| Tau Kappa Epsilon | |
|---|---|
| ΤΚΕ | |
 | |
| Founded | January 10, 1899; 127 years ago (1899-01-10) Illinois Wesleyan University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Former affiliation | NIC |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | International |
| Motto | "Better Men for a Better World" |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Primary: Crimson Lake Cherry Pure Silver Gray Supplementary: Black White |
| Symbol | Equilateral Triangle |
| Flag |  |
| Flower | Redcarnation |
| Patron Greek deity | Apollo |
| Publication | The Teke |
| Philanthropy | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital |
| Chapters | 212 active[1] |
| Members | 10,590[1] active 301,000[1] lifetime |
| Nicknames | ΤΚΕ,Teke |
| Headquarters | 7439 Woodland Drive, Suite #100[1] Indianapolis,Indiana 46278 United States |
| Website | tke.org |
Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ), commonly known asΤΚΕ orTeke, is a socialcollegefraternity founded on January 10, 1899, atIllinois Wesleyan University. The organization has chapters throughout the United States and Canada, making the Fraternity an international organization. Since its founding in 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has never had an exclusionary or discriminatory clause to prevent individuals from joining and has instead admitted members based on their "personal worth and character".[2] As of spring 2024, there are 209 activeΤΚΕ chapters and colonies with over 301,000-lifetime members.[1]
While Tau Kappa Epsilon is primarily mentioned as a collegiate fraternity, the organization emphasizes that it is a "Fraternity for Life".[3] Many chapters have active alumni associations that support philanthropic causes, mentor collegiate members, and host social events.[4] Famous Teke alumni that continued their involvement with the Fraternity includeNFLquarterbackTerry Bradshaw,country music singerWillie Nelson, and U.S. PresidentRonald Reagan.[5][6][7]
On January 10, 1899, Charles Roy Atkinson, Clarence Arthur Mayer, James Carson McNutt, Joseph Lorenzo Settles, and Owen Ison Truitt met at 504 East Locust Street inBloomington, Illinois, to draw up the first constitution for a new fraternity atIllinois Wesleyan University. The purpose of the new organization was to be an "aid to college men in mental, moral and social development". The founders sought to be a different organization than the other fraternities at the time by establishing a fraternity where membership would be based on personal worth and character rather than wealth, rank, or honor. Mental development would be emphasized by the study of classic literature at weekly meetings, and thus the new fraternity became known as the Knights of Classic Lore. The first public announcement of theKnights of Classic Lore appeared in the February 1, 1899, issue of theArgus, which is the student publication of Illinois Wesleyan University.
During formation, the Knights of Classic Lore were trying to get theIllinois Epsilon chapter ofPhi Delta Theta restored. Prominent Phi Delt alumnus Richard Henry Little became a persistent sponsor for the Knights to petition Phi Delta Theta for a charter. The Knights first petitioned Phi Delta Theta at its 1902 convention in New York, but efforts were unsuccessful. After renting rooms at several locations beginning in the spring of 1899, the Knights of Classic Lore finally acquired its first fraternity house, known as The Wilder Mansion, in September 1902. Simultaneously with the acquisition of the new house, the Knights also adopted the name Tau Kappa Epsilon. The name change was expected to create a better impression in future petitions to Phi Delta Theta. The second petition was presented at the Indianapolis convention of 1904, but it was withdrawn to gain unanimous support from all chapters in Phi Delta Theta's Zeta Province, which included Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. If this support was achieved, then the charter would be granted to the group without any action from the convention. The Knights of Classic Lore gained the support of all Phi Delta Theta groups in the province, except forWisconsin Alpha,Illinois Beta, andMissouri Alpha. The Knights in turn unsuccessfully presented the petition at the 1906 convention inWashington, D.C. During the continuing struggle for acceptance from Phi Delta Theta,ΤΚΕ continued to grow stronger in its existence.
In late 1907,ΤΚΕ was preparing to petition Phi Delta Theta once again at the 1908 convention when an event took place that would forever change the course of history for the fraternity. At the annual initiation banquet on October 19, 1907, speeches were made that both advocated and questioned the continued petitioning of Phi Delta Theta. At the banquet, Wallace G. McCauley delivered a blistering speech known as "Opportunity Out of Defeat".[8] The powerful address called for an abandonment of the petitioning initiative and a new campaign to makeΤΚΕ into a national fraternity itself. While there was some opposition at the time, the movement ultimately took hold, and by 1908,ΤΚΕ was well on its way to becoming a national fraternity in its own right. The speech was published in the first issue ofThe Teke in January 1908, and by November of that year, work was beginning on a new constitution. At the chapter meeting held on Monday, February 15, 1909, the new constitution became official. The first Conclave of the Grand Chapter of the new national fraternity of Tau Kappa Epsilon convened on February 17, 1909.
