Military service and personal sacrifice are woven directly into the fabric of Alpha Tau Omega and our Zeta Lambda Chapter at Murray State University. The national fraternity was founded in the wake of the Civil War. Moreover, Korean War veterans established our local brotherhood in 1955. Later, brothers stepped forward during Vietnam and beyond. As a result, our history has been continuously shaped by men of valor who wore the uniform.
A Heritage Founded on Reconciliation and Peace
The broader story of Alpha Tau Omega began with a nineteen-year-old veteran. On September 11, 1865, Otis Allan Glazebrook, along with fellow Virginia Military Institute cadets Alfred Marshall and Erskine Mayo Ross, founded Alpha Tau Omega. Glazebrook had fought in the Battle of New Market and witnessed the devastating toll of the Civil War firsthand. Consequently, he envisioned a brotherhood rooted not in political rancor or regional division, but in moral character, mutual respect, and national healing.
Ninety years later, that foundational commitment to unity and brotherhood crossed paths with another generation of servicemen returning home to western Kentucky.
Boots to Books: Postwar Veterans Transform Murray State
Following World War II and the Korean War, college campuses across America were energized by returning servicemen using the G.I. Bill. Between 1950 and 1953, more than 1.7 million Americans served during the Korean War. When these men arrived on campus at Murray State, they brought maturity, discipline, and purpose. Additionally, they brought real-world perspective that transformed the university culture.
Veterans helped fuel an unprecedented enrollment boom. This boom drove Murray State’s transition from a quiet regional teachers college toward a thriving, modern institution. While their monthly stipends paid tuition and living expenses, it was their leadership and drive that set a new standard in classrooms and student organizations.
The Veterans Who Started Best Brotherhood
When seven friends gathered on a freezing February night in 1955—sparking the chain of events that eventually became Zeta Lambda—military veterans were leading the charge.
- Bobby Hargis: At 24 years old, Bobby was the oldest of the original seven founders, a Korean War veteran, and the energetic spark plug behind the group. It was in his metallic cobalt-blue Cadillac—and from his direct question during the drive back to Murray—that the idea of starting a club of their own was born.
- Billy Joe Milner: Another 24-year-old Korean War veteran among the founders, Billy Joe brought steady perspective, quiet reliability, and genuine warmth. These traits balanced the startup group’s youthful energy.
Their military background helped cement the core standard of the fledgling group: complete loyalty, looking out for your brothers, and sticking together no matter the odds. What began with informal meetings in the Hargis living room and upstairs over Rudy’s Restaurant grew into Beta Tau Beta. Later, it became the ATO Club. Ultimately, all of this resulted in the chartering of the Zeta Lambda Chapter on May 9, 1959.
A Legacy of Courage: Service in Vietnam and Beyond
As the chapter grew through the 1960s and beyond, the tradition of answering the call of duty remained strong. Zeta Lambda brothers served across all branches of the armed forces, demonstrating extraordinary leadership and courage:
- Lieutenant Colonel William Robert Kaler: A cornerstone of the chapter’s founding and early growth who continued his lifelong dedication to service as a career military officer.
- Captain John Richard “Bosco” Bostick: Remembered for his valor, dedication, and leadership in uniform.
- Roger Dale Partington (MIA): An enduring symbol of sacrifice whose service in Southeast Asia left an indelible mark on our chapter history and whose memory continues to be honored.
- Bob Alsup: A dedicated soldier long before he became an influential advisor, sponsor, and mentor to generations of Murray State ATOs.
Documented throughout our chapter records are the stories of nearly 200 Zeta Lambda heroes—brothers who stepped up to defend our country, embody the ATO Creed, and carry the values of our Maltese Cross into service around the globe.
Honoring Their Service
To every brother who has worn the uniform—from our founding veterans in 1955 to those actively serving in the armed forces today—we express our deepest gratitude. You have shown time and again that brotherhood is more than a social connection; it is a lifelong commitment to honor, integrity, and sacrifice for a greater good.
If you are a veteran or know of a brother whose military service should be recognized in our ongoing chapter archives, please reach out through our contact page on msuato.com.