St. Anthony Hall
St. Anthony Hall, better known as St. A's is a national organization that was founded at Columbia in 1847 and has since established chapters at elite universities around the country. It has the Greek letter designation Delta Psi. As Columbia's was the first chapter of the organization, it is known as the Alpha Chapter.
It is best described as half fraternity, half literary society. Though secretive, the organization is known for its formalwear parties, and rumors of cocaine use abound.
At Columbia, St. A's owns a building on Riverside Drive adjacent to Woodbridge, between 116th and 115th Streets.
History
St. A's was first founded at Columbia in 1847, although it did not have a home of its own until 1879, when the first St. A's house opened. It is still standing at 29 E. 28th St. and was designed by Columbia College alum James Renwick, Jr. According to the New York Times, "old photographs show a high stoop arrangement with the figure of an owl on the peeked roof and a plaque with the Greek letters Delta Psi over the windowless chapter room. In 1879 the New York Tribune called it French Renaissance, but the stumpy pilasters and blocky detailing suggest the Neo-Grec style then near the end of its popularity." A late 19th century newspaper account dubbed the building a "perfect Bijou of tasteful decoration"
The present house on Riverside Drive was built in 1899, just after Columbia's move to Morningside Heights, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The former house was kept for a few years as a club for members from all chapters. From 1904 to 1990, a purpose-built St. Anthony's Club also operated for members of all branches of the society in an E. 64th St. townhouse.
Alleged Incidents
Once, St. A's kids threw a glass bottle at a black kid, sparking a protest that lasted about five minutes.
On another occasion, a black student entering St. Anthony Hall for a party held the door open for a young white female. She responded, "Thank you, I haven't seen you before, how long have you been working here?". She was later rather embarrassed.
Brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha once snuck a homeless person into one of the St. A's parties, claiming that the man was a professor of East African studies. He was able to stay long enough to get one drink before members of St. Anthony Hall ejected him.
At a St. A's party, one member declared, "Who are all these people. Make everybody leave." He must have had some clout, because everybody did.
Notable members
- Eric Garcetti - President of the Los Angeles City Council
- Stewart Woodward CC 1854 - potential Republican Vice Presidential candidate
