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TKE History
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Mini TKE Guide
Our Beginning, Growth, and DevelopmentOn the cold night of January 10, 1899, students of Illinois Wesleyan university in the small midwestern town of Bloomington had just returned from the Christmas holidays when Joseph L. Settles went to the room occupied by James C. McNutt and Clarence A. Mayer at 504 East Locust Street to propound organization of a new society on campus.Joined immediately by Owen I. Truitt and Roy C.Atkinson, these five men then drew up the first set of regulations for the Knights of Classic Lore, a society whose avowed purpose was "to aid college men in mental, moral, and social development." Because of his late arrival for this meeting, James J. Love was made the first new member after which George A. Thorpe, Edwin A. Palmer, and he, became the first initiates of this new organization. Although Settles was the leader in organizing the society, Atkinson was elected President and McNutt was chosen as Secretary. There were two fraternities already in existence at Illinois Wesleyan in 1899, both with more than 50 chapters nationally. Phi Gamma Delta had been established at IWU in 1866, while Sigma Chi had begun there in 1883. In addition, two other national fraternities- Phi Delta Theta and Delta Tau Delta- had inactive chapters at Illinois Wesleyan, the Phi Delts existing from 1878-1897 and the Delts from 1877-1880.
It was not long after their recognition on campus, however, that the Knights of Classic Lore were approached by some of the alumni of the Illinois Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta, whose charter had been surrendered in 1897. The Phi Delt alumni saw in this new group an opportunity for the restoration of its charter and, accordingly, interested themselves in converting it into a strong local fraternity. Through the persuasion and effort of Richard Henry Little, a columnist on the Chicago Tribune and one of the most prominent Phi Delt alumni, the Knights of Classic Lore presented a petition to the Phi Delta Theta national organization at its convention in New York in 1902. The petition was rejected. In order that their organization might be more attractive to Phi Delta Theta, it was decided that a Greek-letter name should be adopted. The name "Knights of Classic Lore" was therefore abandoned and the Greek Letters Tau Kappa Epsilon selected. As a further step, a fraternity house was rented. It is significant that this was the first fraternity house at Illinois Wesleyan although Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Chi had been in existence on campus for many years. The Wilder Mansion, former home of President Wilder of the University, became the first TKE house. In the ensuing years, the Phi Delt alumni and some of the undergraduate members continued to press for affiliation with Phi Delta Theta with petitions being presented at the 1904 and 1906 Phi Delt national convention. In each instance, however, the petition was either withdrawn or postponed. It is reported that one of the petitions came within one vote of being accepted.
One of the measures advocated by McCauley in his address was the publication of a quarterly magazine called THE TEKE. This proposal met with immediate approval and the first issue was published in January, 1908, with Clyde M. Leach as the editor.
The first Grand Officers were: Grand Prytanis, Lester H. Martin; Grand Epiprytanis, William Wilson; Grand Grammateus, Clyde E. Leighty; Grand Histor, L.W. Tuesburg; Grand Crysophylos, James J. Love; Grand Hypophetes, Arthur A. Heinlein, and Grand Pylortes, Clyde H. Meyers. The office of Grand Hegemon was not to be created until the 1951 Conclave.
On April 6, 1909 Lester H. Martin, Arthur Heinlein, and L.W. Tuesburg, plus a delegation of actives from Alpha Chapter, paid a visit to Chi Rho Sigma, a local fraternity at Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois. The Grand Prytanis appointed a committee to investigate the local further, and when the committee reported favorably, the first petition was written with pen and ink on a piece of Decatur YMCA stationary and unanimously approved by the Grand Council. Beta Chapter was installed on Saturday, April 17, 1909, at Decatur, Illinois. A banquet was held that evening at the Decatur Hotel attended by members of Alpha Chapter and TKE alumni. It is significant to note that from the very beginning petitioning groups were thoroughly investigated and that an installation banquet was held. These policies have been followed without exception since.
