Georgia Tech Archives · 1920–1970
A Half-Century of International Students at Georgia Tech
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The first international student appeared in Georgia Tech documents in 1919 Latin American Club, and by 1920, the Club had evolved into the Cosmopolitan Club, which marks Georgia Tech's involvement in a larger global movement of international student organizations.
Between 1920 and 1970, international student support at Georgia Tech evolved through three distinct phases: from a student-led club to a formal administrative office. This is the story of how a small group of students seeking connection across borders built something that would endure for half a century.
Corda Fratres & the Association of Cosmopolitan Clubs, 1898–1920
In Turin, Italy, Ephraim (Efisio) Giglio-Tos founded the International Federation of Students, known by its Latin name Corda Fratres—"Brothers in Heart." Emerging from the festive and carnival societies of European universities, the organization was dedicated to fostering international friendship and opposing war through cultural activities and fundraising.
Corda Fratres quickly expanded from its European base to include chapters in Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Chile, Malta, India, China, and the United States, maintaining "particularly strong connections with the United States, where similar student organizations were active" (Global Student Forum).
Drag to explore · Corda Fratres chapters worldwide, c. 1907–1920
"From its founding, Corda Fratres faced leadership disputes between Italy and France, and divisions among Jewish students split between pro- and anti-Zionist factions. These political and religious tensions frequently disrupted conferences."
The organization also struggled with fundamental questions about funding, legitimacy, and independence—who would provide resources, who would represent each country, and how to maintain autonomy while potentially criticizing home governments. In 1909, the Association of Cosmopolitan Clubs formally merged with Corda Fratres as its American branch, bringing its university-chapter structure under the international umbrella.
Georgia Tech's First International Student Organization, 1920–1940s
The Technique reported a formal meeting of the Cosmopolitan Club, with officers elected from multiple countries and an application submitted for a Corda Fratres charter. Later that month, Georgia Tech delegates traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Corda Fratres convention.
Georgia Tech's chapter was formally accepted as an associate chapter of Corda Fratres at the convention in Ann Arbor, connecting the school to a worldwide network of international student friendship that stretched from Turin to Atlanta.
The Blue Print yearbook consistently documented the Cosmopolitan Club with officer rosters and country-diverse membership lists, marking it as a durable annual organization rather than a one-off social group. The 1936 page describes its mission:
"The Georgia Tech Cosmopolitan Club is a branch of the international organization of Cosmopolitan Clubs. All students at Tech from foreign countries are members and in addition several American students are included in order that the club may be truly cosmopolitan in nature."
The club's primary purpose was "the assistance of foreign students in orienting themselves to American college life," accomplished through monthly meetings, social gatherings, discussion groups, and presentations by prominent speakers.
By 1923, the Technique reported the club "Plans Expansion Program," including intercollegiate organizing with other Atlanta institutions such as Emory and Oglethorpe. Bulletin descriptions in the late 1920s and 1930s presented a consistent mission of supporting foreign students and integrating selected American students.
Multiple Bulletin editions explicitly state that "through YMCA cooperation, foreign students organized the Cosmopolitan Club," indicating the YMCA acted as an incubator and host structure for international student organization.
Dedicated June 7, 1912
The last documented Cosmopolitan Club activity appears in a 1937 Technique article, "Cosmopolitan Club Plans Picnic." It is still unclear whether the club continued to operate during the late 1930s and early 1940s, but I suspect that the declination is due to World War II, which disrupted international student movements worldwide.
Two years after the war's end, a new generation of veterans would reimagine international student support at Georgia Tech.
From Veterans' Peace Mission to Institutional Program, 1947–1970s
The World Student Fund (WSF) Committee was organized by veterans at Georgia Tech, affiliated with the Georgia Tech YMCA. Its mission was explicit: world peace, international friendship, and professional development through hosting international students.
The timing was deliberate. Returning veterans, shaped by the devastation of global conflict, sought to build international understanding. The WSF represented a fundamentally different model from the pre-war Cosmopolitan Club—moving from voluntary membership to systematic fundraising and direct financial support.
YMCA building dedicated on North Avenue. John D. Rockefeller donated $50,000. The building became the hub of campus social life, housing most student organizations.
YMCA incubates the Cosmopolitan Club, providing meeting space and organizational support for international students.
WSF operates as a YMCA-affiliated committee. The YMCA also sponsors annual tours of the U.S.S.R. as part of international programming during the 1960s.
Fred B. Wenn Student Center opens; student activities shift away from YMCA. YMCA focus narrows to international scholarship administration.
YMCA moves off campus to All Saints Episcopal Church. The former YMCA building is later rededicated as the L. W. "Chip" Robert, Jr. Alumni/Faculty House (November 1979).
From Peers to Professionals, 1960s–1970
By the 1960s, international student support at Georgia Tech underwent its final transformation—from volunteer-run programs to formal administrative structures. This shift mirrored broader patterns across American higher education: the growth of student services bureaucracies, the professionalization of student affairs, and the increasing complexity of international education.
Bulletin records formally include International Students Representative positions in student governance and publications contexts.
Henry Villa is listed as "International Students Representative." The Dean of Students office formally includes "international student affairs" among core functions.
General Catalog staff listings include a dedicated "Assistant Dean of Students; International Student Advisor" title, marking full administrative integration.
46 representatives across all classes, including Tibet Giray (★) as International Students Representative.
During the 1960s, two parallel channels coexisted: the YMCA-based World Student Fund continued its fundraising and scholarship operations, while formal administrative support developed independently through the Dean of Students office. The 1967 Bulletin still lists "World Student Fund" under "YMCA Groups" even as it separately records International Students Representative positions in governance contexts.
This dual structure persisted until the YMCA's departure from campus, after which international student support was fully absorbed into the university's administrative infrastructure.
Continuities, Transformations, and Unanswered Questions