In 1909,ΤΚΕ approached the Chi Rho Sigma local fraternity atMillikin University inDecatur, Illinois. There were no national fraternities at Millikin at this time, andΤΚΕ had just established its intentions to become a national fraternity. Representatives fromΤΚΕ presented their case, and after thorough consideration, Chi Rho Sigma voted to acceptΤΚΕ's offer. On April 17, 1909, Chi Rho Sigma was installed as theBeta chapter ofΤΚΕ. In November 1911, the Beta Rho Delta local fraternity was founded at theUniversity of Illinois.ΒΡΔ petitioned Tau Kappa Epsilon in January 1912, and they were installed as theGamma chapter ofΤΚΕ on February 3, 1912. Following the installation of theGamma chapter,The Teke magazine noted that the triangle was completed. The geographic location ofΤΚΕ's first three chapters form a perfect equilateral triangle. The equilateral triangle was at that time, and continues to be, the primary symbol of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
The national fraternitySigma Mu Sigma merged withΤΚΕ in March 1935. The merger resulted in the newAlpha-Pi chapter ofΤΚΕ atGeorge Washington University and additional members for theGamma chapter at theUniversity of Illinois and theAlpha-Zeta chapter atPurdue University.
Before 1939,ΤΚΕ chapters were installed after local fraternities petitionedΤΚΕ for approval. In 1939, a colonization process was established to promote expansion and to ensure that potential chapters met all requirements before installation. The first twoΤΚΕ colonies were theEta colony at theUniversity of Kansas and theChi Beta colony at theUniversity of Missouri.[9]
Tau Kappa Epsilon expanded for the first time into theDeep South region of the United States in 1946. This expansion was made possible whenAlpha Lambda Tau, a small predominantly Southern national fraternity, announced its dissolution. Five of Alpha Lambda Tau's eight active chapters affiliated withΤΚΕ, resulting in newΤΚΕ chapters at theUniversity of Maryland,North Carolina State University,Auburn University,Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, andTri-State College.[10]
On January 20, 1981, Tau Kappa Epsilon memberRonald Reagan was sworn in as the 40thPresident of the United States. Reagan joinedΤΚΕ at theIota chapter atEureka College in 1929. Throughout his time as President of the United States, Reagan remained actively involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon.
In 1983, President Reagan created the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award to recognize selected student members ofΤΚΕ that have demonstrated superior academic and leadership accomplishments.[11]
In March 1984, President Reagan sponsored aΤΚΕ alumni luncheon at theWhite House. Approximately 60 members ofΤΚΕ were invited to the White House luncheon. At the luncheon, Reagan was awardedΤΚΕ's Order of the Golden Eagle and the Gold Medal of theNorth American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) recognizing his lifelong efforts to support and promote college fraternities. Reagan was the first Teke and first U.S. president to receive the Gold Medal of the NIC.[11]
During the Spring Quarter of 1985 at theAlpha-Omega chapter (UCLA), Frater Reagan was hosted to an informal reception by the chapter's active members. There was no pre-screening of the house or its members by the Secret Service. Photos were taken to commemorate the event and the meeting was both up-building to the chapter and Frater Reagan. Coincidentally and as of June 2010, the brand-new UCLA Medical Center was named in his honor (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center), a leading teaching and research hospital, and is a stone's throw from the chapter house.
In October 1984, President Reagan attended lunch at theΤΚΕ house atOhio State University inColumbus, Ohio, which hosted President Reagan for lunch following a rally in which he was speaking at Ohio State.[11]
In June 1988, President Reagan hosted a specialΤΚΕ ceremony in theOval Office at theWhite House, where he presented the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award/Scholarship toΤΚΕ member Alan Friel. During the ceremony at the White House, President Reagan was presented withΤΚΕ's Order of the Silver Maple Leaf byΤΚΕ Grand Prytanis Bruce Melchert.