In the Spring of 1910, it was announced that Alpha Chapter, after living 11 years in a rented house, had purchased the home of a Wesleyan professor at the cost of $8,500. This, the first house ever owned by a fraternity at Illinois Wesleyan, was located at 406 East Walnut Street, and served as the home of the chapter until the fall of 1924. On February 10-11, 1911, the third Conclave convened at Decatur, Illinois, with the Grand Officers and delegates from Alpha and Beta again in attendance. William Wilson was elected Grand Prytanis.
The significance if the location of these first three chapters, closely approximating an equilateral triangle on the map, was at once realized and has been symbolized ever since by the traditional position and shape of the badge. Because of the geographical significance of these three chapters, consideration was given to cutting off any further growth.
Earlier in the year, on February 9-10, the fourth Conclave had been held at Bloomington with Gamma Chapter represented for the first time. This Conclave order a revision of the ritual, provided for inspection of chapters, created the very important Judiciary Committee, created the system of traditions, amended the constitution to give each Past Grand Prytanis life membership in the Grand Chapter, and approved the former associate member button. The fifth Conclave, held in Decatur, Illinois, on February 14-15, 1913, saw the election of L.W. Tuesburg as Grand Prytanis. Tuesburg, a loyal servant throughout the history of TKE, was re-elected Grand Prytanis by the sixth Conclave on April 17-18, 1914, held in Champaign, Illinois. At this Conclave the first complete code of fraternity laws was enacted under Frater Tuesburg's leadership.
Voluminous correspondence was carried on with numerous prospects during this time, however, and a group at Iowa State College in Ames determined, as early as 1913, to petition TKE for a charter as soon as faculty permission could be secured. One of the first acts of the new Grand Prytanis, Lyle F. Straight, elected at the seventh Conclave in Galesburg, Illinois, April 16-17, 1915, was to receive a petition from this group, known as the Seminoles. The Seminoles were installed as Epsilon Chapter on May 28, 1915, as the leadership of the fraternity overcame any desire for provincialism. With this event, Tau Kappa Epsilon may be said to have acquired a truly national scope. With five chapters, TKE was eligible for membership in the National Interfraternity Council and was admitted as a senior member on November 27, 1915. Tau Kappa Epsilon had, for the first time, crossed the borders of Illinois; had been admitted into the councils of national fraternities; and had completed a period of slow development. In six years, TKE had added but four chapters. In the next two years, however, five additional chapters were admitted into the fraternity. The chapters chartered were: Zeta at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 21, 1916; Eta at the University of Chicago, February 17, 1917; Theta at the University of Minnesota, March 10, 1917; Iota at Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois, April 21, 1917; and Kappa at Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, May 12, 1917. The eighth Conclave convened at Bloomington, April 28-29, 1916, and re-elected Frater Straight was Grand Prytanis. On April 27-28, 1917, the month of America's entry into the First World War, the ninth Conclave was held at Ames, Iowa. Oscar G. Hoose was chosen as Grand Prytanis. The minutes of the Conclave gave no mention of the approaching conflict save a single resolution "embodying the spirit of the fraternity with respect to the war situation."
With the entry of the United States into World War I and its accompanying transformation of the colleges into the Student's Army Training Corps, fraternity activities on every campus were practically suspended for more than a year. The enactment of the emergency war legislation, most of which became permanent, began a trend, ever since continuing, toward a strong centralized national organization and, at the same time, a compact yet rapidly expanding fraternity.
