Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ or Teke, pronounced T-K-E or Tēk) is a college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899, at Illinois Wesleyan University with chapters in the United States, and Canada, and affiliation with a German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren Convent (WSC). There are currently 291^[4] active TKE chapters and colonies throughout the United States and Canada. The colors of the fraternity are cherry red and true grey.^[5] TKE was also one of the first fraternities to abolish "Hell week" when in 1928 it was replaced with an initiation period consisting of lessons portraying attributes of brotherhood.^[6]

History

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 in Bloomington, Illinois to draw up the first constitution for a new fraternity at Illinois 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 the Knights of Classic Lore appeared in the February 1, 1899 issue of the Argus, which is the student publication of Illinois Wesleyan University.

During the time of the formation of the Knights of Classic Lore were trying hard to get the Illinois Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta restored. Prominent PhiDelt alumnus Richard Henry Little became a persistent sponsor for the Knights to petition Phi Delta Theta for 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 change in name 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 The second petition was presented at the Indianapolis convention of 1904, but it was withdrawn in an effort to gain unanimous support of all chapters in Phi Delta Theta's Zeta Province, which included Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska,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 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 for Wisconsin Alpha, Illinois Beta, and Missouri Alpha. The Knights in turn unsuccessfully presented the petition at the 1906 convention in Washington, D.C.. During the continuing struggle for acceptance from Phi Delta Theta, TKE continued to grow stronger in its own existence.

In late 1907, TKE 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." The powerful address called for an abandonment of the petitioning initiative and a new campaign to make TKE into a national fraternity itself. While there was some opposition at the time, the movement ultimately took hold, and by 1908, TKE was well on its way to becoming a national fraternity in its own right. The speech was published in the first issue of The 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.

Expansion

In 1909, TKE approached the Chi Rho Sigma Fraternity at Millikin University. There were no national fraternities at Millikin at this time, and TKE had just established its intentions to become a national fraternity. Representatives from TKE presented their case, and after thorough consideration, Chi Rho Sigma voted to accept TKE's offer. On April 17, 1909, Chi Rho Sigma was installed as the Beta Chapter of TKE. In November 1911, the Beta Rho Delta Fraternity was founded at the University of Illinois. BPΔ petitioned Tau Kappa Epsilon in January 1912, and they were installed as the Gamma Chapter of TKE on February 3, 1912. Following the installation of Gamma Chapter, The TEKE magazine noted that the triangle was completed. The geographic location of TKE's first three chapters form an almost perfect equilateral triangle. The equilateral triangle was at that time, and continues to be, the primary symbol of Tau Kappa Epsilon.

The National Fraternity Sigma Mu Sigma merged with TKE in March 1935. The merger resulted in the new Alpha-Pi Chapter of TKE at George Washington University and additional members for the Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois and the Alpha-Zeta Chapter at Purdue University.

Prior to 1939, TKE chapters were installed after local fraternities petitioned TKE for approval. In 1939 a colonization process was established to promote expansion and to ensure that potential chapters met all necessary requirements prior to installation. The first two TKE colonies were the Eta Colony at the University of Kansas and the Chi Beta Colony at the University of Missouri.^[7]

Presidential Recognition

On January 20, 1981 Tau Kappa Epsilon member Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States. Reagan joined TKE at the Iota Chapter at Eureka College in 1929. Through 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 of TKE that have demonstrated superior academic and leadership accomplishments.^[8]

In March 1984 President Reagan sponsored a TKE alumni luncheon at the White House. Approximately 60 members of TKE were invited to the White House luncheon. At the luncheon, Reagan was awarded TKE's Order of the Golden Eagle as well as the Gold Medal of the North-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.^[9]

In October 1984 President Reagan attended lunch at the TKE house at Ohio State University. The Ohio State Chapter hosted President Reagan for lunch following a rally in which he was speaking at Ohio State.^[10]

In June 1988 President Reagan hosted a special TKE ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in which he presented the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award/Scholarship to TKE member Alan Friel. During the ceremony at the White House, President Reagan was also presented with TKE's Order of the Silver Maple Leaf by TKE Grand Prytanis Bruce Melchert.

Symbols and traditions

Apollo

The mythological ideal or patron of Tau Kappa Epsilon is Apollo, one of the most important of Olympian divinities. Apollo is the Greek god of music and culture, of light and the ideals toward which all Tekes constantly strive. Typifying the finest development of manhood, the selection of Apollo is most appropriate.

Badge

The official membership badge, made of gold and adorned with three white pearls, is by far the most important item of TKE insignia in general use. This badge may be worn only by initiated members. Jeweled badges, crown 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 for engagement purposes. The TKE 'badge of gold,' unique in its design and distinctiveness, has never been changed since its adoption.

Red carnation

The red carnation is the flower of the fraternity. From this flower the color for the coat-of-arms, flag, and other symbols are derived. Red carnations are also worn at TKE banquets. The Red Carnation Ball is a dance that many chapters celebrate, and is named after the flower.

