TKE chapter arrives at UNC

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, the largest fraternity in the world, now has an active chapter at UNC after the international organization officially recognized a branch on campus.

To receive recognition from the international organization, the fraternity had to gather 40 members and submit an endorsement from the UNC Interfraternity Council.

Tau Kappa Epsilon, which has been operating as an unrecognized chapter, or colony, for more than two years at UNC, will now begin the process of petitioning the council for official recognition from the University.

Members of the fraternity, their friends and family and chapter alumni gathered at the Carolina Inn on Saturday night to receive their formal charter from a national branch representative.

The fraternity had never existed on the UNC campus until fifth-year student Kyle Madden decided two and a half years ago to begin the process of bringing a chapter to campus.

“My dad was a TKE, and I grew up listening to TKE stories,” Madden said. “I’ve always wanted to be a TKE. It’s a calling, a strong one.”

Kyle Madden’s father, Lee Madden, had been a part of the fraternity at Rider University, and suggested that his son start a chapter at UNC.

Kyle Madden gathered a few of his friends and started the new fraternity with the help of his father.

However, gathering members to meet the international requirements for recognition was difficult, as the fraternity could not officially participate in rush to recruit new members.

“It was, well, it was a process,” Kyle Madden said about meeting the requirements.

“We had our ups and downs, but everyone put in the effort, and it’s finally paying off.”

Tau Kappa Epsilon, established in 1899, is the only fraternity that has never had an exclusionary clause requiring members to meet a certain level of social status or wealth.

“We pride ourselves on not looking at wealth, rank or honor, but by personal wealth and character,” said Nat Sheppard, associate regional director at Tau Kappa Epsilon for the southern region.

“To this day, it’s the only collegiate university fraternity never to have an exclusionary clause.”

Senior Chris Watts, president of the fraternity, said he was in disbelief that they had received recognition.

“It feels amazing right now,” Watts said.

“We never thought this day would come. We’ve been full of hope, sometimes even false hope, but now its here. It hasn’t exactly sunk in yet, I guess.”

Jenny Levering, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, said she is optimistic about the new fraternity’s presence on campus.

“I believe that TKE will serve as a role model for other fraternities,” Levering said.

David Kreis, a recent UNC alumnus and former president of the fraternity, said he hopes the University will accept their petition for membership.

“We want them to know that TKE is going to be an asset to the Greek system, and we want to have an active dialogue with them as for what that will mean,” Kreis said.

Senior and fraternity member Akshay Ahuja said he thinks the chapter will serve as a positive force on campus.

“We want to show people that fraternities are more than just partying. They can be the epitome of brotherhood and of progress and of some greater good out there.”


Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.