Why Fraters Like You Give
These stories show the difference Tekes are making with the help of Foundation scholarships and grants, and why Fraters and friends choose to donate to the Foundation. Share your “why” with us!
Bruce Melchert
Frater Bruce Melchert has been serving the Fraternity since his initiation into the Beta-Theta chapter at the University of Missouri in 1954. From traveling consultant to executive director to Grand Prytanis, there has not been a stone left unturned in Frater Melchert’s mission to build Better Men for a Better World.
Walking into a room, Frater Melchert’s aura serves as the epitome of the Fraternity and all that it represents, a walking time capsule in ways. Unfortunately, a number of individuals have never heard of Past Grand Prytanis Bruce Melchert. Most Tekes are not aware of the man who redefined what it means to be a Frater. They don’t know about the youngest CEO in TKE’s storied history or the measures he had to take to overcome society’s skepticism of fraternities in the ’60s.
When taking time for an interview, Frater Melchert kindly answers every question about his current state of giving, but before too long, the real conversation emerges. Stories of experiences with collegiate members and engaged alumni bring a new emotion to the façade of the man with every story in the book. It’s not about what he is doing for himself as much as what he has done for the Fraternity. His personal life today is great. There are stories of sailing adventures and decades with his loving wife by his side, but what he wants to talk about is what he is still doing to stay connected with the Fraternity.
That is why he talks about the TKE Foundation, or TEF for short. His trust in their mission is unwavering. To a man who has given his heart and soul to Tekes across the map, Frater Melchert sees the value of paving a foundation. “Working with thousands of undergraduates and as many alumni to solve problems and enhance the Fraternity experience has enriched my business and professional life. I believe that it is important to pay it back by supporting the TKE Foundation and working for the Fraternity as a volunteer.”
With an insatiable appetite to aid Fraters of today and Tekes of tomorrow, Bruce Melchert is an iconic figure to those who truly understand the manner in which he has served the Fraternity.
With over half a century of service to Tau Kappa Epsilon, Frater Melchert explains that giving is a testament to his legacy. “It’s part of my DNA. It would have been odd if I didn’t continue to support the Fraternity.”
Beyond an overwhelming connection to the Fraternity, Frater Melchert describes the TKE Foundation as a truly remarkable organization. “There are plenty of organizations worth giving to, but TKE has always had a special place in my heart. I grew up in TKE. It has been a part of my life for 60 years.”
With a mission to promote academic achievement and strengthen moral, social and community values, the TKE Foundation has been supporting Tekes for the past several decades and has provided countless opportunities to individuals looking to develop their abilities.
To further TEF’s reach and appearance, Frater Melchert has made a financial commitment to the TKE Foundation that will allow the Fraternity’s storied history to be properly displayed in the newly constructed Heritage Center. With 116 years of history that is mostly in boxes, this gift serves as a reminder of the rich history we share with past and future Fraters.
Point blank, Bruce knows why he continues to support the TKE Foundation. “Tau Kappa Epsilon has been so much of my life. I want to keep it that way.”
Richard C. Ernest
Frater Richard C. Ernest, better known as Ernie, is a Frater who is as kind as he is passionate. As a generous donor, Ernie’s roots with Tau Kappa Epsilon originated from the Beta-Mu chapter at Bucknell University, and through a successful professional career, and personal generosity to match, Ernie is recognized as one of the Fraternity’s all-time leading donors.
Ernie joined the Beta-Mu chapter during a time of international turmoil and political unrest. The Vietnam War was taking place and men looked to join organizations as a way to cope with the current state of affairs.
“I wanted to be with as many people as I could as the political dilemma unraveled,” said Ernie. “I found comfort in ritual and other aspects of the chapter. Tekes were a great group of men and made my collegiate experience what it was.”
The impression Tau Kappa Epsilon left on Ernie was one he could not easily shake. Not ready to move on from the Fraternity that helped him in so many ways, Ernie joined the Beta- Mu chapter Board of Advisors in 1972 while attending graduate school and working a full-time job.
