2022-2024 Spirit of the Fraternity Address
Fraters -
One of the great privileges, but high responsibilities of the Grand Prytanis is to capture the Spirit of the Fraternity and translate it into words on paper. Instead of reinventing the wheel, which has maintained its same form and function for the past 6,000 years, I believe it important to reflect upon Fraters who have come before us to capture the Spirit of the Fraternity.
In his 1985 State of the Union Address, Frater Ronald Reagan said “There are no constraints on the human mind, no walls around the human spirit, no barriers to our progress except those we ourselves erect.” Either purposefully or intrinsically, Frater Reagan summarized the Spirit of Tau Kappa Epsilon as our Founders envisioned, and as we demonstrate today.
In the January 1908 inaugural article of The Teke, Alpha Epiprytanis Frater Edward P. Imboden wrote:
A man who is asked to join a fraternity such as the one of which this is the official organ, should consider himself fortunate, and hold those from whom the invitation emanates in great esteem. Affirmative decision should be made only after due consideration, a weighing of the pro’s and con’s, a proper realization of the obligation, and will, if imposed, be self imposed, and after a feeling or consciousness that a positive answer is in perfect harmony with every thought relative to decision.
With this attitude as pledge a man is far on his way toward the attainment, in some degree, at least, of that greater binder and cementer of hearts and interests, which is love. That service is not the highest which is compelled by a vow alone, nor that labor the most enjoyable which is impelled by force alone, neither is that interest in and loyalty to a fraternity the most exalted kind and type, if issuing from a man other than one who knows how to love men, for that is what the organization is composed of, living men.
You may be a candidate who is about to assume the Bond of our Fraternity, a collegiate member who has supported your local chapter, or an alumnus who is reminiscing about having taken the Bond yourself years ago. This moment demonstrates the essence of Tau Kappa Epsilon as the place we come together to be reminded of the essential elements of true brotherhood. In these moments we absorb the Spirit of the Fraternity and hold it within our hearts. At this time, we absorb our obligation through that Spirit which is unique to each of us, and demonstrate it to our Fraters, our campuses, and our communities.
In June 1909, Frater Arthur A. Heinlein (Alpha) described the mark of a fraternity man as,
“Of his many attributes let me briefly emphasize one, often overlooked, and yet one vital in its importance. It is the unfailing sign of his fraternal efficiency, and is the test of the typical Teke. Open mindedness. Does the prospective pledge exhibit a freedom from bias or prejudice? Are his mental processes hard-boiled, or are they plastic? Can he change his mind, should need arise? Of course he must not be moved by every fad or fancy, but his mind out to be disposed to pass on a situation’s merits by being open to new facts. A good fraternity man may often see a reason for changing his mind, or reversing a judgment.”
Tau Kappa Epsilon has celebrated a long and proud history of focusing on the personal worth and character of men as we fulfill our mission to aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life. The achievement of our mission is a lifelong journey that requires us to hold fast to our principles of love, charity, and esteem.
In 1978, Past Grand Prytanis and Order of the Golden Eagle recipient Dr. William V. Muse said in his Founder’s Day Message:
As we pause to honor the Founders of Tau Kappa Epsilon, we should reflect upon the lessons that are learned from our past. Little achievement is possible without hard work. Dedication and commitment to a set of principles is essential if we are to win the hearts and souls of men, attracting them to share with us the fraternity experience. Persistence in the face of problems strengthens the character of the individual and the organization.
Although Tau Kappa Epsilon has hundreds of active chapters and emerging chapters, thousands of active collegiate members, and hundreds of thousands of living members, we are one in Tau Kappa Epsilon. Too often we focus on the me, and not the we of the Fraternity. Collectively, our International Fraternity reaches all areas of industries, waters from the Atlantic to the Pacific, relationships of all types, and successes so immense that their stories would fill thousands of pages. The core tenet of all of these achievements is love and an undying dedication to our founding principles.
Past Grand Prytanis and Order of the Golden Eagle recipient Bob Barr once said, “People come up to me and tell me they support me because I never left my principles.” We know Frater Barr to be a strong, staunch, and proud conservative who says what he means and means what he says. A decade ago, I decided to run for political office, and represent a party that is different from Frater Barr. As I opened my campaign and announced my candidacy, one afternoon a letter came into my campaign office. Contained inside was a donation check, and a note from Frater Barr which said, “Frater, give them hell.”
Today we are surrounded by issues that polarize us, wherein at times we are hard-boiled in those beliefs as Frater Heinlein wrote over 120 years ago. To me, the Spirit of Tau Kappa Epsilon is one that allows us to return to the essential elements of our brotherhood to address the problems that face us individually and collectively as a society while trusting the honest convictions of fellow Fraters who may think differently than we do.
Our beloved Fraternity has given me great friends, mentors, and those to rely upon in times of difficulty and need. The longest-lasting relationships in my life have been with fellow Fraters. I’ve been blessed to serve our Fraternity, and in doing so, made lifelong connections who have challenged me on what I think and believe. I am a better father, husband, lawyer, and Frater because of Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Finally, I reflect on the words of one of my good friends and mentor Past Grand Prytanis Dr. James Hickey, who ended his Spirit of the Fraternity address as follows:
Tau Kappa Epsilon is well-positioned for continued success. With God’s grace, with faith in our heritage, with confidence in our future, with talented staff and unswerving volunteers committed to the “magnificent obsession,” with the timeless wisdom of our founders and with fidelity to mission, the best days of Tau Kappa Epsilon lie ahead.
Fraters, I love the Fraternity.
Yours in the Bond,
Ryan J. Vescio
Grand Prytanis