Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Homecoming planned for October 7th! Kickoff scheduled for 11:00 AM

Please make plans to attend Homecoming this year, scheduled for Saturday, October 7th, 2006. With the kickoff against the Texas A&M Aggies scheduled for 11:00 AM, we will be serving a buffet breakfast to all alumni and families. If you can't make it prior to the game, be sure to stop by afterward for grilled food and drinks on the patio.

While you're there, you'll have ample opportunity to tour the house and meet members of the active chapter. In addition, members of the board will be on hand to bring you up to date on what has happened and what the plans are for the future.

With the location literally right up the hill west of the stadium, it couldn't be more convenient - and that includes all you folks who have regular tailgates in the parking lots nearby.

Beautiful house continues to impress!

The new house we moved into last year continues to be updated and improved. New furniture, bedding and exterior siding have been added in the last year alone. TKE national consultant Dennis "Buckwheat" Perry, who has been helpful in the rush effort, has said it's one of the nicest he's ever seen. The house, located at 1111 W. 11th Street, is just a stone's throw up the hill from Memorial Stadium.

Countless hours of work by the Board of Advisors and other alumni volunteers continues to make it all happen. Lead by Board President Mike Madrigal, '85, the alumni continue to provide a solid support foundation for the undergraduates. A strong growth strategy, combined with careful use of the assets left over from the sale of the previous house, have left us in a great position to continue to strengthen the chapter. In addition, the active chapter, led by Josh Coup, '04, has been doing its part. By growing our numbers through an aggressive rush program and working hard in the classroom and in on-campus organizations, the actives are well-positioned to take advantage of the extra new space.

As always, alumni with connections in any industry that might benefit a large living organization or fraternity members in general are encouraged to let us know. Just a partial list of what we need would include: landscaping, furniture, kitchen equipment, electronics, bedding, paint, cleaning supplies, vacuums, and on and on. If you think of anything we might need, we'll probably need it.

If it's been awhile since you thought much about your old fraternity, it's time to think again! Pass on the word that things are looking good. Please email us here with your questions, comments or suggestions.

Fall 2005 Homecoming Even Better Than Expected

If you didn't attend Homecoming in the fall, then you only have yourself to blame. A sunny day on the Hill, surrounded by Fraters of all ages, enjoying some good food and perhaps maybe a cocktail or two, all made for a great precursor to the event to follow. As everyone knows, the Jayhawks thumped the Missouri Tigers for the third year in a row, winning 13-3.

Thanks again to Scott Sjoberg, '87, for all his hard work in making the arrangements.

Make your plans now to attend the Homecoming game in October in 2006. It will be against Texas A&Mon October 7th. As always, free parking is available to alumni and their families. Be sure to get there early as space does fill up quickly.

Be sure to go to the KU Athletics website for the latest game and ticket information for 2006, or call 1-800-34-HAWKS.

Alumni/Undergrad Red Carnation Ball and Golf Tournament

Alpha-Phi's third annual Alumni Red Carnation Ball was an affair full of fellowship, fine dining, and dancing. The day before the RCB, Bill Munholland '86, organized a fun golf tournament at Iron Horse Golf Course.

RCB, which was orchestrated by David Murphy '86, was held April 17 at the Overland Park, Kansas, Marriott. Even though the majority of Fraters attending were 1980s and 1990s graduates, some senior alumni also made the event. The "low scroll" for the evening was Max Lucas '53, scroll #270 and the runner up was Earl Russell III '63, scroll #484. The evening was an opportunity for old friends to get caught up, alumni to meet other alumni, and undergraduate Fraters to get acquainted with alumni. To enhance the evening, a video screen ran a DVD backdrop of changing pictures from the 1940s to the present.

In a display of dedication above and beyond the norm, Frater Russell, who is ever an inspiration to the chapter and board, made a last-minute decision to attend the event and speak to the Fraters. He flew his plane from Dallas, Texas, to Overland Park and then returned to Dallas that same evening. Even though the weather had improved from previous day, Frater Russell still had to struggle with high winds. Flying to Overland Park took him a little more than an hour and a half; however, the return trip took him three hours due to the winds. This act is just one example of the ideals and dedication exemplified by Frater Russell.

Members of the active chapter were in attendance, two of whom were presented with scholarships for their 4.0 academic achievements. Zak Beasley '04, and Tyler McMillan '04, received Triangle Achievement Scholarships. Receiving the Top Teke Award was Recruitment Chairman Alex Plassmeyer '03. Having recently conducted a retreat in April, these men, along with the other active members, are gearing up for a summer of recruiting under the auspices of Robert Baker '72, and Jim Huggins '67.

For those who have missed this event the last several years, you're out of luck. The cost to put on the event for the alumni was more than the Board wanted to keep subsidizing, and we won't be doing it in 2006.