The record of Tau Kappa Epsilon in World War I was most creditable. Many men saw active service both at home and in Europe, while scores were enrolled in the S.A.T.C. At the tenth Conclave in Chicago, April 26-27, 1918, it was revealed that Tau Kappa Epsilon had a total membership of 702- 173 active members and 529 alumni. Of the alumni, 204 or 38 1/2 percent were directly involved in the war effort. The years 1919 and 1920 witnessed two rather uneventful Conclaves, the eleventh, at Beloit, and the twelfth, at Minneapolis, and the chartering of Mu, Nu, and Xi chapters. The Akela Club, at the University of Wisconsin, had become Lambda Chapter in 1918, the only wartime acquisition. Mu Chapter originated from Sigma Alpha Phi, a local at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Phi Omega, a local fraternity at Washington University in St. Louis, was granted a charter as Xi Chapter by the Minneapolis Conclave. Tau Kappa Epsilon passed through the war crisis and restored all of its chapters to complete activity, a remarkable achievement for such a young struggling fraternity. As the first decade of its existence as a national fraternity closed in 1919, plans were being mapped for a new era in the history of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
With this change the affairs of the fraternity became better coordinated, a new national consciousness evolved, a centralized administration organization developed, and Tau Kappa Epsilon began to assume an importance and secure recognition in the fraternity world. William D. Reeve (Minnesota) was elected Grand Prytanis at the thirteenth Conclave, and was the first who was not an alumnus of Alpha. Frater Reeve presided over the fourteenth Conclave, held at Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1922, at which "hazing" in fraternity initiation and pledging activities was soundly condemned. Phillip H. McGrath, (Millikin) was elected as the fraternity's national President at the fifteenth Conclave in St. Louis, October 24-25, 1923.
This Conclave selected Leland F. "Pete" Leland as Grand Histor, a position he was able to hold for 25 continuous years. Leland, who was later chosen as president of the College Fraternity Editor's Association, served as editor of THE TEKE, building it to a position as one of the finest magazines in the fraternity world. National Founders
The years 1926-30 were ones of steady growth, expanding both east and west, under the leadership of Grand Prytanis Miles Gray in 1926-28 and Milton Olander in 1928-30. Eight new chapters had been installed by the nineteenth Conclave in San Francisco, September 3-5, 1930, bringing the total chapter roll up to 32. This Conclave elected Eugene C. Beach as the eleventh Grand Prytanis. These years were also years of grief, as the entire fraternity mourned the passing of Founders Owen 1. Truitt and C. Roy Atkinson. Both Founders died in auto accidents‹Truitt on July 13, 1929, and Atkinson on September 14, 1930.
Eight new chapters were added during this period and many chapters pledged larger numbers of men each year. Only two chapters‹the University of Chicago and the University of Nebraska‹ were not active following the Depression. Tau Kappa Epsilon also absorbed the membership of a small national, Sigma Mu Sigma, in 1934, but this resulted in only one new chapter, Alpha-Pi at George Washington University in D.C. The only Conclave held during these five years was in 1935 at the Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois. This Conclave, which was postponed each year for financial reasons, instituted for the first time a program of addresses during the sessions and at lunches and dinners. However, the most significant measure adopted at this twentieth Conclave was the recognition of Lester H. Martin, L. W. Tuesburg, William Wilson, and Wallace G. McCauley for their dedicated and untiring efforts in the building of Tau Kappa Epsilon. These four men were named National Founders for their work in making TKE truly a "national" fraternity.
With war clouds on the horizon in 1939, Herbert Helble was elected Grand Prytanis. However, because of the pressure of other activities in this time of turmoil, Frater Helble resigned in 1941. L. W. Tuesburg, then Grand Epiprytanis, was elevated to the presidency, his second term as Grand Prytanis, serving until June 21, 1942. In 1941, Grand Grammateus "Tex" Flint resigned his office after 20 years of service. Housing the central office at first in his home, Frater Flint had moved the office to a new building in Lombard, Illinois in 1927 and maintained it there until 1941. With the resignation of Frater Flint, Past Grand Prytanis Lyle Straight was elected Grand Grammateus and the national office was moved to Bloomington, Illinois. Three new chapters were installed during this period, with Alpha-Chi Chapter at the University of Louisville being the last pre-war charter.
The severe manpower drain hit the colleges and the fraternity system in 1943, causing many chapters to go inactive and nearly all to abandon their houses. In September, 1943, only 19 of TKE's chapters were still active and only two‹Alpha-Zeta at Purdue and Alpha-Phi at Kansas‹still had houses. All the other chapter houses had been relinquished for the duration of the war. No Conclaves were held during the war period in conformity with governmental orders and also to conserve fraternity funds. While the fraternity continued to function, and continued to give essential services to both chapters and fraters, all expenses were cut to the bone. THE TEKE magazine was suspended during the war in favor of a less expensive newspaper called Teke Life. This paper was sent out to every Teke on record, regardless of subscription status, in order to help maintain the interest of Tekes everywhere during this period when many of their undergraduate chapters were dormant. For the first time the office of Grand Grammateus was separated from the duties of Executive Secretary and a part-time Executive Secretary was hired. Dr. E. L. Theiss, professor of accounting at he University of Illinois, assumed this position, hired a full-time secretary, and set up the National Office in Champaign, Illinois. In 1945, Frater Theiss tendered his resignation and V. J. Hampton, Assistant Dean of Men at the University of Illinois, was hired as Executive Secretary.
