Ronald Wilson Reagan, President, TKE

[Erik P Conard]

He was not mentioned among famous greeks, and Ronald W.
"Dutch" Reagan was initiated at Eureka College in Illinois as an
undergrad. He served as president of the chapter as did his brother John Neil "Moon" Reagan.
Reagan and his then-wife Jane Wyman built the college library.
He has returned many times to Eureka and to the TKE house.
He made two rush films for TKE and has been a lifelong supporter
of the greeks. He invited all the greek presidents at Ohio State
to have lunch with him at the Teke house in Columbus. They did.
He likely visited more fraternity chapters than all the rest of the
US presidents combined. And there is no question about it, he is
the greatest supporter of the greeks the presidency ever had.
The undergrads loved him...wherever he went. He was a warm
and genial man who took seriously Fraternity for Life.

[ZZ-kai-]

Erik -

I just returned from a difficult weekend down in the Eureka, IL area. My wifes Grandfather and Grandmother live in that area, both of which are greek. He is TKE from Alpha (IL Weslyan) and she is a Alpha Gam from the same school - both circa 1945. Grandpa is about to die from kidney failure, and we all think Grandma is right behind him - so it was a very sad weekend.

We were fortunate enough to have both of their badges passed down to us, as well as Grandmas Phi Kappa Phi honorary badge and a TKE paddle from the late 1940's. This was our only request, as they have a KKG and a KAT granddaugther - both of which seem to have forgotten their Greek roots....so we figured it was our duty to maintain their badges (my wife is an Alpha Xi)

Lastly, I was down in that area during Easter, and chose to take the short trip East to Galesburg - home of Knox College (as if I needed to tell you that). It was pretty neat to see our Beta house sitting next to the TKE house. Our Knox chapter wins awards after awards and it located right in the middle of campus....the TKE's are right next door.

Later,

ZZ-kai-