A spirit lives in each one of us and today a collection of men are confirming that a fervent fire for Tau Kappa Epsilon burns bright. This is an important milestone in the history of TKE as we assemble to initiate new men into the bond and celebrate the effort they will be putting forth to ensure the future of this great Fraternity. It is a time of monumental importance in both their personal lives, and the life of this organization.

 

It is also a time for us to remember the rich heritage of our Fraternity. We must remember the hard work of literally thousands of fellow Fraters that have made us what we are today. We have accomplished many things in the recent past that need to be on the forefront of our minds. We ended the past biennium with 274 chapters, growing the size of the Grand Chapter in addition to growing the active membership to more than 10,000 men, and we initiated our 250,000th man at the past Conclave in New Orleans. What does this all mean to you? TKE is solid and growing stronger ever day.  

 

So can we do better in the biennium to come? Of course we can. The primary challenge to you as a new Frater, is to continue to grow the fraternity at all levels, starting with your local chapter. The lifeblood of any fraternity is its numbers – its manpower. To grow, we must recruit, recruit, and recruit some more. We must recruit, not for just a day or designated week in a semester, but all year long. Please understand that as a new member of your chapter, the most important asset you can offer is your energy and knowledge in making new recruiting contacts. 

 

You are by far the most important link to any success we will hope to experience over the next biennium and beyond. Do you have what it takes to be the leaders in your chapter and community? I know you do. You have the passion. You have the fundamental belief of love, charity, and esteem, not only for your fellow Fraters, but for all people across this land.

 

Fraters, take a second to look around the room. The men you see around you will be your best friends, your best men at your weddings, and many years from now will still be there to call on when you need them. You will move on from this point, walk through airports or sit at a diner and find members all over the world to connect with. The basic philosophy of “not for wealth, rank, or honor....but for personal worth and character” should help guide your actions as it did for the founders more than 110 years ago.

 

This is the challenge I put before you. Which of you will take this on and become a leader in whatever you do, wherever the road may lead? Which of you will embrace the spirit, the passion of TKE that has been kindled in your daily fraternal lives? Which of you will become a true “Life Loyal Teke” in the “Fraternity for Life?” Which of you will keep this spirit burning, not for just a few days, weeks or months, but for all your remaining years?

 

My fondest and keen hope is these will be with each and every one of you because you are the future of Tau Kappa Epsilon, the greatest fraternity on earth.

 

God bless you all, and Fraters, I LOVE THIS FRATERNITY!

 

 

Grand Prytanis