With so few chapters functioning during 1943-45, the income upon which the fraternity depended to operate was drastically limited. To provide TKE with some security to prevent financial failure and to provide funds upon which to operate, the Teke Loyalty Fund was created. Into this fund loyal TKE alumni contributed nearly $30,000, without which the fraternity could not have surmounted the tremendous hurdles that appeared. Each alumnus was asked to contribute the small sum of $3.00 annually to provide a fund for post-war chapter reactivation and new installations.
Dr. Irving P. Krick, one of the world's leading meteorologists who set the date for Eisenhower's Normandy invasion; Major General Dan C. Ogle, Surgeon General of the Air Force; Rear Admiral R. C. Williams, Assistant Surgeon General of the U. S. Public Health Service; Brig. Gen. Glen C. McBridge; Brig. Gen. John C. P. Bartholf; Brig. Gen. Loyal M. Haynes; Brig. Gen. W. E. Chambers; and Brig. Gen. Hugh M. Milton. According to the best available data, 196 Tekes gave their lives for their country and 30 received decorations exceeding that of the Bronze Star during World War II. Several changes in the composition of the Grand Council occurred during the "war years." Grand Epiprytanis Charles R. Walgreen, Jr. was required to resign in 1943 because of business pressures when he assumed the presidency of the Walgreen Drug Store chain, and Grand Pylortes R. C. Williams was elevated to Grand Epiprytanis. When Grand Prytanis Nieman was also forced to resign because of professional and business activities in 1944, Frater Williams ascended. To this aggressive, dedicated TKE leader fell the massive task of leading the rehabilitation after the War.
Some TKE leaders felt that the fraternity had neither the resources nor the knowhow to survive , and advocated its dissolution or merger with another national. In fact, a merger was discussed with Kappa Delta Rho, another small national with 17 chapters, but the merger failed for lack of agreement on behalf of both parties. Frater Williams, however, held steadfastly to the belief that Tau Kappa Epsilon was constructed of a fiber that would not only survive the crisis but would be the leader in the fraternity world in the years to come. By the end of hostilities in 1945, the rehabilitation was already underway. Several chapters had been revived, bringing the total active chapter roll back up to 19. This year also saw the adoption of a plan, made possible by the Teke Loyalty Fund, of hiring Traveling Supervisors on a full-time basis. This plan, used successfully by Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, and a few other nationals, had been used on a very limited scale by TKE before the War, but this year marked the first real utilization of the program. These Traveling Supervisors, competent young men and recent graduates, were of inestimable value in reactivating dormant chapters, in training and indoctrinating the fraters of the active chapters, and in promoting the program of expansion that was to follow. The first post-war Traveling Supervisor, Robert Nelson, was actually working in the field less than a month after V-J Day.
Tau Kappa Epsilon had also, for the first time, penetrated the South. This move was made possible in the fall of 1946 when Alpha Lambda Tau, a small predominantly Southern national fraternity, announced its dissolution. Five of the then eight active chapters of Alpha Lambda Tau affiliated with TKE, giving Tau Kappa Epsilon chapters at the University of Maryland, North Carolina State, Auburn, Louisiana Tech, and Tri-State College in Indiana. On September 4-7, 1947, the twenty-fourth Conclave was held in Champaign, Illinois, the first Conclave since 1942. Dr. Williams was again elected, an endorsement of his program of growth and rehabilitation. In September, 1949, Frater Williams stepped down as Grand Prytanis after five years of service in that office, and Grand Histor Leland F. Leland was elected. With rapidly expanding college enrollments and with the fraternity's feet planted firmly on the ground, the future for TKE indeed looked bright.
