GreekRank is zeroing in on the sororities and fraternities across the country that embody what makes Greek life great. In our Profile series, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about local chapters and what makes them unique. This week, we highlight the Alpha chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Illinois Wesleyan University.
With a friendliness rating of 100% on GreekRank.com, hundreds of prominent alumni (including Ronald Reagan!), the brothers of TKE at Illinois Wesleyan have a lot to boast about.
The fraternity’s Alpha chapter was founded in 1899, and has been a “driving force in the fraternal world.” Love, Charity and Esteem are the values embedded in their foundation, and the fraternity is one that prides itself on developing men that are actively seeking to better themselves, and in return, better the fraternity as a whole. Did we mention Ronald Reagan was an Alpha TKE?
The fraternity was actually founded at Illinois Wesleyan, hence, they’re the Alpha chapter. Since then, more than 275,000 men have been initiated into TKE, with 237 active chapters throughout North America. With a foothold in diversity, the fraternity has never had an “exclusionary clause to prevent individuals from joining,” according to their website. Their only prereq’s for entry are personal worth and character, and you'll find a multi-ethnic makeup across the chapter.
TKE, or “Teke’s” as their known on campus and across chapters, also has one of the most impactful philanthropies: they fundraise for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is paving the way in groundbreaking pediatric medical advancements. According to the founder of St. Jude’s, as written on TKE’s website, “with people like my Fraters in TKE, we have been able to accomplish what we initially thought was a hopeless task.” Would you believe that TKE has been present for every milestone in the hospital’s advancement, donating for decades along the way?
On campus, the Teke’s are known for throwing some of the best parties. Friendly and open-minded, you’d be hard-pressed to find a TKE social you weren’t welcomed to. They're heavily involved on campus, and you've probably heard about their Province Forums. TKE's hold over 30 of the Forums throughout the school year, open to the student public. Over 2,500 participants attend the forums, considered to be one of the best resources for learning tips and tricks to start the school year off right -- and keep that momentum.
To learn more about the Alpha Chapter of TKE, visit their website.
