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memories, memories
It was early May 1958 when I visited the TKE colony at Chico
State in CA; fielder George Clough Wood (now living in the
Portland area) had affiliated this group and we were one of the
early ones there...Anyway, I was in the office of the TKE affiliate
advisor. Noted he was an alumnus of Alpha Epsilon chapter, the
Monmouth, IL one. He'd just received a 25 year membership shingle and was quite proud of it. He told me in almost sacred
tones..."I have always remembered that as a new initiate in TKE
it was said...the highest thing we could do for the Fraternity...
and it was 'encourage a high grade local fraternity to become a
chapter of TKE." He said, "well, these young men approached me
to become their advisor, and I remembered this vividly." So, I
led them to TKE. I was extremely impressed and this chapter has been a good one. The frater, now I am sure he is now in the Chapter Eternal, was in the Monmouth, IL one...about 1932.
Well, fraters, there are very few top flight locals left in this country, and nowadays we go thru a "read the will, take the
class picture, go thru the IFC, schmooze the Greek Adviser and
then hope we are chosen." Then we MAY get the ok to colonize.
HOWEVER, if a group emerges and wants to go TKE, has alumni
support, it is almost a lead pipe cinch to get an invite.
SO, as I am in my twilight years, I toss this out: TKE has nigh on
200 dead chapters, and most of these we want back. How could
YOU be a part of this? This, fraters, is my "HOT" button.
My fondest dream is to get TKE below a hundred dead ones. And
many campuses would profit with TKE back. We got a lot of old orphaned alumni, and many men would make great Tekes....
And, if you want, good fraters, I will continue with some of my old
memories, know-how, and perhaps invoke in some of you a
challenge to fulfill a meaningful and satisfying project: REVIVE a dormant TKE chapter. There's one near you...just waiting!
And to other greeks reading this, you are welcome to embrace
some of these these ideas, too. You have orphaned alums, too.
IF you want more, how-to, etc., say so. I will not, though, fill up
this site with stuff that'd bore hell out of you. The ball's in your court now! Talk to me, prithee do. Erik Conard, Gamma Phi 133
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