The Order of the Tau Alpha
The Order of Tau Alpha is the highest honorary award granted by the Colorado Gamma Alumni Volunteer Committee (AVC). It is presented by the President of the Alumni Association, in the name of all Colorado Gamma alumni, and is conferred only upon members of the fraternity who’s distinguished performance characterized by extraordinary, notable, or prestigious contributions that impact the mission of the fraternity and/or Colorado State University student organizations, and/or local community at large which reflect favorably upon themselves and the fraternity.
To be considered the Member must met most, if not all, of the following:
•Junior member in good standing
•A member for at least four semesters
•Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0
•Chapter Executive Officer
•Committee Chairman
•Fulfilled his lived in the house commitment
•Exemplify the cardinal principles of fraternity
•Contributed to the fraternal spirit of the chapter
•Activity involved in campus or community organizations outside the fraternity
TA Pin Number: 1
On May 6, 2023, Colorado Gamma AVC President Dan Reagan ’82 along with SigEp Grand President Billy Maddalon, North Carolina State ’90 and SigEp National Board of Director Greg Pestinger, Kansas State ’88 inducted the very first Order of Tau Alpha member Chapter President Brendon Bever ‘24
Other honorees: Braden Courter ‘24, Aidan Hall ‘24, Cole Johnson ‘24, Scotty Day ‘24, Keegan Hughes ‘23, Ryan Fry ‘24
History of the Organization
The Colorado Gamma AVC established the Order of Tau Alpha in the spring of 2023. While the ‘Order of Tau Alpha” is new, its origin and meaning dates back to before we petitioned to become Sigma Phi Epsilon, we were a local Greek fraternity known as “Tau Alpha.”
Explanation of the Greek Symbols
The name Tau Alpha is significant, and our founders selected that name for a reason, the symbols have meaning. The Greek symbol “Tau” was derived from the Phoenician letter “taw” meaning life or resurrection. The Greek symbol “Alpha” was derived from the Phoenician and Hebrew letter “aleph” (all-if) meaning leader. So, when you put them together it literally means “A life of Leadership.”
Explanation of the Badge
The badge incorporates symbolism from our past incarnations (the Tree Apes, Tau Alpha) and today’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternities.
•The “Blood Red “color symbolizes the temperament of the members and their passionate for the fraternity.
•The “Funeral Black” – Symbolizes the lifelong commitment to the fraternity.
•The interwoven letters symbolizes the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
•The base of font is wider at the bottom symbolizing the strong foundation the fraternity provides.
•The shape of the badge comes from: The original SigEp Pledge Pin - A gold rectangular shield of equal sides with background of “Red” enamel. The “pledge” pin represented the vow that a member of the Fraternity makes to uphold the cardinal principles of Sigma Phi Epsilon.