This Conclave was attended by Founders James C. McNutt and Clarence A. Mayer. Founder Joseph L. Settles had died on February 15, 1943.
Such a rise in power was possible only through the dynamic leadership of a succession of Grand Prytanis and National Officers dedicated to the principle that strength emanates from growth, aided by an increasingly efficient national organization, and by the detailed planning and devoted service of TKE leaders obsessed with the desire to make Tau Kappa Epsilon the number one fraternity in the country. Grand Prytanis during this expansion of the fraternity were Leland F. Leland (1949-51), Sophus C. Goth (1951-53), James C. Logan (1953-57), and Frank B. Scott (1957-59). For their efforts and devoted service during the growth period of the fraternity since World War II, Fraters Williams, Leland, Logan, and Scott were named Expansion Leaders. During Frater Leland's administration, extensive revision of the national constitution and bylaws was successfully completed. This long-needed overhaul of the basic laws of the fraternity was officially approved and adopted at the 1951 Conclave by the passage sage of over a hundred separate amendments. One of the significant changes made at this Conclave was the establishment of the office of Grand Hegemon and the adoption of a plan for national leadership conferences.
Frater Leland was succeeded as Grand Prytanis at the twentysixth Conclave, held in Roanoke, Virginia, by Grand Epiprytanis Goth, a long-time member of the Grand Council. During Frater Leland's term of office, 20 new chapters were installed and Tau Chapter at Oregon State, one of the four chapters to become dormant during the Depression and war years, was reactivated.
This important milestone in TKE history was commemorated by the publication of a special issue of THE TEKE, reviewing the history of TKE growth and development from that day in 1909 when Tau Kappa Epsilon was launched forth on its national career. Nine new chapters were installed during Frater Goth's term.
In 1956, Richard R. Hall became Executive Secretary and the National Office was moved to Kansas City. The office of Executive Secretary thus became a fulltime administrative position. The twenty-ninth Conclave in August, 1957, at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, chose Grand Epiprytanis Frank B. Scott to head the fraternity. During Frater Scott's administration, 21 new chapters were installed, two of which were of special importance. Canadian Alpha colony at the University of Manitoba became Zeta-Iota Chapter on Murch 15, 1958, making TKE an international fraternity. For his efforts in securing TKE's first Canadian chapter, Bruce B. Melchert was named International Founder by Grand Prytanis Logan. Frater Melchert also holds the Order of the Silver Maple Leaf, an award presented by Zeta-lota Chapter recognizing men who give service to TKE in Canada. On April 4, 1959, Zeta-Omicron Chapter was installed at Western arolina College, Cullowhee, North Carolina. This event was a andmark in that it made Tau Kappa Epsilon the largest social raternity in the world.
Don Kaser, a veteran of ten years of service on the Grand Council, was elected Grand Prytanis at the thirtieth Conclave at the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel in Detroit, September 1-5, 1959. Frater Kaser's administration saw 41 new chapters installed, the most significant being the 200th charter to lota-Theta Chapter at Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana, on March 24, 1963. TKE thus become the first fraternity to install 200 chapters, a goal long considered impossible. Under the leadership of Frater Kaser, Tau Kappa Epsilon achieved a position of solid financial stability; dedicated its first permanent International Headquarters building; and formulated and instigated new programs becoming that of the largest and most progressive fraternity. The thirty-first Conclave at the Roney Plaza in Miami Beach, Florida, September, 1961, greatly aided the fraternity's fiscal operations by eliminating the monthly dues procedure and adopting the single initiation fee. Increased operating efficiency, plus sound financial management, enabled the fraternity to repay all reserve funds in full by 1962 operating on an annual budget in excess of $300,000. In 1960 Bruce B. Melchert, CFC, became Executive Director, and the fraternity office, or Offices of the Grand Chapter as it is appropriately known, was moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, during 1961. The Offices of the Grand Chapter building in Indianapolis, contains the offices of the Executive Director and the administrative staff, and houses the files, records, and equipment of the fraternity. Among the many new dimensional goals formulated was the establishment of a TKE placement service to aid fraters in obtaining employment.
The thirty-second Conclave, held in August, 1963, at the Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis, marked the election of l. Russel Salsbury as Grand Prytanis and the dedication of the Offices of the Grand Chapter building.
The fraternity finances were brought up to date as a taxexempt foundation was started and incorporated as the Teke Educational Foundation, Inc., and the housing fund incorporated as the TKE House Fund, Inc. An alumni dues program was begun to supplement the fraternity's income. The fraternity began to take steps to preserve its history as a very active history committee, composed mainly of National Founder L. W. Tuesburg, Grand Histor Emeritus Leland, and Past Grand Prytanis "Tex" Flint, began to write down their memories. This resulted in the publication of "The Reminiscences of L. W. Tuesburg" in 1963 and a history of the 1899 to 1915 period in 1966. The most important legislation of the 1965 Conclave was the Board of Directors concept, the result of four years of study by the Administrative Survey Commission. Under this concept, many of the routine duties traditionally done by a Grand Officer have been assigned to the Offices of the Grand Chapter staff. The Grand Prytanis (President), the Grand Grammateus (Secretary), and the Grand Crysophylos (Treasurer), still retain their basic duties as officers of the fraternity, but the other Grand Officers do special projects as assigned by the Grand Prytanis. To handle many of the routine tasks which the Offices of the Grand Chapter assumed, TKE was the second fraternity to convert to an electronic data processing system. Most of the financial and membership records have been converted to high speed data processing form.
In another effort to improve the image of TKE and the fraternity system, the fraternity planned its first Public Service Week in 1966. The week was a great success with more participation and more good publicity than its creators ever imagined. It has been adopted as an annual project.
Past Grand Prytanis "Tex" Flint died February 21, Grand Prytanis Emeritus L. W. Tuesburg died June 10, and incumbent Grand Prytanis J. Russel Salsbury died June 3. Salsbury was the first Grand Prytanis to die during his term. Salsbury was succeeded by Donald H. Becker, who pledged himself to continue the policies and fulfill the goals of his predecessor.
At the 1971 Conclave in Asheville, North Carolina, then Grand Epiprytanis Lenwood Cochran succeeded Donald H. Becker as Grand Prytanis of our fraternity. The ritual of the Fraternity was updated at this Conclave. The new ritual keeps the spirit and meaning of the original, but arranges it in a more usable form with modern language.
At the 1975 Conclave, held at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club, Grand Epiprytanis William H. Wisdom, CFC, was elected Grand Prytanis, succeeding William A. Quallich. During his administration, the fraternity moved forward with a number of innovations including the purchase of a new computer for the Offices of the Grand Chapter. TKE was the second fraternity to convert to electronic data processing in the 1960's. The addition of this new equipment allowed all of the fraternity's financial and membership records to be converted to high-speed data processing. 1975 also saw the return of TKE to the National Interfraternity Conference, the umbrella organization of the fraternity movement.
In 1979, Tau Kappa Epsilon held its 40th Conclave in French Lick, Indiana. One of the highlights of the 1979 Conclave was a trip to Louisville, Kentucky and a ride on the riverboat, the "Belle of Louisville." A bold new philanthropic program centered around the TKE Keg Roll was implemented in 1979. Grand Epiprytanis Rodney Williams, Jr., CFC, was elected as the 28th Grand Prytanis.
