Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)
Founding
Tau Kappa Epsilon (ΤΚΕ, commonly known as Teke) is a social college fraternity founded on January 10, 1899, at Illinois Wesleyan University by Charles Roy Atkinson, Clarence Arthur Mayer, James Carson McNutt, Joseph Lorenzo Settles, and Owen Ison Truitt. They met at 504 East Locust Street in Bloomington, Illinois to draw up the first constitution for a new fraternity at Illinois Wesleyan University. The founders sought to be a different organization than the other fraternities at the time by establishing a fraternity where membership would be based on personal worth and character rather than wealth, rank, or honor. Mental development would be emphasized by the study of classic literature at weekly meetings, and thus the new fraternity became known as the Knights of Classic Lore.
Purpose
The purpose of Tau Kappa Epsilon is to give “aid to college men in mental, moral and social development.”
History
During formation, the Knights of Classic Lore were trying to get the Illinois Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta restored at Illinois Wesleyan University. Prominent Phi Delt alumnus Richard Henry Little became a persistent sponsor for the Knights to petition Phi Delta Theta for a charter. The Knights first petitioned Phi Delta Theta at its 1902 convention in New York, but efforts were unsuccessful. After renting rooms at several locations beginning in the spring of 1899, the Knights of Classic Lore finally acquired its first fraternity house, known as The Wilder Mansion, in September 1902. Simultaneously with the acquisition of the new house, the Knights also adopted the name Tau Kappa Epsilon. The change in name was expected to create a better impression in future petitions to Phi Delta Theta. The second petition was presented at the Indianapolis convention of 1904, but it was withdrawn in an effort to gain unanimous support of all chapters in Phi Delta Theta’s Zeta Province, which included Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. If this support was achieved, then the charter would be granted to the group without any action from the convention. The Knights of Classic Lore gained the support of all Phi Delta Theta groups in the province, except for Wisconsin Alpha, Illinois Beta, and Missouri Alpha. The Knights in turn unsuccessfully presented the petition at the 1906 convention in Washington, D.C. During the continuing struggle for acceptance from Phi Delta Theta, TKE continued to grow stronger in its own existence.
In late 1907, TKE was preparing to petition Phi Delta Theta once again at the 1908 convention when an event took place that would forever change the course of history for the fraternity. At the annual initiation banquet on October 19, 1907, speeches were made that both advocated and questioned the continued petitioning of Phi Delta Theta. At the banquet, Wallace G. McCauley delivered a blistering speech known as “Opportunity Out of Defeat”. The powerful address called for an abandonment of the petitioning initiative and a new campaign to make TKE into a national fraternity itself. While there was some opposition at the time, the movement ultimately took hold, and by 1908, TKE was well on its way to becoming a national fraternity in its own right. The speech was published in the first issue of The Teke in January 1908, and by November of that year, work was beginning on a new constitution. At the chapter meeting held on Monday, February 15, 1909, the new constitution became official. The first Conclave of the Grand Chapter of the new national fraternity of Tau Kappa Epsilon convened on February 17, 1909.
In 1909, TKE approached the Chi Rho Sigma Fraternity at Millikin University. There were no national fraternities at Millikin at this time, and TKE had just established its intentions to become a national fraternity. Representatives from TKE presented their case, and after thorough consideration, Chi Rho Sigma voted to accept TKE’s offer. On April 17, 1909, Chi Rho Sigma was installed as the Beta Chapter of TKE. In November 1911, the Beta Rho Delta Fraternity was founded at the University of Illinois. ΒΡΔ petitioned Tau Kappa Epsilon in January 1912, and they were installed as the Gamma Chapter of TKE on February 3, 1912. Following the installation of the Gamma Chapter, The Teke magazine noted that the triangle was completed. The geographic location of TKE’s first three chapters form a perfect equilateral triangle. The equilateral triangle was at that time, and continues to be, the primary symbol of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
The national fraternity Sigma Mu Sigma merged with TKE in March 1935. The merger resulted in the new Alpha-Pi Chapter of TKE at George Washington University and additional members for the Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois and the Alpha-Zeta Chapter at Purdue University.
