Founded in 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon’s purpose, which has remained for more than 100 years, is "to aid college men in their mental, moral, and social development." TKE has more chapters in the nation and the world than any other fraternity in existence. There are currently 273 active TKE chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada.
The Delta Chapter TKE House at Knox is the oldest and longest-serving TKE house in the world. Established in 1912, the Delta Chapter is dedicated to the pursuit of "Love, Charity, and Esteem."
Why Join a Fraternity at Knox?
Joining a fraternity at Knox College will help add to your college experience.It encourages individual development within a smaller group of friends while attending Knox. Fraternities support students that espouse a common set of values, including brotherhood, academic excellence, character/leadership development, a sense of community, philanthropy & service.
When it is all said and done, the best part of joining a fraternity is the opportunity to create friendships that last a lifetime. Though you make friends at Knox through other avenues, the closeness you can experience in Greek life sometimes fosters closer connections than you might make otherwise.
A fraternity exists on the premise that a man is by nature a social being and needs the companionship of his fellow man. A fraternity provides a structured environment in which college students are more able to learn responsibility, achieve high academic standards, and to become productive men in society.
Benefits of Joining TKE at Knox
TKE offers many benefits in terms of lifelong friendships. The sense of brotherhood, networking opportunities, leadership development, community service, and lifelong learning are just a few of the benefits that members can enjoy.
Social Connection: TKE provides a sense of belonging and community.
Networking Opportunities: Knox TKE has an extensive alumni network which can be beneficial for career connections, mentorship, and job opportunities after college.
Will TKE fraternity look good on your resume?
The answer is yes! Research indicates Fraternity alumni are more intellectually and emotionally connected in their work and are loyal and productive in their positions.
TKE National Organization
Founded and built on the honest convictions of Love, Charity and Esteem, Tau Kappa Epsilon is a men’s social fraternity 125 years in the making. We encourage you to take the opportunity to learn more about our brotherhood, available scholarships, educational programing and leadership development to see why we are the Fraternity for 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 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.
TKE House at Knox
When you join TKE at Knox and live in the TKE house at 160 W. South Steet:
-you will be living in a house, not a dorm. -you will be living in the most historic TKE fraternity in the world -you will choose your room and your roommate(s) -you will have a full kitchen -you will have an outdoor deck -you will have a place to store your belonging over the summer and breaks -you will learn how to manage a house, a budget and lead an organization -you will have the opportunity to travel to conferences all over the US -you will become a big part of the philanthropic effort to support St. Jude -you will become part of the Knox TKE alumni organization and have use of the house for homecoming and alumni events -you will make lifelong friends
Notable Tau Kappa Epsilons
Elvis Presley
Ronald Reagan
Charles Whittaker, former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
The Everly Brothers, rock and roll duo
Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks
Prominent Knox TKE Alumni
Dr. Frank J. Jirka, US American Medical President, WWll Battle of Iwo Jima
Charles E. Tokar, Village President
Charles Joern ’73, Prominent Attorney “Save the TKE House”
Steve Jones ’72, TKE National
Ross Gottstein ‘73, TV actor
Ed Armstrong ‘42, Attorney, Save the TKE House, WWll Battle of Iwo Jima
Dave Fridovich ’74, US Lt. General Special Operations
Cleaveland F Bridgman ‘68, Silver Star Vietnam
John Gehlman ‘29, Knox TKE Charter member, TKE Historian
Rick Nishimura ‘73, Cardiologist, Mayo Clinic Doctor
Ray Charles ’41, Knox College Trustee
Russell “Bucky” Swise ‘42, Knox College Coaching legend
Don Corrigan ‘73, Author
Dr. William Baker ’17, President, American Urological Association
Robert W. Murphy ’31, VP and General Counsel Borg Warner
Howard Miller ‘34, Radio
Walter B. Finney ’36, “Jack Finney” Collier/Good Housekeeping magazine
Joseph Sisco ’41, US Under Secretary of State
Dr. Frank Kerous ’61, Dentist Knox Trustee
Joe Springer ’71, Renowned Environmentalist and Wildlife
H. Dale Gunther ’35, Galesburg Business Knox Life Trustee
T.J. Smith ‘75, High School Principal
Joseph Cecchi ’68, Dean of Engineering University of New Mexico
Rory Wagner ‘72, Captain Knox Football
Art Lyman ’74, Chairman, “Save the TKE House,” 1988
Herbert Lindsrum ‘29, Major Knox TKE Donor, “Save the TKE House,” 1988
Don Tenant, Creator “Tony the Tiger”
Robert Pennington, US Army WWll, Artist
Art Holst ‘43, NFL Superbowl Referee, Author
Jose A. Ponce ‘94, Artist, Featured musician
Michael Stablein, President, Chicago Dental Society
Ernest P. Braucher, Brigadier General, US Army
Mike Calvin Dunston ‘71, Judge, Virgin Islands
James DunLevey, Nebraska Supreme Court Administrator
James Kilts ‘70, Chairman CEO Gillette, Knox College Trustee
Steve Luetger ‘75, Knox College Trustee
John Marsden ‘75, Chicago Fire Paramedic
Don Buchanan ‘73, 1st Knox Black American Fraternity President
