Information about Tau Kappa Epsilon

How can 2% equal 80%?

The American college Fraternity is one of the few institutions on our higher educational structure, which was invented by us and not borrowed from European models. Not surprisingly, it has been a symbol of American college student independence, pride, and leadership.

Fraternity men represent about 2% of the male population of America. What is happening to that 2%? They are leading this nation! Approximately 80% of the executives of the 500 largest corporations in America are fraternity men. More than three fourths of our U.S. Senators are fraternity men, as are a majority of the men listed in Who's Who in America. Of the sixteen U.S. Presidents who had a chance to join a College Fraternity, thirteen took advantage of the opportunity. So many College Presidents have been fraternity members that the total would run into the thousands.

How and why are fraternities able to produce such a large percentage of our nation's leaders? The easiest way to answer this question is to examine just what happens in a Fraternity.

A college fraternity provides a young man with the opportunity to learn how to work together with people, whether it be for the highest grades, the best homecoming float, a community service project, or merely to keep the house clean. A fraternity provides a unique combination: family, home away from home, social organization, business and organization in which students can develop confidence as they acquire competence. The opportunities for leadership are unlimited and the most important thing is that the principles of leadership are learned through experience.

This experience teaches Fraternity men that success is not automatic, but rather, that knowledge and performance are what count most. A Fraternity man learns how to develop sensitivity regarding the desires, goals, and aspirations of others; how to communicate, how to inspire, how to motivate; the importance of setting an example; how to delegate responsibility; and how to accept failure as well as success and glory. He learns that a true leader must have the courage to stand up for his beliefs, while also being attentive, interested, and responsive to those who may disagree.

Too many students come to college, sign up for classes, study from test to test memorizing material and feeding it back at test time. They may get good grades and graduate, but it is surprising how many college graduates are wandering around looking for jobs because they did not develop the ability to work with people or the basic qualities of leadership while they were in college. The qualities of leadership must be tested and developed by each person and a fraternity provides the opportunity for students for just that. This is how 2% can equal 80%.

The Scoop

TKE is friendship.

It is a deep friendship and mutual understanding among a group of men who have similar ideals, hopes, and purposes. Such a bond of friendship and understanding furnishes the indispensable incentive, which helps the college man develop into a poised, and self-confident adult--equipped with a keener mind, a greater appreciation, and broader sympathies, and fortified by a group of true and understanding friends, which will abide throughout life.

Any definition, however, would be inadequate without describing what a fraternity does or what characteristics it possesses. To this end TKE is:

1) Adventure In Group Living. 
2) Education In Leadership. 
3) Crucible Of Democracy. 
4) Idealism In Action. 
5) A Magnificent Obsession. 
6) A Mutually-Selective Organization

Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity has well over 300 chapters in the United States and Canada. TKE is the largest social
Fraternity in the world and has been rated number one in overall strength by an independent firm.

An International Fraternity offers the individual the advantage of visiting other chapters when he travels to different campuses. TKE
chapters strive to welcome Tekes from abroad to their fellowship. Students transferring to other Colleges or Universities have the
opportunity to affiliate with the TKE chapter at their new school.

Tau Kappa Epsilon utilizes a Democratic form of Fraternal Government. All members, both undergraduate and alumni, have the right to interpret and engineer policy for the Fraternity in their own way. TKE is a growing organization, flexible, to be shaped to the needs of the times and conditions.

Tau Kappa Epsilon has loan funds for TKE undergraduates and graduates who need money to complete their education. A student may borrow up to five hundred dollars at a low interest rate.

Publications provided by the International Headquarters include the Fraternity magazine: the Teke, which has been acclaimed "one of the top ten Fraternity magazines in the Fraternity world;" many other useful booklets such as guides for financial development, rush programs, fund raising and public relations are also offered.

Tau Kappa Epsilon is the Fraternity for Life!

Objectives of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

1) To cherish and maintain the high ideals in which Tau Kappa
Epsilon was founded: Love, Charity and Esteem.

2) To regard intellectual, moral, and physical development as a vital
importance and to foster and preserve high academic standing.

3) To recognize man as a social being and that exclusiveness is the
direct endeavor of a true Fraternity.

4) To take inspiration from our Ritual in the belief in the Fatherhood
of God and the sanctity of the family relations.

5) To employ secrecy to insure the dignity of our Ritual and the
privacy of our internal affairs.

6) To train each member in leadership, personal and civil
responsibility, and to instill the principles of good citizenship.

7) To stimulate lifelong support and participation in institutional
programs and to develop close cooperation between members,
administration officials, faculty, and other student organizations.

8) To select members based on personal worth of character, not for
wealth, rank, or honor, as above all this Fraternity stands for MEN.

9) To achieve the art of gracious and purposeful living, both in the
institutional community and in the years that follow.

10) To operate as a Fraternity in conduct as well as in name.

Purposeful Associate Member Program

The Associate Member period is relatively short and comprehensive. Through this period an Associate Member will be treated as a Brother in the respects that he will be allowed to:

1) Attend and actively participate in chapter meetings.
2) Serve on a committee.
3) Wear Fraternal letters of recognition.
4) Participate in intramural sports on the Fraternity team.
5) Attend all chapter social functions.
6) Make use of all academic aides available to the chapter.

Before you become an Associate, you may choose a Big Brother in conjunction with the President and Associate Member Educator. Your Big Brother is the Teke that "shows the ropes" to his Little Brother (the Associate). It is the duty of the Big Brother to counsel the Associate Member. To many Tekes, choosing a Big Brother is the most important decision to make. If you should decide to join, a list of active Brothers will be made available to aid you in this choice.

Tau Kappa Epsilon takes pride in its heritage and as an Associate you will be taught the history, workings and traditions of this chapter and of the International Fraternity.

Tekes are well aware of the costs a healthy social life can have on ones academic endeavors. For this reason an emphasis is placed on academic achievement throughout the Associate Member period. Joining and becoming a beneficial part of any organization takes time and TKE makes sure that your time is well spent