HISTORY
Tau Kappa Epsilon is a fraternity that was started on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in 1899. Tau Kappa Epsilon now has chapters that spread across the United States and Canada. Tau Kappa Epsilon, or TKE, has the largest number of active groups of any fraternity currently operating. Tau Kappa Epsilon was started by Joseph L. Settles, James C. McNutt, Clarence A. Mayer, Owen I. Truitt and C. Roy Atkinson as a society for young men to aid them in mental, moral and social development. Originally titled the Knights of Classic Lore, TKE sought to be different from the other fraternities that were already established on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan. The founders of TKE wanted to have importance placed on the members’ individual characteristics rather than their families' personal wealth.
As the Knights of Classic Lore, the organization was approached by some alumni of the Illinois Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta. The alumni of Phi Delta saw this new organization as a chance to restore their charter, which had been surrendered in 1897. The Tau Kappa Epsilon name was adopted in order to make the organization more appealing to Phi Delta Theta. On October 19, 1907, it was decided that the TKE fraternity would be recognized as a national fraternity. The first conclave was held in February of 1909 where all of the national officers were appointed. TKE is one of the few fraternities started before 1920 that never had a discrimination clause preventing membership due to race or color.
PHILANTHROPY
The official philanthropy of Tau Kappa Epsilon is the Alzheimer’s Association, adopted in 2001. TKE partnered with the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute in this effort.
MOTTO
“Not for wealth, rank, or honor, but for personal worth and character.”
TRADITIONS
FUN FACTS
CELEBRITY ALUMNI
Common Misspellings
TKE, Tau Kappa Epslon, Tow Kappa Epsilon, Tau Cappa Epsilon, Tau Kappa, Tekes