By the late 1980s, public perception of fraternities and their conduct was deteriorating, which affected recruitment and membership growth across many of Tau Kappa Epsilon's chapters.[10] In response, the Grand Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon voted to eliminate traditional pledging and implement several membership development programs including a formal candidate education program and membership quality boards (MQBs), which were constituted at each chapter to review membership conduct.
The fraternity continued to enact various changes to its structure and operations throughout the remainder of the 20th century. In 1991, the Grand Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon voted to abolish female auxiliary groups associated with chapters, also known as "Little Sisters".[10] Membership decline continued throughout most of the 1990s, which prompted the fraternity to respond with additional long-range plans to boost membership recruitment and minimize risk management costs.
The early 21st century brought a reinvigoration of the fraternity. Considerable resources were invested to upgrade the fraternity's infrastructure, improve its communication strategy, and reorganize professional staff across the United States and Canada.[10] In the following years, Tau Kappa Epsilon saw improvements in numerous areas of the fraternity including average chapter size, philanthropy projects, and public service hours.
The fraternity's motto is "Better Men for a Better World".
The mythological ideal or patron of Tau Kappa Epsilon isApollo, an important and complex Olympian deity in Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo is the Greek god of music and culture, of light and truth, the ideals toward which the organization strives in their development of manhood.
The official membership badge, made of gold and adorned with three white pearls, is by far the most important item ofΤΚΕ insignia in general use. This badge may be worn only by initiated members. Jeweled badges, crowns set with pearls, diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, according to choice, may be worn by alumni members. Frequently the standard membership badge is used as a token of engagement. Miniature badges are also available for mothers, sisters, wives, chapter sweethearts, or engagement purposes. TheΤΚΕ 'badge of gold,' unique in its design and distinctiveness, has never been changed since its adoption.
The red carnation is the flower of the fraternity. From this flower, the color for thecoat-of-arms,flag, and other symbols are derived. Red carnations are also worn atΤΚΕ banquets. The Red Carnation Ball is a dance that many chapters celebrate and is named after the flower.
The coat-of-arms may be used only by official members of the Fraternity on stationery, jewelry, and other personal effects. Modified slightly several times during the early years of Tau Kappa Epsilon, the present Coat-of-Arms, adopted in 1926, was designed by Dr. Carlton B. Pierce and Ms.Emily Butterfield.[12]
The present design of theΤΚΕ flag, as adopted at the 1961 Conclave, features five voided triangles, in cherry red, on a gray bend surmounting a cherry field. Because it is patterned after the shield of the fraternity Coat-of-Arms, the flag is readily associated with Tau Kappa Epsilon. Individual chapters may also purchase and use pennants and wall banners of various designs. These usually employ the name or Greek letters of the fraternity and chapter and may incorporate the basicΤΚΕ insignia.ΤΚΕ insignia may be purchased only from the Offices of the Grand Chapter or a merchant licensed by the fraternity headquarters.
In April 1921, members of the Fraternity atOhio State University made their way to the Conclave inMadison, Wisconsin. After the vote granting their charter as the Omicron Chapter, one of the members pulled from the pocket of his pants a rusty horseshoe which the fraters had picked up along the way. Believing that the horseshoe had granted the chapter good luck, the tradition began to pass the horseshoe down to each chapter. The original horseshoe was lost duringWorld War II at the Alpha-Chi Chapter (University of Louisville), but it was replaced with a new horseshoe to continue the tradition.
In mid-1995, the original horseshoe was discovered by Past Grand Prytanis Rodney Williams among some artifacts belonging to the Alpha-Chi Chapter, which had been held for years by a charter member of the chapter. At the 49th Biennial Conclave, the originalΤΚΕ horseshoe from the Omicron Chapter was displayed, and the story behind its loss was explained.
The horseshoe, now an adopted symbol, is traditionally displayed on a plaque given to new chapters at their founding.
The tradition of singing a sweetheart song to a fraternity's sweetheart is one shared by most fraternities.ΤΚΕ is rare in that it has three different sweetheart songs: "Sweetheart of T.K.E." recorded byThe Lettermen in 1969; "Iota Sweetheart Song"; and "Old Sweetheart Song".[13] "Old Sweetheart Song" was started at theAlpha-Xi chapter atDrake University.