Tau Kappa Epsilon unveiled a number of new programs and concepts in 1982. A special program of Regional Leadership Conferences was added to the already existing schedule of District Leadership Conferences. A greater focus on alumni involvement and volunteers was introduced as part of the dynamic new Regional Servicing Program. Full-color recruitment posters, buttons, brochures and special slide presentations were introduced as part of a comprehensive national marketing theme, "TKE . . . The Winning Tradition." In 1983, the 42nd Biennial Conclave was held at the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme for this conclave was "Tradition of Excellence." Grand Epiprytanis Dwayne R. Woerpel, CFC, was installed as TKE's 30th Grand Prytanis. An exciting highlight of this Conclave was the conclusion of the TKE Keg Roll V during a special celebration in the New Orleans Superdome. In addition, the first Ronald Reagan Leadership Award was presented to Frater Rex Davis, an alumnus of Beta-Psi Chapter at Arkansas State University. One of TKE's most historic events took place on March 23, 1984, when an impressive group of TKE leaders gathered for a special fraternal celebration at the White House in Washington, D.C. Frater Ronald Reagan, a lifelong supporter of Tau Kappa Epsilon, was awarded the NIC Gold Medal, the highest award among fraternities, for his lifelong efforts to support and promote college fraternities. In addition, Grand Prytanis Dwayne R. Woerpel presented Frater Reagan with the Order of the Golden Eagle, the highest award in Tau Kappa Epsilon, for his exemplary lifelong commitment to our fraternity and for his many efforts to assist and promote TKE. Orlando, Florida was the site of the 43rd Conclave. Held on August 17-20, 1985, this Conclave included the kick-off of the Second Century Endowment of the TEF Campaign. This aggressive fundraising program was developed to insure the financial future of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Frater Joel E. Johnson, CFC, was installed as the new Grand Prytanis. The Order of the Golden Eagle was given posthumously to Frater Harry F. Donnelly. Frater Donnelly was a founder of the Teke Educational Foundation. The new "America's Fraternity" theme campaign was introduced, and many fraters enjoyed "TKE Day" at Walt Disney World. The 44th Conclave was held at the Grand Hyatt on August 19-2Z, 1987 in Washington, D.C. The new Fraternity theme "For Winners Only" was unveiled and fraters enjoyed the sights and sounds of our nation's capital. This "Capitol Conclave" was the largest in TKE history with more than 900 fraters and friends in attendance. Guests enjoyed a TKE tour of the White House, arranged by Frater Ronald Reagan especially for the Fraternity. Frater Bruce B. Melchert, CFC, was elected as our new Grand Prytanis. As the eighties came to a close, fraternities were closely scrutinized by college and university officials. Injuries and deaths from hazing incidents cast a dark shadow upon the Greek system. Several schools banned fraternities, and others established committees to look at the future of Greek life on campus, with more soon to follow. After careful study, Tau Kappa Epsilon proposed a bold new approach to membership development. Although the Associate Member Program was a vast improvement over traditional pledging, it was felt that more needed to be done. As long as the new member was perceived as a second-class citizen, the potential for hazing existed. TKE created the Membership Development Program as a bold new move to perpetuate the Fraternity for Life. The traditional pledge period was replaced with an educational program designed to continue long after traditional pledgeship would have ended. Candidates for membership had to pass a review by a Membership Quality Board, ensuring that all new members met chapter standards. Standards regarding scholarship, leadership, member duties, and others were set by each chapter. A professionally produced series of videotapes, known as The Spirit of TKE", supplemented the learning experience. These tapes covered all areas of chapter management, fraternity history, operations, and other vital topics. Unlike the Associate Member" period of days past, the Membership Development Program offered ongoing education throughout an undergraduate's career. Special levels of achievement were designated to recognize continuing participation in fraternal, campus, and community affairs. At the 45th Conclave in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 19, 1989, the Membership Development Program was endorsed by the Grand Chapter. Pledging become part of TKE's history. This historic event brought national attention to Tau Kappa Epsilon, once again taking the leadership role in the fraternity system. Frater James S. Margolin was installed as our 48th Grand Prytanis.
