Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter Records, 1923-1993

Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter Records

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Collection Overview

Title: Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter Records, 1923-1993

ID: OGLMC1416

Primary Creator: Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter (1938-1994)

Other Creators: Tau Sigma Rho (1923-1938)

Extent: 16.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 11/01/2000. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: University of North Dakota - Student Organizations - Fraternities

Languages: English

Abstract

Greek social fraternity active on the University of North Dakota campus from 1938 until 1994.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter Records, 1923-1993, consist of scrapbooks, photographs, membership information, artifacts, meeting minutes, and miscellaneous items.

Collection Historical Note

Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) grew out of the Knights of Classic Lore society founded in 1899, by Joseph L. Settles, James C. McNutt, Clarence A. Mayer, Owen I. Truitt and Roy C. Akinson. James C. Love was made the society’s first new member because he was late to the first organizational meeting. The purpose of the Knights of Classic Lore society was, “to aid college men in mental, moral and social development.” By 1909, the Knights of Classic Lore had changed its name to Tau Kappa Epsilon and had become a national organization. Today, Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of the largest social fraternities in the country with over 300 active chapters and colonies, over 9,000 undergraduate members, and 155,000 alumni. Their symbol is the equilateral triangle; the three equal sides represent the strive toward a full development of mind, body and heart. The triangle represents two themes: first a remembrance of the fraternity’s early days and the traditions that were established by the founders, and second, a reminder of the first three TKE chapters that provided the foundation for growth of the organization and whose geographical location formed an equilateral triangle.

Alpha Sigma Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon was active on the University of North Dakota campus from 1938 to 1994. Part of the Alpha Sigma Chapter was formed by Tau Sigma Rho, a local fraternity founded in May 1923. Tau Sigma Rho decided to go national in April 1938, and became the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon, the 41st chapter in the nation. The first chartered member was law professor Olaf Thormodsgard. In the fall of 1940, Tau Kappa Epsilon combined with Phi Alpha Epsilon, another local fraternity. Membership at this time was estimated to be 45. In 1960, Tau Kappa Epsilon purchased a home at 2520 University Avenue from Agnes Algers, a resident of Houston, Texas. Membership in 1960 was 80 undergraduate students.

Tau Kappa Epsilon charitable activities included hospital work and supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. These included a car wash to raise money for patients with muscular dystrophy, distributing canisters to various businesses to collect money for people with muscular dystrophy, distributing candy to children in hospitals on Halloween, distributing gifts to children in hospitals, and volunteer cleaning in local hospitals.

1994 witnessed the chapter’s demise. On April 16, a party at the Tau Kappa Epsilon house spilled out into the streets and the UND police were called to the scene. As a result of this incident, rumors started that the TKE fraternity would lose its charter and be kicked off campus. By May 1994, low membership consisting of only 13 active members, caused financial difficulties for the chapter. At the same time it was reported that a member from the national office would be in Grand Forks in the fall to help with recruitment of new members. However, by December 1994, the Tau Kappa Epsilon house had been vacated and the ownership of the house transferred to the University of North Dakota Alumni Association.

Subject/Index Terms

University of North Dakota - Student Organizations - Fraternities

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals: Additional materials were donated by David Beach in Spring 2001 (2002-2551).

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: David Beach, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 2000-2464

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Chapter Records. OGLMC 1416, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in May 2015.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Separated Materials :],
[Photographs :],
[All]

Box 1

Folder 1: Bylaws (1978)
Folder 2: Bound Minute Records (Oct. 1942-May 1949)
Folder 3: Bound Minute Records (Sept. 1949-Nov. 1953)
Folder 4: Bound Minute Records (Nov. 1953-May 1957)
Folder 5: Bound Minute Records (Sept. 1957-Nov. 1962)
Folder 6: Bound Minute Records (Jan. 1975-Jan. 1979)
Folder 7: Bound Minute Records (Jan. 1975-Dec. 1979)
Folder 8: Bound Minute Records (Jan. 1980-May 1981 and Jan. 1988-Nov.1988)
Folder 9: Bound Minute Records (Aug. 1981-Nov. 1983)
Folder 10: Bound Minute Records (Aug. 1984-Dec. 1985)
Folder 11: Bound Minute Records (Sept. 1988-March 1990)
Folder 12: Correspondence (1957)
Folder 13: Newsletters (1966-1971)
Folder 14: Third Deck Initiation Cards
Folder 15: Membership: 1940-1944
Folder 16: Membership: 1945-1949
Folder 17: Membership: 1950-1954
Folder 18: Membership: 1955-1959
Folder 19: Membership: 1960-1964
Folder 20: Membership: 1965-1967
Folder 21: Membership: Undated
Folder 22: Certificate, 1977
Folder 23: Dues, 1987-1991
Folder 24: Guest List, 1990-1993
Folder 25: Plaque 1970
Folder 26: Songbook
Folder 27: Songbook
Folder 28: Scrapbook, 1987-1988

Box 2

Item 1: TKE membership records, scroll numbers 1-599 (1938-1968)
Item 2: TKE membership records, scroll numbers 600-872 (1969-1987)
Item 3: Scroll with numbers 1-940 (1938-1993)

Box 3

Item 1: Door Plaque
Item 2: Dinner Bell
Item 3: Flickertail Follies Trophy, 1960

Separated Materials :

Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.

Scrapbook 1: 1923-1937: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 2: 1939-1940: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 3: 1946-1947: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 4: 1949-1950: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 5: 1953-1954: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 6: 1955-1956: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 7: 1956-1957: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 8: 1957-1958: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 9: 1958-1959: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 10: 1959-1960: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 11: 1960-1961: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 12: 1962-1963: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 13: 1976-1977: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 14: 1978: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Scrapbook 15: 1990: Separated and placed on the shelves adjacent to the collection.
Item 1: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1974: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 2: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1976: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 3: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1977: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 4: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1978-1979: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 5: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1981-1982: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 6: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1982-1983: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 7: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1983-1984: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 8: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1984-1985: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 9: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1985-1986: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 10: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1986-1987: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 11: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1988-1989: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 12: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1989-1990: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 13: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1990-1991: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 14: Oversize Chapter Composite Photograph: 1992-1993: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.
Item 15: "Building for Tomorrow Fund" Plaque
Item 16: Framed photograph of Olaf Thormodsgard, first chapter member of Alpha Sigma: Separated and placed atop the Oversize File Cabinets.

Photographs :

Separated and placed in the Photograph File Cabinets.

Photograph 1: Founders of Tau Kappa Epsilon, 1899
Photograph 2: Olaf Thormodsgard, first chapter member of Alpha Sigma
Photograph 3: Chapter Composite Photograph: 1988-1989
Photograph 4: Chapter Composite Photograph: 1990-1991
Photograph 5: Chapter Composite Photograph: 1991-1992
Photograph 6: Chapter Composite Photograph: 1992-1993

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Separated Materials :],
[Photographs :],
[All]

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids