For college students who are interested in becoming members of sororities and fraternities, there are many options to choose from. Even though some of them are new, one could find older and well-established ones like Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE).

Tau Kappa Epsilon is actually a fraternity for college students which was established in January of 1899 at Wesleyan University in Illinois. There are chapters throughout America, Canada and also fraternity affiliations in German. There are 279 active colonies and chapters for TKE in America and Canada, as of such they are regarded as the largest social fraternity when it comes to the amount of active associations.

This fraternity can be identified by the colors of red in shades of cherry, crimson lake and also gray in shade of pure silver. Out of all the organizations that were created nationwide before the year 1920, Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity is among the handful that did not have discrimination terms in the requirements for membership to avoid applications from men of a certain color, race or creed.

Get a better understanding about their history

When the five members met in Illinois in 1899, they were preparing documents for their first constitution in order to create a different fraternity. The goal of this newly formed organization was to aid college men’s social, moral and mental development. These founders wanted to become a different association from the others at that time, so they created a fraternity in which membership will be determined by personal character and worth as opposed to wealth, honor or rank. The plan was to have weekly meetings in order to study classic literature with the aim of promoting mental development and therefore the brand new fraternity was given the name “Knights of Classic Lore.”

This association rented rooms at a number of locations before settling at their very first house in 1902, which was called “Wilder Mansion.” During the time when they acquired this new house, the name Tau Kappa Epsilon was also adopted. Despite the fact that there had been several oppositions during this time, this movement eventually took hold and in 1908 this fraternity was now a national association on its own.

Traditions and Symbols

The tradition of TKE is Apollo, which is by far the most powerful of the Olympian divinities. Typically, Apollo represents Greek God of culture, music and light, all of these are ideals which all TKE persistently strive to achieve. The choice of Apollo is best fitting for this fraternity, since it epitomizes the ultimate advancement of manhood. One thing I can think of what I learn at college was avoiding capital gains tax..

Coat of arms: This is a shield of the Norman form, which depicts a bend along with 5 equilateral triangles, a scroll displaying 5 Greek letters and a skull or perhaps death’s head, making three-quarters shape. This particular assemblage is designed with the official colors of gray and cherry red. It can be used just by official members on jewelry, stationery as well as other personalized effects. This symbol was modified somewhat since the earlier years and is also used by the fraternity itself on official stationery, certificates for membership and various documents.

Badge: All initiated members are expected to wear the official badge, which is designed with gold and embellished in three white-colored pearls and is essentially the most significant item of their emblem. The alumni members can opt for their choice of jeweled badges, which include diamonds, a set of crown pearls, emeralds or rubies. On a regular basis the badge for a typical membership can be used as an expression of engagement. In addition, there are small badges made available for wives, sweethearts, mothers, sisters as well as for engagement functions. The gold badge is exclusive in design and uniqueness and has not been altered since inception.

Red carnation: This is a flower and is a symbol for this fraternity, which is present in the colors of their flag, coat of arms and various other symbols. This flower is worn at the time of initiations and also for banquets, plus the ball which is celebrated by most chapters is given the same name.

Flag: Modern day design for the flag was adopted from the 1961 gathering and this boasts 5 voided triangles with cherry-red on the gray bend on top of a field of red. The pattern is fashioned from the shield which is located on the coat of arms, so this flag is instantly connected with TKE. The individual chapters can also buy and then make use of pennants as well as wall banners in numerous designs. It is common for them to use their chosen name or perhaps the Greek letters assigned to a particular chapter and fraternity, as well as integrate some form of TKE symbol.

In addition to the symbols and traditions mentioned before, there are others such as the Creed, secret handshake and more. Explore the resources online to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Throughout the years parents generally ask similar questions with regards to Tau Kappa Epsilon. The following information will highlight some of the questions along with answers to help put their minds at ease.

Why should college students join TKE?

According to research this fraternity will provide the tools and resources for education programs and development, which is accessible by all members. This will help them to achieve their personal goals throughout every area of college life and also prepare them to achieve success after graduation.

Is excessive drinking promoted in this fraternity?

Abusive drinking is dangerous and is not in agreement with Tau Kappa Epsilon ideals. All individual chapter and member is required to maintain federal, county, city and state laws, in addition to college policies concerning the intake of alcoholic beverages.

How will fraternity membership influence student’s grades?

College students usually find it difficult to manage their time when making the transition from a highly-structured high school surrounding to a college campus with lots of freedom. Tau Kappa Epsilon can assist with this changeover by providing scholarship programs that will include compulsory study hours, study partners and workshops for time management. In addition, students have the opportunity to get assistance from the circle of brothers and these members understand how to make use of campus resources such as the computer labs, library, school advisors and study centers.

Keep in mind that even though TKE is providing resources to assist with academic achievements, ultimately all students are still accountable for making the best use of these available resources.

How about hazing or pledging?

This fraternity will never condone or put up with any kind of hazing, as they are devoted to instilling an education period during membership, which impress a sense of commitment and responsibility in all new members. During this time period students will get help to overcome a number of their concerns regarding college achievements.

Who is in control of TKE?

The members who are elected as officers will control the daily operations of a local chapter. All of these officers will be aided by members who are appointed on committees as well as by advisors who are a part of the alumni.

How much will cost to join a fraternity?

All chapters are self-supported with the aid of fees paid by all the members. During the first year of a membership, some of the onetime expenditures will be evaluated. In the event that housing is provided, the accommodations and meals tend to be competitive with additional housing opportunities.

Are members required to live in a fraternity house?

This will be determined by individual chapters, but most times students opt to stay in the fraternity house in order to make use of the available opportunities. A good recommendation for parents is to ensure that the house pass all safety inspections, as well as consult with other members who are living at the house to get additional details regarding this matter.

Will fraternity take up too much a student’s time?

Taking part in any valuable activity generally calls for an investment of a person’s time. Numerous studies have proven that college students who are involved are more inclined to graduate and will report a greater satisfaction based on their experiences. As a result of joining Tau Kappa Epsilon, students will discover ways to balance their academic work, social commitments and involvement in campus activities.

What will students get from a TKE membership?

Most people are amazed of the experiences that students can walk away with when they are members of this fraternity. In addition to expanding their collegiate encounters, most alumni reports that they learn valuable skills which were not taught inside the classroom.

Ultimately TKE provides leadership opportunities, lifelong associates, networking possibilities, education excellence and support and athletic and social activities.

What is the Sigma Chi Shield?

The Sigma Chi fraternity is one of the largest and oldest throughout the world having over two hundred active chapters. This group was formed in 1855 when some members left the Delta Kappa Epsilon society. This society is also connected with the Miami Triad, which include Phi Delta Theta and Beta Theta Pi.

The Sigma Chi Shield or Norman Shield can be described as the reference handbook for the Fraternity. This is helpful for both new members during pledging and those with active membership, as it is designed to provide a wealth of knowledge.

The official colors of this fraternity include an older shade of gold and blue. There is also a badge with white cross and symbols on both arms, which includes an upper arm with crossed keys; the head of an eagle on the right arm; the lower arm boasts a set of clasped hands and seven gold stars and a left arm with scrolls. The mid-section of the cross has a black backdrop with gold symbols representing the Greek letters for Sigma and Chi.

All members of this fraternity is required to uphold the principles for learning, justice and friendship, as their objective is to build value based leaders who are dedicated to the enhancement of character, community and campus.

Similar to most fraternities, all potential members have to undergo a recruitment period before the pledging can start. All chapters would hosts functions throughout a recognized period for recruitment and this generally takes one week. In addition to this, each of the chapter would have a bid meeting in order to discuss potential members. In order to obtain a bid from this fraternity students have to satisfy the requirements based on the Jordan Standard, plus they also have the option to decline or accept once this bid is received. Whenever a bid is accepted, the students will have to enter into a pledging process which currently takes place all through the year.

A pledge ship is actually a probationary phase designed for prospective members before the full initiation. However, the period for the pledge will be different in length for each chapter even though the recommended time is eight weeks. During this time students will take part in a number of activities which can include intellectual exercises where they can learn the history of the fraternity; the operational ins and outs; leadership skills and will be provided with guidance that will help them to become an important part of the society before their initiation.

Many facets of the pledge process will be different for every chapter and they will adhere to the guidelines of the Magister, even though a large amount of continuity exists between pledge classes and chapters and is always maintained. All of the prospective members for Sigma Chi will be given a Norman Shield and pledge pin. The pin is usually a blue Norman Shield displaying the fraternity White Cross which is outlined with old gold.

Is there really a Tau Kappa Epsilon secret handshake?

A fraternity always seem appealing to most incoming college students as they believe that this is an easy way to make new friends. The social fraternities within the Greek system such as TKE at most colleges offer opportunities for members to make friends; obtain potential business connections for future years and gain leadership experiences. However, in order to benefit from these opportunities one has to go through the pledging process, to prove that they are worthy of gaining membership in an organization. There are certain elements of a fraternity that will always be private and is only known by initiated members, for instance the Tau kappa epsilon secret handshake.

What is involved in the pledging process?

During this period potential members have to undergo a number of experiences to achieve membership in most fraternities. The pledging aspect is abolished or relabeled by several fraternities; however it is still a commonplace in most large associations. Generally, the process involves certain library hours, minimum GPA, gym hours, activities for bonding and reserved meals with other pledges. All in all, this is actually challenging process but all prospective members need to experience what it is like to bond with others and also become knowledgeable about the standards and history of the organization.

