Jonathan Briante ’99 ([email protected]) had a special experience at Alpha Tau Omega. He was THON chair, held a first-place win, and now uses his connections with Alpha Tau Omega brothers in his professional life. Here Briante looks back on his time at Alpha Tau Omega and discusses how important it is to support future generations.
What impacted your decision to pledge to Alpha Tau Omega?
JB: I knew from my arrival on campus that I wanted to be in a fraternity, and was rushing several different houses to see where I felt like I fit in. I recall being invited to ATO’s ‘Pledge Class Olympics’ that fall, which was a lock-in event, and I was impressed by the camaraderie and friendly-proud competition between the pledge classes and the total fun they were having together with simply the brotherhood in attendance.
What set Alpha Tau Omega apart on Penn State’s campus while you were there?
JB: I didn’t know much about THON yet, but the house by far was (and still is) one of the best looking of all of them, and it was immaculate inside as well as out. The brothers took great pride in decking out their rooms, and I also liked the social calendar and that we were ‘known’ for Thursday Happies, which is a big deal to a freshman coming from a small high school out of state. Believe it or not, we were also a powerhouse in most Intermural sports, which was an added attraction as well.
What is one of your best memories?
JB: Being Thon Chair and placing first in THON for ATO’s 2nd year in a row, which cemented our dominance over the many years of (very dubious) Alpha Sig wins, and which started the incredibly long run of first-place finishes we are still on now.
What impact did Alpha Tau Omega have on your life after graduation?
JB: I’d say the (professional and social) networking aspect and the fact that in your 20’s and even 30’s and onward, you have a pool of friends to hang out with, no matter where in the US you end up. I went from NYC to Chicago, back to NY, and then to DC for 10 years, and have now been settled in Philly for the last 5, and each time I was able to quickly set up a social network to be able to lean on. As far as professional networking, there just seem to be Taus (and Penn Staters of course) everywhere you look, and there’s a lot of loyalty that comes with both, so I’ve used the connection to get meetings and forge connections I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.
How did it prepare you for life?
JB: Social skills, ability to talk to anyone about just about anything, due to the relatively diverse brotherhood we had.
Why do you give back? Why is giving back to Alpha Tau Omega so crucial?
JB: I think the undergrad generation can always use some guidance, and that such a storied chapter as Gamma Omega deserves good people to watch over the business of owning and running such a house. One of the few things I like to imagine I am good at is keeping tabs on the professional and geographical whereabouts of Alumni, so I’m hoping to be able to inspire connections and bestow help on the current members who are graduating and going into the crazy changing world we now find ourselves working in.
What good could be accomplished if more alumni give back?
JB: I think the house can always be improved and is such a special & unique place that renovations should be at the forefront of our thinking, always. We are coming up on 100 years since the construction of the House, and we should be setting ourselves up for the next 100 as much as possible.
Without Alpha Tau Omega, I wouldn’t feel nearly as connected to Penn State as I do.