Pictured: Founders of Rho Chapter at RPI

In 1919 there existed only 10 national fraternities on campus, with less than 10 percent of the freshmen becoming members. The Greek Council controlled almost all of the activities on campus and without the backing of a national organization, there was little chance for participating in athletics or intramural events. As a solution, a student named J. Donald MacKnight envisioned his small group of friends as a foundation for forming a fraternity. In March of 1920, MacKnight's group became the Knights of the Sphinx and subsequently the Kappa Omicron Sigma Fraternity.

In 1922, Paul Opp, a member of Epsilon of Phi Kappa Tau, was eager to start a Phi Kappa Tau chapter on campus, knowing the outstanding reputation of RPI as the oldest and most distinguished engineering school in the United States. In November 1922, after a lengthy period of inspection and vetting, the Rho chapter was installed as the 17th chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. The brothers pictured are those who were involved in the petition that the Knights of the Sphinx sent to Phi Kappa Tau in the summer of 1922.

By the end of the 1950s, approximately one third of the male population at RPI was in the fraternity system. In the fall of 1958, after living in the chapter house at 207 Hoosick Street since 1933, the inadequate building size and distant location motivated the residents to petition the alumni executive committee for a new house, and offered assured financial assistance after graduation. The ensuing construction on a parcel located 200 yards from the Student Union was one of the most successful alumni-student ventures in Phi Kappa Tau's national history, and 19 Sherry Road was christened during Rensselaer's June 1963 reunion.

Pictured: Rho’s Chapter House at 19 Sherry Road in Troy, NY

Since 2018, the chapter house has been occupied by the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, which has allowed the alumni association to make sure the physical structure and systems are maintained to the required level while we reorganize the return of Rho. While the current condition of the residence is comparable to the top houses on campus, it is widely recognized by the Rho Alumni Association that the property should be upgraded to a standard that we all can be proud of. This provides an additional exciting opportunity for the "refounders" of Rho - they will be able to participate, at any level that suits them, in a well-funded revitalization of the physical property.

At its peak, Rho continually had over 45 residents and has won the Maxwell trophy as the Phi Kappa Tau's Most Outstanding chapter three times (1972, 1980 and 1986).

Over the years, the chapter was extremely competitive in the race for the Barker trophy (the IFC's overall athletic award), was prominent on RPI's athletic teams and in student government, and retained one of the most active and interesting social programs on campus.

Rho has a legacy of distinguished brothers who passionately served the chapter and the Alumni Association's Board of Directors remains actively committed to continuing Rho's robust legacy of supporting the chapter and maintaining its unique heritage.

First and foremost, the creation of lifelong friendships and shared experiences resulting from the bond of brotherhood is a defining characteristic of Rho and Phi Kappa Tau. Even without an active chapter at RPI, brothers from the 1960s through the 2015 get together on a regular basis. Years from now there will be a new generation of Phi Taus from Rho that will get together and have it feel like they were never apart.

We’re looking for men like you to help restart the legacy of Rho at RPI. Looking to be a part of something bigger than yourself, while reviving a chapter with over 100 years of history? We’d love to chat with you. Click here to get the conversation started.