Phi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon
Before there was Tau Kappa Epsilon, there was “Pen and Key” and Alpha Delta Fraternity
Early in the fall of 1920 a group of young men interested in writing and literature met at the home of Professor Hartley B. Alexander of Lincoln, a prominent member of the University of Nebraska Faculty, to form the organization known as the “Pen and Key.” Seven students and seven faculty members were admitted and the membership was placed at nine members of each class. The government of the society was entrusted to a potent Czar and an eminent Recorder who was elected annually. Faculty and student members were received on equal footing except that the officers were to be students. The quota of eighteen was never filled and the membership was seldom more than twelve at any one time. Expenses were met by assessment levied by the Czar and collected by the Recorder. Meetings were held bi-weekly at the homes of such members as were residents of Lincoln. At these meetings every sort of topic was considered and then members read and discussed their work. No member might maintain his standing without contributing at least one piece of original prose a semester. Poetry was encouraged but not required. The year 1922-23 brought about increased development and a full active list, but the June commencement and the removal of several of the faculty almost extinguished the organization.
In the fall of 1923 the new survivors faced discouraging prospects. But two of the faulty remained and these were the only members with whom meetings might be held. The student members were few and all were seniors or graduates. Before new members were considered Dr. Alexander brought up the idea of a Literary Fraternity, with a house and badge, which could do its part in the development of the moral, mental, and social qualities of the student body. As it happened, all those members who had been fraternity men had left school so that there was no difficulty in this regard.
Alpha Delta Fraternity was organized at the University Club of Lincoln, Nebraska on November 4, 1923. On the following day, the Faculty Committee on Student Organizations recognized Alpha Delta as a Campus Fraternity.
Charter Members:
Ole Jacobsen, President
Frank Scriven, Vice-President
John Starr, Secretary
T.V. Garrett, Treasurer
Jacob Gable, Librarian
E.G. Hendrickson, House Manager
John Hook, Steward
Ivan Stone
Robert Slattery
M.H. Shoemaker
Albert Roth
Leslie Rask
Gaylord Neff
Frank Moore
John Cameron
Emery Mace
Theodore Linden
Robert Hook
Wendell Kreig
Martin Ekberg
Lloyd S. Green
Shortly after this a large furnished house was occupied at 405 North 25th Street and the growth of the fraternity began. Pledges were added from time to time and school year closed with a total thirty-five names on the roll. Of the thirty-three fraternities in the University Alpha Delta finished second in scholarship, and was further honored by a Phi Beta Kappa, a Sigma Xi, two Phi Sigma Keys, two Scabbard and Blade ribbons, two citations to the Pershing Rifles, two badges of Phi Mu Alpha, and many other individual honors. One football letter was awarded during the first year. Toward the end of the first year need was felt for a better home. Search was made and a much better and more desirable house was found at 2530 Q Street, just two blocks from the old one. With three stories of grey stone, a red tiled roof, two large fireplaces, and splendid interior arrangements, it provides adequate space for thirty men. It was opened with a farewell part for the seniors late in May 1924. The closing event of the year was the initiation of the pledges of the semester.
During the summer of 1924 the members made many investigations as to the standing of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. A special meeting was held in August at which it was unanimously decided to ask for a Primary Inspection by the Grand Council of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. This meeting also expelled the one member responsible for the eleven hours of failures, which prevented the fraternity’s winning first place in scholarship for the year 1923-24. The opening of the first semester in 1924-25 was attended by the most happy prospects. Eighteen men were pledged and everyone began the year’s work for Alpha Delta with real Nebraska spirit.
On October 3, 4, 5, 1924, the primary inspection by Tau Kappa Epsilon culminated in the pleasant and informative visit of these representatives; Messrs Harrold P. Flint, H.Z. Hoyer, Hugh Landis, and Fred Shappert. The resultant conferences and association with these gentlemen proved an inspiration to all and left the members felling that they had made four warm friends. Shortly after, Kenneth Zell of Tau Chapter, Business Manager of the Oregon Aggie Football Team, also paid us a short visit.
Several honors and distinctions were acquired by individual members as the semester progressed and a few more pledges were added. A number of house parties took place and the semester was brought to a close by an attractive Winter Party at the ballroom of the Hotel Lincoln.
The most important single event of this school year has been the receiving of our dispensation to petition Tau Kappa Epsilon and the subsequent action of Alpha Delta of which this petition is a part.
Attributed to Jacob Gable (Phi #4);
Spring 1925 1925-1935 - Initiated 169 Tekes
Ole I Jacobsen #1
John A Cameron #2
Matthew H Shoemaker #3
1947-1957 - Initiated 146 Tekes
W. Carson Poe Jr #170
John Alan Hill #171
Melvin Leroy Levander #172
1969-1996 - Initiated 569 Tekes
Richard Kent Chapman #316
Dennis George Holubar #317
Charles William Satchell #318
2007
"The fourth verse of the greatest song ever written" -Dean-Ross Schessler, Phi #344
Fall 2006
"TKE Interest Group" Registered Student Organization formed - opening the way for TKE International to come onto campus.
Spring 2007
Phi Colony recognized by TKE International and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Interfraternity Council. First and second inductions take place, nearly 30 new members are inducted.
Fall 2007
Phi Colony has its first organized elections and starts working on a chartering petition for TKE International to officially reastablish as a TKE chapter. Number of active members fell to 24 during the semester as chapter fees and academic standards are established.
February 2008
With a great amount of effort, the Phi Colony reaches and surpasses the goal of 40 active members and sends out the chartering petition to TKE International.
April 19, 2008
The Phi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon is reinstalled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Two days of celebration and formal events concluded with a memorable banquet. Representatives from TKE International and UNL's Greek Affairs Office along with TKE and Phi Chapter Alumni, family and friends were all in attendence for the historical event.
"This is only the beginning" -Tyler Bakker, Phi Chapter President
TKE Homes
405 N. 25th Street, 1923-25, Alpha Delta House
Before there was Tau Kappa Epsilon Phi Chapter, there was Alpha Delta.
2530 Q Street, 1925-30, Epsilon House
Three stories of grey stone, a red tiled roof, two large fireplaces, and splendid interior arrangements, it provided adequate space for thirty men.
315 N. 14th Street, 1930-36 , McFarland Mansion
Built in 1883 for a staggering $50,000. Typical of the Victorian gingerbread era, the house was built of red brick with a slate roof and 10 fireplaces to heat the high-ceilinged wood-paneled rooms. The leaded glass and grand staircase were not only unique, but rated the home as one of the finest in the state. In later years, it served as a hospital before it was leased to Tau Kappa Epsilon. It was able to house thirty-five men. Mr J.D. McFarland was a land agent for the Burlington & Missouri Railroad, owned one bank, one savings and loan, one electric light plant, and one street railway system. He was responsible for the Nebraska State Fair coming to Lincoln. During the depression of the 1930s, he went bankrupt and moved to California.
410 N. 17th, 1948-57
In 1952 this Teke house removed its front porch and added a parking lot. “The house added much to the campus”. This location is now Area 2 Parking.
1207 D Street, 1967-70,Colony House
425 University Terrace, 1970-83
The three story brick building provided space for thirty-five men and had a House Mother’s quarters.
1637 R Street, 1975-81, The Annex
With the growing need for more space, this two story, wood frame house was purchased in the summer of 1975. The house had sleeping accommodations for eighteen men.
420 University Terrace, 1983-1996
This building is now the International Affairs building. If you search closely you can find TKE remnants.