There was an incidence during 1844, as a result of undergraduate division and politics in a sophomore class, where several males of high character and educational accomplishment didn’t obtain bids from Psi Upsilon and Alpha Delta Phi societies. This was considered unfair, so much so that some of the men who did obtain bids immediately declined them. As a result of this injustice, the fifteen men decided to form a society of their own that would be much more fraternal in dynamics and less controlled to the restricted and unfair membership requirements of their opponents.

The new organization was established on the 22nd of June, 1844 at Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut. During this assembly, the Greek open mottos and secret were implemented. The motto signifies “Friends from the Heart Forever.” In addition, the secret handshake and pin were also implemented. The pin displays Greek letters of DΚΕ upon a white-colored scroll on a black diamond along with gold rope trimmings, plus a star on the corners. The colors for this society include azure, gold, and gules or crimson and the flag is actually a representation of these colors along with a left-facing lion in the centre.

Opportunities to establish a Sigma Pi apparel business venture

If you want to join an organization in college that would complement your career goals, you should consider a Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. This is a good option for students with business interest, as they are involved in professional marketing, sales and management. This organization can be found in more than a hundred campuses throughout America. These days you can find about fifty chapters actively promoting student’s careers, so it is possible for you to get started on your chosen field, for instance establishing a Sigma Pi apparel venture.

Despite the fact that this fraternity place emphasis on marketing, sales and management, the membership is actually open for all college majors. Therefore if you are interested in becoming a member of a Kappa Sigma chapter, your first step is to find out if there is an active one at your campus. In the event that there is not an existing one displaying on the schools list, you could actually start a chapter at your campus.

Benefits of having Sigma Pi membership

For starters all members will gain knowledge of important business skills. Since the fraternity is business driven, most functions are held as a formal affair, which means that members will learn the correct way to dress in a business environment. Based on the events that a particular chapter will showcase it is even possible for members to acquire interviewing abilities. Several chapters take part in marketing research or product sales activities, therefore members can also find a way to develop excellent sales and marketing skills.

Then, there is also the opportunity to gain management experiences. All chapters boast a team of leaders, which can include positions for chapter president, secretary, vice president and treasurer. Getting the chance to serve in any of these leadership capacities will not only look good a resume, but also help if a student is going straight into business after graduation.

Next, students have the opportunity to meet with recruiters. A number of companies which depend highly on marketing and sales personnel for their continued success will send associates to most group functions. All members attending such functions have the opportunity to communicate directly with company representatives outside of an interview setting and this will help them to network into a particular company to start their future career.

Another benefit is forming long-term friendships. In order to become a member students have to complete a pledge process, which includes compulsory community service and meeting attendance with other pledges. Therefore, after several months of spending considerable time with each other it is easy for most pledges build long-term friendships.

Finally, there are also benefits for students after a college graduation since this will not end the relationship that they will have with this fraternity. As an alumni once can get involved in conventions and conferences. There is also the opportunity to take advantage of group discounts when purchasing a home, car and even insurance for car rentals.

All in all, there are many options for college students even if they cannot access this chapter at their campus and don’t wish to start one. There are other professional business fraternities affiliated with Kappa Sigma providing accounting, information system, finance and various other majors that could become valuable in career development just the same.

How to market a fraternity with Kappa sigma apparel

When you want to attract new members to your fraternity, you cannot go wrong if you use active members to promote the principles with the help of clothing and other merchandise. Believe it or not, this could become the most effective marketing tool even if you are only using the apparel that you select for everyday wear. However, it is important that you wear your Kappa Sigma apparel in the correct fashion to market your group, because students fully understand that these clothing are worn with much pride.

By far the most established Greek clothing is actually a basic set of embroidered or written letters on a shirt. However, you cannot find a better way to market your fraternity than to have a lot of members wearing the same shirt all at once. Besides this will not only show the unity and solidarity of your group, but will also show the pride that individuals have for their chosen organization. Therefore, when potential members recognizes that these letters are worn with pride rather than because persons are required to, then this will definitely influence their decision to become a member.

There are other ways to use Greek apparel besides the letters, since shirts might not be suitable to wear during certain season. As a result you could promote your organization with jackets and sweatshirts. What’s even better, it is possible to wear shirts, jackets and sweatshirts just about everywhere you are going, so essentially you can continuously market your fraternity. You should not underestimate the effectiveness of wearing Greek letters when you are away from campus, as potential members can be found anywhere.

In addition, basic items such as sandals can be personalized to become an effective marketing strategy. Some people believe that these organization are only about academics, career and other focus driven aspects, so wearing sandals will be a great way to show that they can have some fun as well. Additionally, this type of footwear is functional just as your shirts, sweatshirts and jackets, so you can wear them just about anywhere. Jewelry can also be used as a marketing tool and will easily blend with a number of outfits when attending events. All fraternity will have pins as part of their symbol, but there are also other kinds of jewelry that can be worn by men and women alike.

