TKE fraternity returns after 14 year absence
Tau Kappa Epsilon has returned to Central Michigan University in time for recruitment week, 14 years after losing their national charter because of financial issues.
To successfully charter they will need to recruit 50 men. TKE’s first event at MAINStage filled 20 of those roles, including the leadership roles needed to move forward.
Kyle Erdman, fraternal services specialist, said TKE is focused on the future and finding the best men on campus. Erdman is responsible for the growth and development of chapters in each of Tau Kappa Epsilon’s four regions.
“Since day one we’ve seen tremendous support from other sororities and fraternities,” Erdman said. “They are excited to see what we can do on campus. CMU has one of the best greek communities I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
In 1999, TKE struggled with low participation and was unable to secure a house for members. In the fall of 2000, the fraternity shut down after withdrawing from the Inter-fraternity Council at CMU.
Erdman said he is confident the CMU charter will be more successful than in the past. He wants to bring in a committed first recruiting class that will leave their mark at CMU.
“It truly is a great fraternity and sorority life community at CMU,” Erdman said. “We hand select our campuses very carefully, we know this is a school that will support these young men in what they are trying to do.”
The road thus far has had its fair share of obstacles to overcome.
Five years ago, a group of CMU students contacted Nate Lehman, current regional director for TKE, and his predecessor expressing their interest to start a chapter.
“Something came up about the guys that wanted to do that, so we made a mutual decision and decided not to form a group,” Lehman said.
Four years later, senior Asa Smalley transferred from Alma College, where he participated in the Zeta Delta chapter as vice president. He had expressed interest in starting a chapter at CMU but was unsuccessful until his transfer.
Smalley, now president of the TKE chapter, wanted to continue with his fraternity experience. He then worked together with Lehman to set up a presentation for Scott Courter in the Student Activities Office and members of the IFC and Pan-Hellenic Council.
Once CMU scheduled the date for return in the fall 2014 semester, TKE Headquarters and their Re-Colonization Board worked to plan an organized expansion effort.
“I was nervous being the new frat on campus, but right from day one (other fraternities) said if we need anything to let them know,” Smalley said. “Without individual fraternities there is not greek life as a whole. They understand that, and they want to see us be a large part of fraternity life at CMU.”
TKE does not have final numbers for their members, as recruitment week is ongoing.
“We’re looking for guys who are going to be leaders, we want to take them when they are freshmen and not very developed and point them in the right direction,” Smalley said.