Prior to 1939, TKE chapters were installed after local fraternities petitioned TKE for approval. In 1939, a colonization process was established to promote expansion and to ensure that potential chapters met all necessary requirements prior to installation. The first two TKE colonies were the Eta Colony at the University of Kansas and the Chi Beta Colony at the University of Missouri.
Tau Kappa Epsilon expanded for the first time into the Deep South region of the United States in 1946. This expansion was made possible when Alpha Lambda Tau, a small predominantly Southern national fraternity, announced its dissolution. Five of Alpha Lambda Tau’s eight active chapters affiliated with TKE, resulting in new TKE chapters at the University of Maryland, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, and Tri-State College.
Symbols
he mythological ideal or patron of Tau Kappa Epsilon is Apollo, an important and complex Olympian deity in Greek and Roman mythology. Apollo is the Greek god of music and culture, of light and truth, the ideals toward which the organization strives for in their development of manhood.
The official membership badge, made of gold and adorned with three white pearls, is by far the most important item of TKE insignia in general use. This badge may be worn only by initiated members. Jeweled badges, crown set with pearls, diamonds, rubies or emeralds, according to choice, may be worn by alumni members. Frequently the standard membership badge is used as a token of engagement. Miniature badges are also available for mothers, sisters, wives, chapter sweethearts or for engagement purposes. The TKE ‘badge of gold,’ unique in its design and distinctiveness, has never been changed since its adoption.
The present design of the TKE flag, as adopted at the 1961 Conclave, features five voided triangles, in cherry red, on a gray bend surmounting a cherry field. Because it is patterned after the shield of the fraternity Coat-of-Arms, the flag is readily associated with Tau Kappa Epsilon. Individual chapters may also purchase and use pennants and wall banners of various designs. These usually employ the name or Greek letters of the fraternity and chapter, and may incorporate the basic TKE insignia. TKE insignia may be purchased only from the Offices of the Grand Chapter or a merchant licensed by the fraternity headquarters.
Sources
Equitable Aid Union of America (EAUofA) “b”
Organized at Columbus, Warren County, Pa., March 22, 1879, and incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania. Four of the founders were Freemasons. This secret, beneficiary fraternity permitted the formation of subordinate Unions, as its Lodges are termed, north of 36° 30′ north latitude in the United States and in the Dominion of Canada. It sought to bring men and women into its Unions to promote benevolence, charity, social and mental culture, to care for the sick and needy, to aid one another in obtaining employment, and to assist each other in business.
It also insured members in sums ranging from $325 to $3,000 by means of assessments of from twenty-five cents to $1, according to age and amount. The benefit certificates also provided for the payment of specified sums in case of accident resulting in physical disability. Eligibility to membership extended to candidates from 15 to 55 years of age. The total membership in twenty-four States and in Canada in 1896 was about 30,000, of which 25,000 were beneficiary and 5,000 social members.
The official emblem consisted of the initials of the title of the Order in a triangle, surrounded by a conventionalized sun-burst. The system of assessments in the Equitable Aid Union suggests the influence of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The government of the society is similar to that of other similar societies, subordinate Unions being under the immediate jurisdiction of Grand or State (or provincial) Unions, the officers and representatives of the latter making up the Supreme Union, or highest legislative authority.
In April, 1897, the Union suspended payments and went into the hands of a receiver. It had fought hard to continue its existence, and numbered about 30,000 members, principally in the country districts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Less than five years before it had $43,000,000 worth of policies in force, and not many years previously the amount was almost $75,000,000. Its decline began in 1891. In 1895 its income was $792,895 and its disbursements $801, 435, and its death rate had increased within four years from 12.2 to 17.4 per 1,000 annually.
Citation:
Stevens, Albert Clark, ed. The Cyclopaedia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information . . . of More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States. New York: Hamilton Printing and Publishing Company, 1899.
