The History of XI Tau

Written by Pearl Brother Billy Ray Hightower

Xi Tau started as a result of several students on the campus of Georgia Southern College (yes, college at the time) formed an “Alpha Interested Group”.  These young guys want to bring another Black Greek Letter Fraternity on campus.  At the time, there was only one black fraternity and two black sororities on campus.  So for these students, it was about choice.  The timing was right for a choice, a change and a challenge.   

The freshman classes of 1977-78 had enrolled the largest number of Afro-America students up to that time.  It was also a time when the college was trying to expand its appeal to attract more black students.  This atmosphere was just right for things to happen; thus, the name of the charter line “Critical Mass”.   The campus was at the tipping point for great things to happen.  The brothers on the charter line represented the entire campus in some way.  Crandall Jones was the newly elected president of the Afro-American Club, which was the gathering of Black students on campus.  Billy Hightower was the president of the newly formed Black Students Alliance, which represented the Afro-American Club, the other Black Greek Fraternity and Sororities and was the liaison to the college’s administration.  These brothers, along with all the other brothers on the charter line had connected with the pulse of the campus.

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Xi Tau gave the students on the campus a change!  We were the new kids on the block.  When we stepped out in tuxedos with tails on our first day, everyone knew change was about to take place.  The campus would never be the same.  There was a change in the culture of the campus.  The excitement of having distinguished brothers on campus that excelled in academics, community service and leadership was the new norm.  The brothers of Xi Tau have been involved at the highest levels in all these categories since we were chartered.

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The challenge is not only to hold on to our past achievements, but to reach even higher to solve and master the challenges of the future.  As Alpha Men, we must continue to do our part to uphold the legacy.  We must forever provide an atmosphere where young men can come, introduce themselves and depart as everlasting friends and brothers.  

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This is why Xi Tau is so important.  We provide hope, direction and a bright future for the world to see through manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all Mankind.