Coat-of-arms

The heraldic definition of the TKE Coat-of-Arms is "A shield of a Norman form, upon which has a bend with five equilateral triangles, surmounting a scroll bearing five Greek letters, and surmounted by a skull, or death's head, three-quarters profile. This assemblage is done in the official colors, cherry red and battleship gray, properly mantled." It may be used only by official members of the Fraternity on stationery, jewelry, and other personal effects. It is used by the Fraternity upon its official stationery, membership certificates, and other documents. 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.

Flag

The present design of the TKE flag, as adopted at the 1961 Conclave, features five voided triangles, in cherry red, on a gray bend surmounting a red 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 basic TKE insignia. TKE insignia may be purchased only from the Offices of the Grand Chapter or a merchant licensed by the fraternity headquarters.

Founders' Day

On or near January 10 of each year, alumni associations of Tau Kappa Epsilon celebrate the founding of our Fraternity and honor the five Founders. This day is known as Founders' Day, is usually celebrated by a traditional banquet. At this celebration, contributions are collected for the Founders' Student Loan Fund, and the Grand Prytanis sends a subtle message to each chapter to be read as part of the program.

The Horse Shoe

In April 1921, members of the Fraternity at The Ohio State University made their way to the Conclave in Madison, Wisconsin. At the conclusion of the vote granting their charter as Omicron Chapter, one of the members pulled from his pants pocket 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 during World War II at the Alpha-Chi Chapter, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (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 Alpha-Chi Chapter, which had been held for years by a charter member of the chapter. At the 49th Biennial Conclave, the original TKE horseshoe from Omicron Chapter was displayed, and the story behind its loss explained.

The horse shoe, now an adopted symbol, is traditionally displayed on a plaque given to new chapters at their founding.

Membership Development

By the end of the 1980s, hazing, misbehavior, and alcohol abuse was beginning to take a serious toll on most national fraternities. The increasingly litigious environment resulted in very high risk management and legal costs as a result of the Animal House like atmosphere of many chapters over the past decade. In 1989, the Grand Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon voted to eliminate traditional pledging. Although many chapters and alumni members were strongly opposed to elimination of the pledge program, TKE had to take action to curb hazing and costs associated with it, and a new membership development program was implemented that included an immediate initiation requirement. TKE required the initiation of new members within 14 days of bid acceptance, and required all chapters to maintain comprehensive liability insurance. Under the new membership requirements, TKE membership declined sharply, and the loss of revenue created a burden to the fraternity. Despite the growing loss of initiates under the new program and strong objection, TKE mandated in 1991 that all chapters adopt the new program with its immediate initiation requirement. Membership continued to decline, and TKE was forced to suspend publication of THE TEKE and eliminate headquarters staff positions. In 1993, Rear Admiral John R. Fisher was elected to the Grand Prytanis position, and the fraternity CEO announced his retirement. Under new leadership, TKE finances were stabilized and the membership development program was modified in 1995 to allow for a pledge period, known as a candidate education period, of six weeks. Membership levels soon began to stabilize, and by 2002 membership was growing again for the first time in more than a decade.

In 2007 TKE began piloting a new member development program known as The Blueprint. The new program was finalized and officially rolled out in 2009. The Blueprint is a flexible, self-paced, personal development experience that can be tailored to a chapter’s particular circumstances within a structure consistent with the purpose and mission of the Fraternity. The Blueprint focuses on personal development throughout a student member's entire college career in TKE rather than just the traditional pledge period. It includes four milestones that are to be achieved during the program: (1) Initiation after six weeks of formal candidate education, (2) Order of the Founders after 1-3 additional semesters, (3) Knights of Classic Lore after 2-3 additional semesters, and finally (4) Fraternity for Life, at the time of graduation. The Blueprint allow members to select their own curriculum as they work toward goals personally, professionally, on campus, and in the community in addition to the traditional new member education regarding the history and traditions of TKE. While The Blueprint is optional but encouraged for existing chapters, it is required for all new chapters of TKE.^[11] The Blueprint differs from other similar program's such as Sigma Phi Epsilon's Balanced Man Program, because The Blueprint does still require the traditional period of formal education before a new candidate is initiated and given full rights of membership.

International officers

Grand Council officers and members

• Grand Prytanis (president)^[12] – Edmund C. Moy
• Grand Epiprytanis (vice-president) – Robert L. Barr
• Grand Grammateus (secretary) – Fritz Jacobi
• Grand Crysophylos (treasurer) – Rodney G. Talbot
• Grand Histor (historian) – Christopher T. Hanson
• Grand Hypophetes (chaplain) – Dr. James Hickey
• Grand Pylortes (sergeant at arms) – Robert W. Jefferis
• Grand Hegemon (educator) - Brian Montgomery
• At-Large Member - Gregory L. Geoffroy
• At-Large Member - Anthony Clemens
• CAC Student Representative - Sean Finn

Notable alumni

Chapters and colonies

Tau Kappa Epsilon is also affiliated with the German fraternity system known as the Corps of the Weinheimer Senioren-Convent (WSC). The WSC serves as an umbrella organization for 60 student Corps at 22 cities all over Germany.

References

External links

• Tau Kappa Epsilon