Tau Kappa Epsilon - Iowa State University

3 FRATERS IN TRAINING Welcome to Our Newest Pledge Class Retreats Kick Off Fall Semester for Officers, Members T hough the academic year has only just begun, the men of Epsilon Chapter are already hard at work toward another success- ful semester. Our growing new member class comprises 23 men of varying backgrounds who will breathe fresh life into the Chapter, and many returning members have brought back professional experience from internships across the country. As we look forward to the busy months ahead, I would like to share with you some of Epsilon's recent activity. Cabinet Retreat At the beginning of each semester, Epsilon's 10-man executive board sits down for an afternoon to discuss Chapter goals and ini- tiatives. We held this semester's retreat on August 20th and were fortunate enough to be joined by Chris Niles, alumni engagement director for TKE Headquarters. During the retreat, we set expectations for one another as members of cabinet and outlined big-pic- ture goals for the semester. Frater Niles led us through a strategic planning activity that challenged the way we think about prioriti- zation of our efforts in academics, service, philanthropy, campus involvement, and re- cruitment. After three hours of deliberation, we left the retreat with a clear hierarchy of needs for the Chapter. Chapter Retreat Later the same day, the whole Chapter gath- ered for our biannual Chapter retreat. Frater Niles also co-facilitated the event. Through- out the night we engaged in small group dis- cussions about academics, philanthropy, ser- vice, alumni engagement, and recruitment, among other things. Frater Niles led a val- ues-based activity that prompted discussion about leadership, trust, and brotherhood. The men left this activity with a better under- standing of their values and how they can use them to better the Chapter. With the semester now well underway, we are more ready than ever to tackle each chal- lenge the semester brings. I would like to thank our wonderful alumni for all the time and energy you have dedicated to building our great Chapter. We strive each day to make the Chapter better than it was the day before and to surpass the already high stan- dards of an Epsilon Teke. Fraternally, Tom Scallon E-2220 '14 (Norwalk, Iowa) Prytanis (515) 360 4964 / tscallon@iastate.edu Welcome, new Fraters! In all, 24 men were recruited to Teke during this summer's efforts. Justin Babcock Lakeville, Minn. Max Bruner West Des Moines, Iowa Michael Condoleon Algona, Iowa Rhett Dempsey Norwalk, Iowa Joe Gibbons* Gilbert, Iowa Andrew Grace Waukee, Iowa Chris Harder Gilbert, Iowa Matthew Hovda Cedar Rapids, Iowa Soren Jensen Plymouth, Minn. Sam Keefe Minnetonka, Minn. Eddie Mahoney Excelsior, Minn. Wil Marek* Washington, Iowa Joe Massey Naperville, Ill. Mason Ohnemus* Milo, Iowa Andrew Pavlat Pella, Iowa Alex Pickhinke Early, Iowa Grant Samson* Gilbert, Iowa Ryne Sandry* Davenport, Iowa Grant Schnoes Waukee, Iowa Ben Shoemaker Omaha, Neb. Nate Walters* Des Moines, Iowa Luke Ward Walker, Iowa Spencer Weiland Naperville, Ill. *Legacy Both an Officer and a Gentleman Damon Schmidt '12 Finds Comparisons between TKE and Military Life T he start of Damon Schmidt's career was defined by a singular ques- tion: What can I do for my country? Upon graduation in 2015, the answer to the self-reflective question was simple. "I decided to join the Marine Corps because I was not content living in the United States until I did my part in defending the country," Damon said. "A lot of civilians take their freedom for granted, but I refuse to hide the fact that service mem- bers are dying defending our country. I sleep a lot better at night knowing that I've decided to earn my freedom rather than claim it as an entitlement." Now a company executive officer, Damon is applying a variety of Tau Kappa Epsilon lessons to his military role. "Being in the fraternity didn't directly persuade me to join the military, but it definitely taught me some life lessons that helped prepare me for the rigors of the military," Damon said. Those life lessons include professional development and looking and acting like a gentleman. (Continued on page 6)

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