Tau Kappa Epsilon - Iowa State University

Following additions funded in 1948, Epsilon purchases another lot to expand the Chapter House. House remodeling efforts followed in 1960. Fraters won four of five major campus competitions, led in several campus activities, and earned another Top Teke Chapter award. Ed Schram '60 E-693 is recognized as Top Teke. Epsilon begins its 50th anniversary year with a $140,000 project to expand and remodel the Chapter House, doubling its size. The academic year ends with a grand celebration involving many Fraters and original Seminoles. The "Mighty 40" new Fraters join Epsilon Chapter thanks to the efforts of Recruitment Chairmen Bob Marcue '64 E-810 and Mitch Stock '65 E-819. February 1, 1970 Epsilon member 1,000 is initiated: Phil Kaser '70 E-1000 (grandson of Elmer Kaser 1915 E-1 and son of Don Kaser '34 E-210). The Chapter House welcomes 107 in-house Tekes after the "new addition" is completed. Ronald Reagan '82 E-1395 1/2 signs the Epsilon scroll during a special ceremony in the White House Oval Office, organized by his special assistant, Brent Johnson '79 E-1316. Brent also organized the White House gates opening at the 1986 Washington, D.C., TKE Conclave. Roger Underwood '76 E-1239 takes over as Epsilon Chapter advisor after Spike Kratochvil, Drake '40 retires on October 20. Michael Damge '86 E-1500 marks Epsilon Chapter's latest accomplishment as the first TKE Chapter to surpass 1,500 members. Spike Kratochvil enters Chapter Eternal at age 70. A fire destroys much of the Chapter House's interior; no individuals were harmed. Members move to Helser Hall for 12 months, though they remain diligent in their endeavors on campus. Alumni lead a $1.4 million fundraising campaign to transform the Chapter House into a modern, top-tier fraternity facility on campus. Fraternity recruitment practices change as Iowa State University no longer releases incoming freshman names early. Universities nationwide become less supportive of Greek life, leading to internal challenges for Epsilon Chapter's recruitment and membership retention. All Epsilon alumni are invited for a conference call to discuss standard operations, followed by the notion of potential Chapter closure and property sale. Several Fraters speak up against the idea, leading to Gary Kounkel '58 E-645 creating a task force that would go on to form 224 Ash LLC. The legal entity raises investment money to remodel the Chapter House and work with leadership to ensure a return to prominence on campus. Epsilon Chapter seeks to regain TKE's spot on campus with remodeled "suite-style" living quarters. Tom Rush '05 E-2000 marks the next TKE milestone accomplished by Epsilon Chapter. The "Golden Triangle" pledge class joins Epsilon Chapter, consisting of several members who became a much-needed set of Chapter leaders. Epsilon Chapter's centennial year is marked with another Top TKE award, the 22nd in Chapter history. This followed three Top TKE awards in the four years prior. Epsilon's centennial celebration welcomes 502 alumni, undergraduates, friends, and family to the Hansen Pavilion to mark the Chapter's prestigious history and remarkable return to form at Iowa State. The Millard R. "Spike" Kratochvil Scholarship endowment (and related named scholarships) at the ISU Foundation grow beyond $1 million in funding. In 2015, 65 individual awards were made to more than 30 members from the scholarships, with more than $45,000 awarded annually. Members vacate the Chapter House following the COVID-19 pandemic. Undergraduates remain vigilant in their TKE affairs, later reassembling with a new pledge class in fall 2020. 224 Ash LLC is quietly dissolved as the new TKE Alumni Corporation is formed. Epsilon Chapter's latest remodel project is completed. Epsilon Chapter receives its 11th Top TKE award in a row, with a total of 26. The Epsilon ISU Scholarship Endowment exceeds $3 million. Epsilon Chapter History 1958 1965 Fall 1967 February 1, 1970 1963-64 Fall 1974 August 3, 1982 October 1984 October 6, 1988 January 30, 1989 1990s Spring 2003 2004 April 16, 2005 Summer 2009 March 2020 December 2020 Fall 2021 Summer 2022 September 4, 2015 2015 2016 February 8, 1986 Initiation is a pivotal moment for every Teke, especially when the fraternity can celebrate such an esteemed membership milestone. Initiation

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