 845} The executive council consisted of a grand president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and two councilors.^[4][5] Roy L. Smart was its first grand president.^[4][5]

Alpha Phi Epsilon chapters were originally formed from one literary or debating society from each charter institution.^[9] However, male student members were admitted from all literary societies at institutions with a chapter.^[13] The fraternity expanded to other colleges and universities, mostly located in the Southern and Western United States.^[10] Only class "A" colleges and universities were allowed to have chapters.^[8]

By April 1919, Alpha Phi Epsilon had grown to thirteen chapters.^[1] It had also received a letter of endorsement from former United States President William Howard Taft.^[1] The fraternity held an annual meeting on April 19, 1919 in Auburn, Alabama.^[14][1] Dr. R. Johnson of the University of Mississippi was elected president.^[1]

After World War I, it was determined that this structure would not be able to flourish. On April 23 and 24, 1920, Alpha Phi Epsilon's national convention held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.^[15] This meeting transformed the nature of the society, expanding membership to include those from all recognized literary societies and women.^[9] By the 1921 annual meeting, at the University of Mississippi on May 8 and 9, the fraternity had chartered thirty chapters.^[16]

The fraternity's national headquarters were in Mobile, Alabama.^[7] In the spring of 1935, Alpha Phi Epsilon merged into Tau Kappa Alpha.^{[2]: 722, 845}

The badge of Alpha Phi Epsilon was gold and displayed the fraternity's symbols.^[9] Its colors are garnet and green.^[9] Its flower was the red rose. The fraternity's quarterly publication was The Garnet and Green.^{[9][2]: 844–845}

Alpha Phi Epsilon presented a service award that was the fraternity's badge, mounted on a rayed background.^[2]: 845

At the 1920 annual meeting, standards for membership in Alpha Phi Epsilon were set to require 1.5 years of membership and attendance in a literary society, participation in at least five debates, presentation of at least two original orations, and a written parliamentary law exam (requiring an 85 percent grade).^[9] Individual chapters could add additional requirements.^[9] There were three classes of members: active, alumni, and honorary.^{[2]: 844–845}

Alpha Phi Epsilon chapters through 1930 were as follows, with inactive chapters and institutions indicated in italics.^[9]

• Honor society
• Professional fraternities and sororities