At Clemson, Alpha Tau Omega has earned a reputation not just as a fraternity but as a brotherhood dedicated to service, leadership and lifelong bonds. With these core values guiding them, they take the spot as this year’s Best IFC Fraternity.
Founded in 1971 at Clemson, ATO has shown a long commitment to philanthropy, community involvement and personal growth.
The chapter’s signature philanthropic event throughout the year is its annual Viking Week. During Viking Week, each sorority attempts to earn points through donations and competing in week-long Olympic-style events.
“Every penny raised goes directly to the Upstate Warrior Solution, and last year we broke our chapter record again, donating $71,600,” ATO president Lucas Martin told The Tiger.
Despite the record-breaking success of this year’s event, ATO looking to go even bigger next year. The fraternity’s ultimate goal is to make Viking Week one of the most recognized and impactful events on campus.
Beyond Viking Week, ATO encourages its brothers to serve the community in any way possible.
“We share philanthropy opportunities in each chapter and stress the importance of giving back to the community,” Martin explained. ATO partners closely with ClemsonLIFE, organizing basketball outings and dinners throughout the week.
Along with its contributions within the campus, ATO extends its support to the surrounding areas, such as helping to restore Soapstone Church in Pickens County after Hurricane Helene in September.
In addition to its community service, ATO prioritizes building a strong sense of brotherhood among its members, creating lasting bonds through shared experiences and core values.
“ATO works to foster brotherhood with its members before they even accept a bid,” says Martin. At each recruitment’s final round dinner, a Clemson alumnus speaks with the potential new members about the incomparable bond ATO offers, highlighting how it’s different from other fraternities.
Martin, along with the rest of the brotherhood, understands the importance of setting the fraternity up for success both now and in the future, emphasizing, “What sets ATO apart from other fraternities starts with the men we recruit … every year, the incoming class is the future of our fraternity, so we make it vital to recruit only the best of men.”
Along with the value in recruiting, ATO organizes brotherhood events throughout the year, designed for both enjoyment and strengthening the bond between brothers in activities such as weekly Bible studies.
Fostering a strong brotherhood not only creates a supportive environment but also nurtures leadership qualities for personal and chapter-wide growth. A fundamental principle within the fraternity is the idea of getting 1% better each day, a mindset that drives individual and professional development.
To enhance its leadership development, ATO offers career-building opportunities, such as LinkedIn and resume workshops, to help brothers prepare for their futures. Even throughout campus, you’ll likely find an ATO demonstrating their leadership in your favorite organization.
“Outside of ATO, many of our brothers are involved in Clemson’s Student Alumni Council (SAC), Clemson University Guide Association (CUGA), various sports clubs, creative inquiries, Habitat for Humanity, and many other clubs and organizations,” Martin said.
As the Best IFC Fraternity at Clemson, ATO continues to raise the bar on philanthropy, leadership and brotherhood. They’ve built a fraternity that shows its dedication to a brotherhood that lasts well beyond graduation, as members of ATO leave Clemson not just as fraternity brothers but as future leaders.
With no signs of slowing down, ATO is poised to continue its reign as Clemson’s top fraternity.
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