Tau Kappa Epsilon
We are the Sigma Epsilon Chapter of TKE located at SUNY Oneonta.
Founded on January 10, 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of the largest collegiate men’s social fraternities in North America with over 294,000 initiated members and 227 active chapters and colonies. TKE’s mission is to aid men in their mental, moral and social development for life. With nearly 12,000 collegiate members, Tau Kappa Epsilon contributes to the advancement of society through the personal growth of our members, and service to others. TKE builds Better Men for a Better World.
ABOUT OUR BROTHERHOOD
" Advancing character and personal development means unlocking the potential for each man to be a great college graduate and productive citizen. A Teke is a man who is trustworthy and lives the values enunciated in our Declaration of Principles, helping each member integrate LOVE, CHARITY, and ESTEEM into his daily life."
The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make
Tau Kappa Epsilon was founded on January 10th, 1899, on the two most basic principles that have guided our Fraternity for the last 120 years:
- We are the only Fraternity to have never had an exclusionary clause—meaning that even in 1899, only your character is what mattered—not race, religion, culture or socio-economic status.
- Our brotherhood and our uniqueness stem from the idea that what makes TKE strong are the individuals that make up our colonies, chapters, and alumni associations across the country. We do not ask you to change; individualism is KEY. There is no “ideal TKE man” because that is YOU.
In today’s world, coming of age and college can be a confusing time for young men. Everyone is connected via social media, but we want more. We want to be able to learn about ourselves, each other, and life with diverse sets of people who can guide us along the way. Tau Kappa Epsilon is that opportunity whether you are joining an existing chapter or starting a new one. Leadership, networking, creating culture, and pursuing excellence are all key ideals in Tau Kappa Epsilon that have allowed us to lead the Fraternity world since our inception.
We need you to help us to continue that path forward, growing stronger together than we ever could imagine alone.
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.