The Teke is the award-winning[14] official quarterly publication for undergraduate and alumni brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon.The Teke magazine first appeared in January 1908.The Teke was suspended in the 1990s amid financial difficulties for the fraternity, but it was re-established in 1999.[15][16]
The pledge manual of Tau Kappa Epsilon is known asThe Teke Guide. Development of the manual began in 1927, andThe Teke Guide was first published in 1935.[15][17]
Tau Kappa Epsilon provides support for numerous philanthropies and charitable services, most notablySt. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded byDanny Thomas, a member of the Gamma-Nu Chapter at theUniversity of Toledo.[18] In 2019, Tau Kappa Epsilon increased its commitment towards St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with pledging to raise $10 million within the next 10 years.[19] As of July 2022,ΤΚΕ has raised $3.3 million towards this commitment.[20]
The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is known as the Grand Council, which is composed of the Grand Prytanis (Grand President) and seven other Grand Officers elected at Conclave, one representative selected by the Collegiate Advisory Committee (CAC), and two other alumni selected by the Grand Officers asex-officio, voting members.[21] The Grand Council is entrusted with authority over managing the property, assets, and finances of the Fraternity, adopting budgets and financial estimates, proposing amendments to the Fraternity's Articles of Incorporation, and authorizing the establishment of colonies or affiliated local fraternities. The Grand Council also oversees thechief executive officer (CEO) of the International Fraternity who manages day-to-day operations, subject to the direction and control of the Grand Council. The CAC and its chairman are active undergraduate members appointed by the CEO of the Fraternity and approved by several past Grand Prytani (Grand Presidents) to act as advisers to the Grand Council with the CAC chairman serving on the Grand Council.[22]
The current Grand Prytanis (Grand President) is Mike McEvilly of theBeta-Eta chapter.[23]
ΤΚΕ chapters and colonies are individual organizations of initiated members associated with auniversity orcollege. After the first, or single-letterAlpha series, chapters are named with a two-letter Greek letter combination in alphabetical order of theGreek alphabet, such asAlpha-Alpha,Beta-Alpha, etc. The Greek letter "Eta" was skipped over as a named series. Naming occurs according to the date when the chapter's charter was granted. In one exception to this general rule, the group that would have been theSigma chapter received special permission to be referred to as theScorpion chapter, honoring the name of a long-standing local affiliate into the Fraternity.[24]
A colony is defined as an unchartered organization of the Fraternity until officially granted a charter by the Grand Council, which is theboard of directors of the Fraternity. Once a colony has obtained at least 20 qualified members and has petitioned for a charter, the Grand Council may grant a charter by a two-thirds vote.[25] As of 2022, "colonies" are officially referred to as "emerging chapters" by the Fraternity.[26]
Chapters may have become inactive after being granted a charter, due to membership decline, misconduct, or school closure. In some cases, the Fraternity and alumni volunteers may restore a dormant chapter using the same chapter name. Numerous chapters that were once closed have recolonized and have successfully reestablished themselves in their school and community.
Tau Kappa Epsilon is also affiliated with theGerman fraternity system known as the Corps of theWeinheimer Senioren-Convent (WSC). The WSC serves as an umbrella organization for 60 student Corps in 22 cities all over Germany.[27] In furtherance of this International fraternal friendship, Past Executive Vice President Timothy J. Murphy became part ofCorps Franconia Darmstadt (Darmstadt Technical University) receiving the status of "Inhaber der Corpsschleife" (IdC), a rarity for a foreign national. He has since spoken at fraternity congresses and gatherings inWeinheim andWürzburg, Germany.
The list of Tau Kappa Epsilon brothers spans multiple careers including politics, business, athletics, and entertainment. Among the most recognized includeU.S. President Ronald Reagan, who was the recipient of the Order of the Golden Eagle, the fraternity's highest honor.[28] Other widely recognized political figures include formerWest VirginiaSenatorRobert Byrd, who at the time of his death was thelongest-serving member in the history of theUnited States Congress, and formerArkansas Governor andRepublican presidential candidateMike Huckabee, who while running for president launched aΤΚΕ-specific website and visited Tekes on the campaign trail.[29][30][31]
Dozens of topCEOs anduniversity presidents have also made the list such asHoward Schultz ofStarbucks,Marc Benioff ofSalesforce, andSteve Forbes ofForbes magazine, who was the fraternity's 250,000th initiate.[32] Numerous athletic and music superstars are also Tekes includingNFL quarterbacksTerry Bradshaw,Phil Simms, andAaron Rodgers,OlympiansDouglas Blubaugh,Sim Iness, andJohnny Quinn, and singersElvis Presley,Willie Nelson, andthe Everly Brothers.
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