Locals that became TKE chapters

[nolatke]

I was wondering if anyone had chapter history stories from before chartering. I know my chapter, Theta Mu at University of New Orleans, started in Sept. 29 1958, 20 days after the founding of the university. The local fraternity was called Theta Phi because the founding fathers had every intention of becoming a TKE chapter, and they assumed that they would become Theta Phi chapter after a charter was granted. As it turned out, we became Theta Mu on May, 5, 1961. We take pride in being the first greek organization on campus as well as the first with national affiliation. Our history is a big part of that although much of it has been lost to time. One of our fraters has been trying to contact the Louisiana attny. general, one of our founding fathers, because many of the symbols and ritual of Theta Phi have been lost. Does anyone have any pre-charter stories they can share. For example, im interested in how Scorpion chapter got that designation.

[JonInKC]

I'm sure Erik could give you more info than you'd ever want or need...lol

I know my own chapter (Beta-Omega at Missouri State) was once called Tri-C, which stood for Camden Country Club.

[Tom Earp]

The Sigma chapter of TKE at Cornell went inactive back in the 30s. There was a local at
Cornell (actor Dan Duryea was in the chapter). They approached TKE about becoming a
chapter, but they wanted to keep the name "Scorpion." Since Scorpion started with an S
as Sigma did, TKE agreed and ever since it has been known as Scorpion chapter instead
of Sigma. At the Conclave in '59 a skirmish developed whether they were allowed to keep
the designation Scorpion or would have to now revert to Sigma. Fair is fair said the fraters,
and Scorpion is OFFICIALLY, now and forever, the chapter.


Hopefully He will get back on soon!!!

[TKE-DE943]

Greetings Fraters! I had the fortunate opportunity of editing our history when we created our new webpage last year. Here I present to you three excerpts from it telling the story of the Delta Epsilon chapter's founding at Cleveland State University (actually, at the time of the founding in 1932 it was Fenn College, which renamed itself Cleveland State University when it became an Ohio state college in 1964). The full history can be read at our (now unused) website: http://tke-csu.org/wp/history/

YITB,
Chris Dolton, DE943, LLT

1932
October 6th - Ten students from the business school of Fenn College meet in the Johnson Building of the downtown YMCA and start a social fraternity for members of the Business School. The Greek name they choose, Beta Beta Alpha, comes from their degree designation Bachelor of Business Administration. They believe that there is more than a degree to be gained from college. From this beginning, growth takes place through innovation. First, survival during a depression; next, survival during World War II; then the drive for recognition, primarily striving to establish a permanent force on the Fenn campus through incorporation as Beta Beta Alpha, Inc.

1952 - Twenty Years of BBA
After determining that they were destined to be more than a local fraternity, the men of BBA start looking at various national fraternities to become members of. With many of these groups already established at other Greater Cleveland colleges, none are willing to go onto the Fenn College campus - except for Tau Kappa Epsilon. The members later learn that their advisor, Paul Anders, is a Teke from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

1953 - The Big Decision
The men of BBA have to make a choice on whether to join TKE or continue as BBA. The majority chose to become part of TKE. They are the first Fenn College fraternity to go international. On May 10th, these men became founding members of the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. For many years, the Tekes try to maintain their relation to BBA and recognize 1932 as their founding date. Throughout the 20th Century, many BBA members choose to not become members of TKE and maintain their own alumni association and hold regular annual events.

[ncstatetke]

we were the Zeta chapter of Alpha Lambda Tau before TKE decided to expand down South

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

Rho Pi was formally Alpha Delta Epsilon. A lot of the ADE history has stuck around due to Rho Pi is still relatively young and also ADE alumni come down to hang out.

[Leche159TKE]

I am a member of a colony at Saint Leo University in Tampa, Florida. We should be chartering this semester! Anyway, we had a chapter here since the 60's. In the early 90's (94 to be exact) the chapter was shut down due to financial and hazing reasons. With every intention of once again becoming TKE, the chapter decided to become a local called Kappa Lambda (KL = Knights of Lore). They kept many of the same traditions, and have passed those down to us.