State of the Fraternity

Esteemed Alumni Fraters, Faculty, and Friends,

As always, it is an honor to write to you on the state of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Loyola University Chicago.

As the Fraters of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter head off on summer vacation to relax, vacation, and intern in various cities across the country, I would like to update everyone on the truly momentous academic year this fraternity had. We conclude this year as the third best chapter in TKE nation in our Key Results Areas (KRAs) and earned the coveted title of a internationally recognized top Teke chapter. We raised over $14,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, our national philanthropic partner. Our brothers completed over 2,100 hours of community service. Our chapter’s grade point average was above the Loyola All Male collegiate average. Epsilon Kappa celebrated our 60th anniversary at Loyola with a widely successful and special night at our annual Red Carnation Ball where over seventy alumni from throughout those sixty years were able to attend. And most importantly, we grew our brotherhood to seventy five members strong with the twenty five new men who were officially initiated into our bond this spring. These are the numbers behind our year.

Yet, there were many intangibles in the 2015-2016 academic year that made our chapter great. We were able to participate in the Greek community at Loyola as we helped every sorority and fraternity on our campus with their own philanthropic endeavours. We enjoyed mixers with the various sororities on our campus and were able to show them that we are gentlemen first and foremost. At the Loyola Sorority and Fraternity Life Awards end of the year banquet, TKE won four of the five awards which earned us the title of Top Fraternity on Campus for the second year in a row. We won many intramural championships, making a clean sweep in the spring including the highly coveted Intramural basketball championship where we showed such depth that the TKE A team and TKE B team faced each other in the championship. Our brothers were elected and appointed to serve on various leadership positions throughout the school like the Interfraternity Council, Student Government, Orientation Leaders, Club sports captains, and many others. Finally, we were able to face as a chapter, a growing and expanded brotherhood as our chapter grew at historic levels that have not been seen in years. These aspects make us not only a great chapter but a fun chapter to be a part of. This begs the question, “Where do we go from here?”

As a chapter that continues to rise and succeed, one of the most important lessons that can be taken away from this semester is that it is not always easy and there will be bumps in the road. There will always be aspects of our chapter that need to be worked on, reevaluated, and continually discussed for the betterment of every single brother. Trust in each other is key. This comes from the Board of Advisors, Alumni, undergraduates, Loyola Faculty and Staff. Fraternity life is a continual balance of those key stakeholders. A similar balance exists within the chapter of undergraduate brothers. We always strive to succeed and perform in aspects of service, philanthropy, teamwork, leadership, and brotherhood. In order to keep these balances equal and trust present, we are forced to communicate. This is often an overlooked aspect and benefit of fraternity life. It is important we do not see conversation as a negative, but instead, as a way to keep this delicate balance of our bonds alive and well. This is the only way we succeed.

In the fall, we will begin a new challenge that will rely heavily on conversation and communication. We aim to continue our success and sustain the mentality and ideals that have gotten us to this point of greatness. The most fragile point of any organization is when we near the top because we risk losing the fire in our hearts that propelled us forward. Keeping that hunger for success and enduring brotherhood alive will be the top priority of this coming fall semester.

On behalf of the chapter, I want to thank all of those who made this historic year for Epsilon Kappa possible: The Loyola faculty and staff for providing abundant resources to continue our education outside of the classroom in leadership, the TKE Headquarters staff for their knowledge, resources, and counsel throughout the year, our esteemed alumni Fraters for their support, guidance, and wisdom, and finally, our graduating seniors who leave us after four years of dedicated brotherhood, leadership, and service to this fraternity as they were able to help transform the chapter they joined from mediocre to excellent. We wish them the best as they enter into the Fraternity for Life and begin their adult lives.

Fraters, I love this Fraternity!

Yours In The Bond,

Nick Kimble #847

Prytanis

Senior Spotlights

60th Annual Red Carnation Ball

This past Spring Epsilon Kappa enjoyed our 60th anniversary at Loyola, a momentous milestone that was highlighted during the annual Red Carnation Ball.  Held on The Odyssey, all brothers, alumni and their dates enjoyed an incredible evening with the Chicago skyline in the background.  We would like to offer a special thank you to all our alumni who attended and were able to partake in this celebration.  Here’s to another 60 incredible years!

Sorority & Fraternity Life Awards

Epsilon Kappa is very proud to have earned seven awards at Loyola University Chicago’s Sorority and Fraternity (SFL) Awards Banquet on April 15th of this year.  This event commemorates the Loyola Greek community’s personal achievements and contributions to the school itself.  This year, EK won a total of seven awards including Excellence in Academic Achievement, Excellence in Chapter Management, Excellence in Membership Development, Excellence in Risk Management, Most Community Service Hours and finally Chapter of the Year!  Furthermore, our brothers Nick Kimble and Jay Patel were able to bring home the SOA Officer of the year and Damen Student Award, respectfully!  All of these awards are further indication of this chapter’s resounding prowess, and we are very thankful for the recognition

Hegemon Update

Esteemed alumni, faculty and parents:

It was a great honor to mentor the Alpha-Alpha Pledge Class this past spring semester. The chapter initiated 25 men from this class, which makes this class one of the largest  we have had in decades. These men proved to this chapter and to myself that they uphold themselves with love, charity, and esteem.  This pledge class is made up of true men with great character, and it was a true honor to be their Hegemon. The chapter and I are very excited for this Fall's upcoming recruitment and looking forward to bringing more great men who exemplify love, charity, and esteem into Epsilon Kappa.

YITB,

Joseph Randazzo

Hegemon

Fraternity For Life Induction

Esteemed Alumni, Faculty and Parents:

It is my distinct honor to announce that twelve members have been inducted into the Fraternity For Life.  This title distinguishes Fraters Barac, Byrne, Ernst, Fatigato, Haley, Huffman, Kindred, Lee, Lockovich, Moran, Patel and Paterson for staying in Epsilon Kappa from initiation until graduation.  On behalf of this entire chapter and everyone associated with it, I would like to thank our seniors for four years of incredible dedication and unwavering brotherhood.  Our chapter has grown tremendously as a result of all your effort and we are very confident that you will all continue to be as much of an asset to the world as you have been with us.  Thank you and welcome to the Fraternity For Life!

Yours In The Bond, 

Harry Conkey

Histor

Alumni Golf Outing

For the first time since 2013, Epsilon Kappa is proud to announce it is bringing back the annual Alumni Golf Outing.  This event will be held on Saturday, September 24th at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, and all alumni are welcome to participate.  Located about 15 minutes south of Loyola's Lake Shore Campus, this beautiful course sits between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.  The day will consist of 18 holes of golf followed by dinner and drinks at the course's deck-restaurant.  Details for this event are listed below.  If you would like to participate, please reach out to Harry Conkey (312-953-8097) or email him at hdconkey@gmail.com.  Any questions about payment can be directed towards EK Alumni Association President Vincenzo Sposito (630-987-9123/ vsposito1@gmail.com).  We hope to see you all there!

Package 1:  $105- Includes 18 holes, a cart, dinner and drinks

Package 2:  $90- Includes 18 holes, dinner and drinks

Package 3:  $55- Dinner and drinks (if you are planning on joining the event but not playing golf)

* In order to allow the course adequate time to prepare for the outing, the registration-deadline is Friday, September 9th.  Anyone registering after this date will have a late fee of $10.00 imposed on them.  

TKE's Caught on Camera