The first 50 years for Tau Kappa Epsilon--- from its founding in 1899 to 1949--- were years of steady, yet slow, development. It was a period in which the obstacles were not small--- two world wars, the Great Depression, and competition with national fraternities who were 50 years older. These crises were encountered by TKE, not as a large, financially secure organization, but as a young, struggling fraternity. Not establishing its second chapter until 1909, TKE entered World War I with only 10 chapters and a total membership of just over 700. Likewise, World War II hit TKE when it had only 38 active chapters and a membership of less than 10,000. It is not likely that Tau Kappa Epsilon would have surmounted these hurdles‹and many others‹without the competent leadership and devoted service of men like Lester H. Martin, William Wilson, L. W. Tuesburg, Wallace G. McCauley, Harrold P. Flint, Eugene C. Beach, Leland F. Leland, Dr. R. C. Williams, and many others. It was TKE's Founders, however, who provided the inspiration upon which the fraternity was built. They dared to be unique ‹unique in their vision, foresight, ideals, and principles. They gave Tau Kappa Epsilon the spirit of genuine democracy and challenged the fraternity to choose men not for their wealth, rank, or honor, but for their personal worth and character. They left the fraternity with a priceless heritage and challenged Tekes everywhere to climb the mountain peaks of human achievement. In spite of this priceless heritage that is built into the first 50 years of its existence, Tau Kappa Epsilon was still a small, somewhat insignificant, fraternity in 1949. It has been only since World War II that TKE has gained the power, prestige, and importance it now possesses. Therefore, TKE, although founded at a somewhat early date, is still a youthful fraternity in the age of its chapters. More than 80 percent of the chapters have been installed since 1947. Competing with its senior fraternities throughout the United States and Canada, Tau Kappa Epsilon has demonstrated a competitive spirit, vitality, and ability to succeed seldom found in the fraternity world. According to the College Survey Bureau, an independent organization that rates college fraternities and sororities, only 24% of TKE's chapters ranked in the upper half of the groups on their campus in 1948. However, by 1955 this percentage had been raised to 39% and in 1966, following that decade of dynamic growth, 64% of the TKE chapters were ranked in the upper half. By 1978, 76% of chapters were upper half. In total national strength--- a College Survey Bureau index based on size times quality--- Tau Kappa Epsilon moved from 11th place among fraternities in 1956 to 1st place in 1966 and has remained first ever since. TKE's post-war growth has not been a wild surge but has rather been a long sustained forward march. During the 17-year period from 1947 through 1963, a total of 165 new chapters were installed‹an average of 9.7 chapters per year, with the largest numbers installed in any one year being 13. Further evidence of the strength attained by this growth can be seen by a review of other statistics. From 1947-63, the number of undergraduate members and pledges rose from 1,870 to 10,546 and the average chapter size increased from 38 to 53 men per chapter. The number of men initiated per year increased from 1,542 to 4,163 and the total initiates rose from 12,589 in 1947 to 62,262 in 1965. By 1969 that number had exceeded 80,000 and on March 20, 1972, James T. Slavin, Jr., of Alpha-Gamma Chapter at Washington State University, became the 100,000th initiate of TKE. Today, Tau Kappa Epsilon's leadership in the fraternity world is evident. The largest college social fraternity, TKE has almost 300 active chapters and colonies, in excess of 9,000 undergraduate members, and 155,000 alumni--- all feats which have been accomplished in a remarkably short period of time. Tau Kappa Epsilon has gained this position of strength‹not by luck or lowered standards‹but by detailed planning, devoted service, and inspired leadership. Also instrumental in its success has been a "pioneering" spirit that has characterized TKE from its beginning and farsighted leaders who have had the fortitude to accept the challenge of the unknown. Able to foresee the expanding college enrollments of the future, TKE was the first large national fraternity to expand into small state colleges, many of whom are now major state universities.
Further growth and progress can be expected. TKE leaders are not likely to stand still amidst changing times. The late Grand Prytanis Dan Kaser, speaking at the 32nd Conclave in 1963, said: "TKE has been fortunate to have leaders who foresaw, at an early date, the increase in college population. Our growth has paralleled that of increasing enrollments, thus placing TKE in an enviable position among our fellow fraternities. We should continue this selective growth so long as there are colleges and universities capable of meeting our standards. " Further service to individual chapters, undergraduate members, and alumni will be evident‹even more efficient administration, modern computer hardware and software, and the latest methods of operation, pioneering programs such as placement service, undergraduate scholarships, public service projects, and scholastic and intellectual programs; and, above all, the devoted service of competent leaders. A priceless heritage, an unparalleled record of growth and progress, a bright and promising future . . . this is TAU KAPPA EPSILON.
Comments and Questions: info@ucf-tke.org Copyright © 1999, Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. All Rights Reserved. |
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