"Friends from the heart, forever."
That is the motto of Delta Kappa Epsilon, founded at Yale in 1844, and
the Tau Delta chapter at Sewanee in 1969. True to the motto, we Dekes have
strong bonds of brotherhood, despite our diverse backgrounds.
Equal parts of the gentleman,
scholar, and jolly good fellow are the makings of a Deke.We have members
participating in a variety of activities including the Order of Gownsmen,
WUTS, The Sewanee Purple, the Supper Club, Arcadians, OCCU, Acolyte Guild,
The Mountain Journal, the Cricket Club, and varsity athletics. DKE is active
in community service as well, provides drivers for the Safe Ride program,
and even tutors at local high schools.
Fraternities
fill an important role at The University of The South. DKE encourages you
to go through rush, as we look forward to meeting you.
Throughout rush week, you will
encounter a wide variety of fraternities, each with their own special promise
as to why they are for you. We at DKE don't feel as though we have to make
promises as to what we will be, rather, we feel that you should see us
as we are.
DKE is much more than a social
club to it's members. It is a chance to make close friends with whom you
will remain close throughout your life. But, most importantly, it is a
chance to realize perhaps the four greatest years of your life.
After you have heard the rumors
and stories, come see what makes us what we are.
We have compiled below a list
of frequently asked questions that we hope will help you to understand
us and the fraternity system better...
"What is Fraternity RUSH?"
Rush is simply a time when a person is checking
out fraternities, or just one, to see which one he wants to join. It's
called rush because usually you meet so many people in such a short period
of time. You may hear fraternity members refer to you as a rush or rushee.
Although it is difficult to remember everyone's name when you're rushing,
don't feel intimidated or nervous - just be yourself and have a good time.
One good thing about Sewanee is that you get a whole semester before you
rush. This puts the ball in your court .
"What is DEKE RUSH?"
"It's the best time of your life." You will
meet a friendly bunch of guys of high standards and ideals who like to
have fun once in a while. Deke Rush at Tau Delta usually takes place during
January every year. The semester before that is full of rush events, like
parties, where you can enjoy some free food, nice looking ladies, and good
times. Although rush is generally in the spring, if you're interested,
you can stop by the chapter house, with some friends perhaps, at anytime.
"What does it mean to be a DEKE at Sewanee?"
One of our greatest strengths at DKE is our
diversity. We have brothers who come from a variey of ethnic and social
backgrounds. Many of our members are involved in on-campus and off-campus
activities and sports. Our current brothers hold various positions such
as Residential Computer Consultant, Assistant Proctor, Sewanee Purple Online
Editor, Vice President of APO (the service fraternity), Secretary of OCCU.
We have brothers in the Order of the Gownsmen, Sewanee Scholars, WUTS,Theatre
Sewanee and Dionysus mong many other organizations. Other members are involved
in the community as volunteer BACCHUS drivers, Habitat for Humanity volunteers,
and social workers. Dekes are also on the crew, football, cricket
and ping-pong teams.
We Dekes don't accept large numbers of pledges
just to "get our numbers up." Instead, we are a fraternity focused on maintaining
a rich tradition of brotherhood, rewarding social life, academic success,
and community service.
"Can you qualify that?"
We believe that our small chapter size can
be our greatest asset, by enabling each individual to get to know all of
his brothers on a greater level. At DKE functions, you will never run into
a brother and not remember his name. Small strong fraternities produce
an unparalleled level of quality, whereas large fraternities produce an
unparalleled level of quantity.
"I don't think I will have any time for a fraternity...
I want to make my life a success."
Thousands of Dekes already have. If there is
anything the general public knows about DKE, it is the names of some of
the Fraternity's members. Any large national fraternity will produce some
famous alumni just by the law of averages, but when a small one like DKE
produces a lot more, it's probably not accidental. As a member of DKE you
inherit a heritage of distinguished predecessors unmatched in the fraternity
world.
