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The History of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Our Beginning, Growth, and Development
On the cold night of January 10, 1899, students of Illinois Wesleyan University, in the small Midwestern town of Bloomington, had just returned from the Christmas holidays when Joseph L. Settles went to the room occupied by James C. McNutt and Clarence A. Mayer at 504 East Locust Street to discuss the organization of a new society on campus. Joined immediately by Owen I. Truitt and C. Roy Atkinson, these five students created the first set of regulations for the Knights of Classic Lore, a society whose avowed purpose was "to aid college men in mental, moral, and social development."
Because of his late arrival for this meeting, James J. Love was made the first new member. Love, along with Edwin A. Palmer and George H. Thorpe became the first initiates of this new organization. Although Settles was the leader in organizing the society, Atkinson was elected President and McNutt was chosen as Secretary.
There were two fraternities already in existence at Illinois Wesleyan in 1899, both with more than 50 chapters nationally. Phi Gamma Delta had been established in 1866, while Sigma Chi had begun there in 1883. In addition, two other national fraternities, Phi Delta Theta and Delta Tau Delta, had inactive chapters at Illinois Wesleyan. The Phi Delts existed from 1878-1897 and the Delts from 1877-1880.
Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
Founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois.
250,000 members as of August 6, 2009.
274 active chapters and colonies located throughout the United States and Canada.
Governed by its Grand Chapter, which meets in biennial Conclaves to elect a Grand Council and revise or amend The Black Book (the International Constitution and Bylaws). The Grand Chapter is primarily made up of undergraduates.
The Grand Council governs the Fraternity between Conclaves.
30 full-time employees on the professional Fraternity Staff. Thousands volunteer as unpaid staff.
Tau Kappa Epsilon publishes a quarterly magazine titled The Teke.
Confrences and Conventions
Tau Kappa Epsilon holds its Conclave every two years; each collegiate chapter and colony is required to have at least one representative in attendance.
In the spring, TKE conducts Regional Leadership Conferences. Four are planned for next year.
The TKE Leadership Academy is a week-long leadership training conference held in the summer.
The Fraternity conducts four Regional Servicing Team Planning Conferences in late summer.
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