Nowadays, most of the stores which specializes in these items will offer personalized short and long sleeve shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and sweatpants with engraved Greek letters. It is possible to make special request when shopping in order to get the right color and size that would best represent your fraternity. Moreover, you also have the option to select the background color for a shirt and also the color for the actual Greek letters. Generally, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using clothing to market your fraternity, plus you have the option of using other merchandise such as shot glasses, pencils, pens, paddles, stickers, drinking glasses, stuffed animals and any other items you desire.

Kappa sigma shirts

When attending college, there is nothing more important than to find a group that will allow you to meet new friends and share common interests. For this reason, most students will become members of various fraternity societies in order to get a sense of belonging and perhaps learn valuable lessons to take them through life. If you are yet to join a fraternity, you definitely need to consider this as they offer something for virtually everyone.

Most people will regard these societies as a social group, others will recognize them as a way to benefit from more academic opportunities and others just want to be a part of an organization that is involved with community issues. Well, the students who are lucky to become members actually get to benefit from all of the above and also get to share in the spirit of fraternity camaraderie. For the most part, the individuals who take part in these organizations always feel a sense of pride and at times this is portrayed by wearing Kappa Sigma shirts, sweatshirts and more.

When you are a proud member of one of these fraternities, regardless of your college or the benefits that you are enjoying personally, then you will not hesitate to tell others all about it. So, a good way to flaunt your connection with a fraternity is to wear Greek clothing. Most organizations will print shirts and then make them accessible for members to wear when attending school gatherings, work or any other place that they are able to wear it to. What better way to express pride for your fraternity and let people know that you belong to an important group.

Besides showing off, Kappa Sigma shirts will also make it easier for you to promote the fraternity. This is very important since fraternities are generally on the lookout for new recruits, so by wearing your shirts to a number of places you will be representing an informative resource. Those people who are serious about becoming a member of a fraternity will see you and might feel more comfortable to ask you about the procedures and requirements for joining. By doing this, the fraternity membership will increase over time and also become a popular choice for many because they are to stand out from the competition.

Even though Kappa Sigma shirts tend to be the number one source for fraternity clothing, you also have additional options to consider. Several fraternity members prefer to wear shorts, jackets, sweatshirts, sweat pants, hats and more as long as the name is printed on it. There is certainly no limit for the type of clothing that you might want to incorporate in order to show off your pride. A good recommendation would be to get a variety of clothing items that will allow you to have an outfit that is suitable for any kind of gathering. Many individuals continue to wear their fraternity outfits for years after graduating just to show their pride.

Where to find Kappa sigma gear

If you are on a college campus or perhaps in the surrounding area, it is possible that you are familiar with the Greek clothing affiliated with the different fraternities. These types of clothes are usually worn by people who have pledged to a fraternity or sorority and want to show off their connection with this group. Not all the college students will belong to one of these organizations, but the ones who are involved have to maintain certain educational qualifications in order to continue as an active member. As a result individuals are extremely proud to let people know about any affiliation with a specific Greek group. Continue reading to discover where you can find Kappa Sigma gear if you are thinking about joining this fraternity.

The clothing are generally very modest yet very noticeable at the same time and can be in the form of shirts, jackets, sweatshirt or sweatpants with Greek letters representing the different groups. The letters can be seen in green, blue, black or red, even though there are several exclusions for this generalization. However, it is common for active members and alumni to be seen in their Kappa sigma gear as they will wear it with a lot of pride.

There are certain times of the year when you will see a number of people in these kinds of clothes, this period is regarded as the rush week, which is actually the time when groups are trying to recruit new members. This is a great way for members to market their group by wearing their special Greek shirts, as this will make other students become knowledgeable about them and then use this opportunity to get information about any fraternity that they are interested in joining. All the Greek organizations are extremely proud and will use their clothing not just for promotions, but also as a means to identify each other, since there is an exclusive kind of camaraderie between the individuals involved.

One of the advantages of owning fraternity clothing is that members can wear them for practically all events. But, most of the times they are only worn to classes, activities on campus, as a sleepwear and much more. You’re able to do almost everything in these clothing since they are available in many different styles. Despite the fact that most of the clothing will seem extremely casual, it is possible to incorporate many different styles such as pins, lanyards and jackets if you want to enhance your everyday wear.

In case you are wondering where you can find clothing for your fraternity, there are a number of stores which are affiliated with specific groups and will sell all their merchandise, plus some of the organizations will have items available for sale just the same. However, when you are shopping at the online retailers or local stores, you will be able to find considerably more items because you will have a number of places to shop. In the end, once you do your research and you are knowledgeable about a fraternity it will be easier for you to find all the items associated with this organization.