Some
names you might recognize are: Rutherford B. Hayes, Theodore Roosevelt,
Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush (U.S.Presidents), Dan Quayle (Vice president),
Rep. Robert Livingston (Speaker, House of Representatives), George W. Bush
Jr (Governor, Texas), Dean Acheson (U.S. Secretary of State), Henry Cabot
Lodge (Senate Majority Leader), Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author), J.P. Morgan
(Financier), Dean Witter, Jr. (Dean Witter & Co.), Irving H. Chase
(Chase Manhattan Bank), William Randolph Hearst (Publisher), Robert Peary
(first man to reach the North Pole), and Alan Bean (Astronaut, who carried
a DKE flag to the moon). This is just a short list, famous Dekes also include
over 40 U.S. Senators, 36 Foreign Ambassadors, 3 U.S. Supreme Court Justices,
dozens of U.S. Executive Cabinet Officers, 2 Nobel Prize winners, 6 Pulitzer
Prize winners, and hundreds of founders and chairmen of companies you interact
with everyday, such as AT&T, IBM, and General Electric.
"What's the motto of DKE?"
The open motto of DKE is "Friends from the
heart forever." DKE brothers are friends for life. At DKE, you'll develop
friendships that will endure past your college years. Dekes from chapters
across the nation and world have shared a strong bond of brotherhood and
tradition for over 150 years. In addition to making friends that last a
lifetime, you will have an unbelieveable number of contacts that will produce
numerous career opportunities.
"I am outgoing and make friends easily... Why
should I pay for friends?"
We at DKE do not "pay for friends!" Fraternity
dues are necessary for maintenance and upkeep of our house (repairs, land
taxes, electricity, cable, etc.), paying for liability insurance and membership
materials that each brother gets, and lastly for organizing events that
we believe are the best on campus. Unlike most college clubs or organizations
that are funded by the college administration, we are self-sufficient and
maintain our independence from the administration.
"How much does it cost to join?"
In addition to having the lowest dues ($240
each semester) of any fraternity on campus DKE also has a very low fee
for joining the fraternity. All initial costs go to the International Headquarters
who provides the materials, membership card and certificate, the DKE Educational
Manual which is the Fraternity's membership manual containing the history,
organization, ideals, and a detailed explanation of programs and traditions
of our fraternity. This fee also provides you with membership fees, liability
insurance, a subscription to The Deke Quarterly which is the official publication
of the Fraternity, and of course the highly prized Diamond Pin of recognition
once you get initiated.
"Do you have scholarships?"
We do not have any academic scholarships due
to our small size. However, we do offer financial aid based on Need. Such
aid is usually in the form of a scholarship that waives your fraternity
dues. In return, you are expected to work for the fraternity in an useful
and productive manner. Financial aid applications are reviewed every semester
and are renewed on the basis of need. If you really wish to be a Deke but
it's money that's stopping you, let us know and we will try our best to
make money the least of your worries.
"So how do I go about Rushing DKE?"
It's so simple. Call the Deke House at 598-1514
or stop by at our house. Come in and say "Hey, how's it goin', I'm thinking
about rushing DKE."
"Then what happens after I've rushed for awhile?"
If you're ready to continue in the process
of becoming a member, tell us. Then if the guys think you're a good man,
soon you will most likely become a pledge. Being a pledge is a lot of fun
because you will be part of what is called a pledge class. These other
men, who also were rushing, will probably be your friends for life. Now
because DKE is secretive, we can't tell you much more. But that's the fun
of pledging, and that's one reason why we feel that our brotherhood is
so strong in Delta Kappa Epsilon.
"My friends say that pledge period will remind
me of boot camp."
At DKE, we don't believe in making your pledge
semester the most degrading experience of your life. We have a policy against
hazing, and believe that future brothers should be treated with respect
and consideration. Your DKE pledgeship may just be the most rewarding and
memorable experience of your life!
So what are you waiting for?
Become a Deke - You won't regret it - None of us have!
.
