TKE Facts and Trivia

[Erik P Conard]

Yes, likely only two TKE chapters went inactive during the great
depression. TKE had only about 30 chapters then. The college
population was quite different , and the affluent went without
many scholarships, no student aid. I would guess that over 50% of the kids in college could not have even passed the entry
exams then. Fraternities as we know them today did not exist
then in teachers' colleges, streetcar colleges, trade schools, and the complexion was quite different.
I am not trying to pass judgement nor take either side, it was just a different era. My central Kansas high school class of '54
sent half the kids to college, half flunked out or quit by the end of the first year. There was such a stigma to having failed that you hardly ever would dare return to your old home town.
The junior college and night schools were so looked down upon, the nursing schools (generally held at hospitals), the trade schools, all looked upon as a second-rate school. The big university or the ivied walled private schools were indeed an
elite place. Now you can get a Master's degree in air conditioning or feed technology--hardly what we would call a scholastic program using the old measuring stick.
When I was on the road in the mid-50s, TKE had 5 inactive ones, of the over 110 active chapters. Now look at us. We have
gone into places really not suited for fraternities and have filled
our ranks with less than "collegiate" material. In the race to be
the biggest and best in all things, we are reaping what we sow.
Again, that is how it is...The Greek movement has its dumbing down just like many other old hallowed institutions. We have the fast food mentality here, too. I do not know how to stop it or
if it will ever return--likely not. As the torch is passed, we enter into a new era and must live with it, warts and all. And in fifty years we will look upon today as "the good ole days."