TKE News

03/11/2010 |

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Frater Mark Sterner (Tau-Mu, Johnson & Wales Univ.), who killed three of his fraternity brothers in a 1994 drunk-driving car accident, encouraged members of Middle Tennessee State University’s Greek community to refrain from driving under the influence during a speech last week. Sterner travels to campuses around the country talking about his experience. If you would like to have him at your university, contact CampusSpeak and TKE for a grant to help bring him in.

Fraternity and sorority members were required to attend “Greek Speak-Out,” which was held only a few days before spring break, to hear Sterner’s message about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Sterner was convicted of three counts of felony manslaughter, and spent three years of his life in a maximum security prison in Florida. At the time of the accident, he was a student at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.

Sterner’s account of what happened that night began with a videotape filmed the last night of his spring break in Sanibel Island, Fla. The video showed Sterner and his friends drinking, dancing and seemingly having a good time at local bar.

Sterner crashed while driving four friends back to the group’s rented condominium.

“Because I drove that night, I killed my best friends,” Sterner said. “It’s going to be with me every single day until I die."

He said the outcome of the accident should have been different.

“I was the one driving the car,” he said. “I’m the one that should be dead – not my friends.”

The auditorium was completely silent while Sterner told his story. When he concluded his presentation, there was a long line of people waiting meet him.

Lisa Shores, senior political science major and president of Lambda Theta Alpha, said she was emotionally drained after watching the presentation.

“I thought it was very moving, but also disheartening to see that one choice can fracture so many lives,” Shores said. “For me, it really hit home.”

Sigma-Omicron Chapter Prytanis Corey Jeacock said that watching Sterner’s presentation was extremely difficult for him.

“It was very heartfelt,” Jeacock said. “Especially, since he was a [fraternity] brother of ours.”

Sterner said he was willing to relive the worst night of his life if it meant he could save someone from experiencing his pain.

“People say time heals all wounds,” Sterner said. “It’s not true – not these wounds anyway.”

Angela King, director of Greek affairs, said she thinks Sterner is unique.

“He was a college student with his whole life ahead of him, like many students he felt invincible,” King said. “He didn’t think that this would ever happen to him.”

To date, Sterner has spoken to more than 2.5 million students, traveling to more than 100 colleges per year. He has been a keynote speaker for multiple organizations, including Northeastern Greek Leadership Association, CHAMPS Life Skills, the BACCHUS and GAMMA Peer Education Network’s General Assembly and the Mid-American Collegiate Health Association’s conference.

“If you can get a group of college students quiet for 40 minutes, then you must be doing something right,” Sterner said.

Adapted from an article in Sidelines, the student newspaper at Middle Tennessee State University. Be sure to follow the latest TKE News with the RSS Feed, on Twitter or the official TKE Facebook Fan Page (Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity).

Birthday of a Legend, His Academy Team Announced

03/04/2010 |

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – On January 2^nd, 1925, one of the most influential and charitable Fraters in TKE’s history joined this organization. His birthday, March 4^th, is celebrated this year with the lasting legacy he has made. The aptly named Charles R. Walgreen, Jr. TKE Leadership Academy is gearing up for another impactful year (with applications due March 15) – yet none of this would be available without his consistent and lasting support.

He gave to the TKE Educational Foundation knowing how important this organization was and continued this through his passing in 2007 by naming TKE in his will. In order to keep his memory alive in the hearts and minds of Tekes everywhere, the Walgreen Leadership Academy pushes forward to influence more men from across the TKE Nation. As a result, a top notch Facilitation Team for the 24^th Annual Conference is appropriately being named on this day.

Heading the list of dynamic personalities is Lead Facilitator Frater Chris Niles (Grand Chapter). A Life Loyal Teke, Frater Chris is the recipient of several fraternal distinctions including the Grand Prytanis Award, Medal of Excellence Award, and Volunteer of the Month twice (2006, 2009). He is a Leadership Trainer and Program Facilitator by trade and has been involved with TKE since his interactions at Bradford Woods, a retreat/ leadership facility operated by Indiana University where the Academy was held for several years.

The 2010 Charles R. Walgreen, Jr. TKE Leadership Academy will take place August 6-10 at the LaForet Conference & Retreat Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Applications are due March 15 – so you better hurry. You can also nominate candidates for the academy.
Learn more and fill out an application today.

Small Group Facilitators (in alphabetical order) are:

Tommy Asuma (Rho-Sigma, Grand Valley State Univ.)

Todd Farmer (Xi-Theta, Univ. of West Georigia)

Jim Hickey, Grand Pylortes (Zeta-Alpha, Wagner College)

Bryan Keller (Alpha-Tau, Drexel Univ.)

Matt Previts (Upsilon-Alpha, Spring Hill College)

H. Joe Puentes (Mu-Omega, George Mason Univ.)

Dorian Shager (DePauw University)

Andy Simon (Lambda, Univ. of Wisconsin)

Ethan Stubbs (Tau-Psi, Univ. of West Florida)

Facilitators in Training include:

Jerry Campos (Sigma-Alpha, Florida International Univ.)

Jon Turk (Epsilon, Iowa State Univ.)

Congratulations to all of these men! They are all looking forward to seeing you there at the 24th Annual Charles R. Walgreen, Jr. TKE Leadership Academy.

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Help the Fight Against Alzheimer's

03/03/2010 |

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alzheimer’s Association (a preferred philanthropy of TKE) is holding a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C. this weekend. On the evening of Sunday, March 7, 2010, hundreds of candles will flicker in support of the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Please join them on steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the Candlelight Tribute Rally. They will share stories, remember loved ones and advocate for an end to this devastating disease.

Can’t make it to the vigil? The Alzheimer’s Association is asking you to show your support another way. Write to congress and make the TKE presence known; or go online and light a virtual candle. Write a tribute to fellow Teke, Ronald Reagan (Iota, Eureka College) who we tragically lost to Alzheimer’s disease or to any of the estimated 5.3 million people living with the disease today.

"Be an advocate and join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease today. Bring us one-step closer to finding a cure. Your voice will be heard.” – The National Offices of the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, Ill.

Be sure to follow the latest TKE News with the RSS Feed, on Twitter or the official TKE Facebook Fan Page (Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity).

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