See Also:
http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/equitable_aid_union/
Ethnic
Introduction
Organizations found under this classification refer directly to European immigrant organizations dedicated to helping member preserve their culture while assimilating into American society. The two oldest well-known ethnic organizations are the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Irish) founded in 1836 and the Order of Sons of Hermann (German) in 1840. These organizations are distinguished from native-born American organizations, such as the Order of United American Mechanics, African-American Organizations such as the Knights and Ladies of Tabor, or even hereditary orders such as Daughters of the Confederacy. Whiles each of these later organizations are dedicated to preserving a specific heritage, culture, or commemorating historical events, Ethnic Fraternal orders exist to bridge two cultures of the old and new worlds. Ethnic Fraternal orders’ rituals also tended to be brief and based on a factual or legendary cultural history, such as King Arthur or Leif Erickson, while more-inclusive fraternal orders’ rituals are based on pan-ethnic stories, such as the Bible, medieval knights or ancient mythology.
While a few, if not many, organizations found under this classification are not strictly “ethnic” they all at least identify with a particular group of Europeans. The Danish Brotherhood could be better understood as a “Mutual Assessment” organizations for a portion of each members’ annual dues paid for a life insurance policy. The Order of B’rith Abraham, being classified under “Religious Organizations” could also be considered “Ethnic” and “Mutual Assessment” as it included Jews from both a range of European cultures and a range of observance– from conservative to secular. In contrast, the Irish Catholic Knights of America could easily be designated at “Ethnic,” but they are classified “Religious” as there are also Irish Protestant fraternal orders. While the Brotherhood of United Irishmen is “Ethnic” as it does not specific a religious denomination, and indeed could have been created to bring both Catholic and Protestant Irish immigrant together for mutual aid and support.
Examples
Friendly
Introduction
The term “Friendly” is used to gather the most common ritual-based fraternal organization under one heading. It is a catch-all term to distinguish those fraternal orders that have charitable activities in consequence to their principles, as opposed to those with contractual obligations. Freemasonry is the first and foremost of all friendly societies with its first American lodges in the 1730s. The Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias follow in size and strength. These three great fraternities all build orphanages, retirement homes, cared for the sick and widows, but never guaranteed such services as a right of membership. “Mutual Assessment” fraternal orders, such as the Tribe of Ben Hur or the Modern Woodmen of American also provided health and death benefits, but were in many cases, insurance corporations with local fraternal chapters. Friendly Societies are ritual-based organization who believed its ritual, principles, teaching and tenets would inspire its members to care for each other and would, thereby, naturally create charitable local, state and national funds and endeavors.
Friendly Societies are also distinguished from Ethnic Fraternal order, Religious and even Hereditary orders by the universality of their rituals and membership. Friendly Societies rituals are based on the Bible, legendary medieval knights and heroes, ancient mythology, and even modern works of fiction. Rather than than perpetuating one ethnic, political, or racial point of view, or commemorating a specific historical event. Local Friendly Societies’ “lodges” contain members of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, and many charter local “lodges” for specific groups, such as German-speaking, Jewish, or by profession or trade.
Examples
Greek Letter
Introduction
Also known as College fraternities and Sororities, “Greek-Letter” organizations are begin in the 1770s with the literary society of Phi Beta Kappa founded at the College of William Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Although not limited to higher educational student clubs employing Greek letters as the initials of their organizations the term is more specific than “fraternities.” Skull and Bones, P.E.O Sisterhood, and Scroll and Key are classified as “Greek Letter Fraternities” while they do not actually employee Greek letters. Most Greek Letter fraternities limit the opportunity to join to undergraduate students, but some, especially among African-American fraternities allow non-students and adults of all ages to join. Even more peculiar, once a man or woman joins a Greek letter fraternity, they are usually not asked to pay annual membership dues, to remain a member. Furthermore, unlike nearly every other type of American fraternal order, Greek Letter fraternities local chapters are established only in conjunction with an institution of of higher education, with each chapter’s viability being subject to the institutions’ policies.