Some 25 years later, Ernie saw a change in his home chapter. The men of the Beta-Mu chapter lost their way and the Board of Advisors was forced to close the chapter house to the university.
As time passed, the Offices of the Grand Chapter worked to revitalize the Beta- Mu chapter by sending two representatives to Bucknell to gather a new core group. Previously involved alumni were also welcomed back and were reengaged with the chapter.
“I saw how the International Headquarters stepped up and helped Beta-Mu become a Top TKE Chapter,” said Ernie. “I started getting more involved after that and I found that the TKE Foundation was the best opportunity for me to give back.”
Ernie capitalized on the opportunity and joined the Board of Directors of the TKE Foundation in 2004. Six years later, Ernie was elected Chairman of the TEF Board of Directors, a position he held until April of 2014. Today, he continues his involvement in the honored role of Chairman Emeritus.
Ernie explains that he continues to dedicate time and resources in hopes that Fraters will always have the opportunity to further advance their leadership and management skills as the Fraternity helped him in such ways.
In Ernie’s eyes, the value of leadership as taught by the Fraternity is unrivaled, “My Bucknell education was in chemistry, and that was certainly helpful in that field, but I realized how inadequate my college education was in regard to managing people and how exceptional my fraternity education was in that regard.” Many years ago, Ernie established a life insurance policy naming the TKE Foundation as his beneficiary. He has also encouraged many others to follow his example.
“There are so many good, worthy causes out there there, but you should donate to an organization that has touched your life in a positive way; TKE is such an organization,” said Ernie. “When you donate, you can have confidence that each and every dollar will have an immediate and meaningful impact on the lives of undergraduate Tekes across the nation! You can make a difference!”
Richard Pisano, Jr.
TKE was a wonderful melting pot of guys from all backgrounds and interests and my son Richie found “his people” at TKE. Not only did he rise through the leadership ranks and gain invaluable leadership skills, but other qualities and traits his mother and I instilled in him continued to be solidified and reinforced throughout his TKE experiences. I invest to surround these young men like my son Richie with the necessary support on their journey to become the best spouses, parents, and community members they can be.
Roger Underwood
One of the things I loved most in my collegiate days was that mediocrity wasn’t the norm – nor was it accepted. It was met with a challenge that included encouragement, inspiration, and a brotherly push to excel to be the best version of ourselves. TKE produces extraordinary men through the diversity of each chapter’s Fraters. Their varied backgrounds allow them to tell a different story, share insight through unique lenses, and bring a perspective that collectively makes each chapter stronger. This is why I invest.
James Upton
By teaching generations of young men to put others before themselves, TKE is creating men with the values and integrity necessary to have a level of duty to country, family, and self. Tekes know how to hold themselves and their fellow Fraters to a higher standard and how to contribute in meaningful ways to their community. This is why I invest in TKE.
Melvin Garcia
Getting the opportunity to attend programs such as the Regional Leadership Conference, Conclave and Leadership Academy have been instrumental in my development as a leader for my chapter, community and family. I never expected the immeasurable value this Fraternity has afforded me and am grateful to the Fraters and friends who invest back in TKE to make this possible for the next generation of members. Thank You!
Gibson Cheney
As a collegiate and donor, I have seen the immense value of the TKE Foundation through the TKE Leadership Academy. I took this experience to be more involved in my chapter’s leadership team, on our campus and community. I would not be the man I am today without this amazing experience afforded to me by our donors. Thank You.
Felix Bishop
Frater Felix Bishop is a veteran residential real estate Broker in the Greater Memphis area. He’s a Vice President with Crye-Leike, Realtors, the fifth largest broker in the United States. He’s also a past president of the Multi-Million Dollar Club of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors.
And yet, despite his prominent commitments, Felix still finds time to be an advisor to his TKE chapter, Pi-Epsilon, at Christian Brothers University. In fact, Felix has been shepherding his chapter for 32 years, which is one of the reasons why they been recognized several times as a TOP TEKE CHAPTER.
Felix understands the value of investing – in real estate and in TKE collegiate. A consummate and loyal TKE, Felix has also thoughtfully invested in the future of his chapter and the TKE Foundation by designating both entities as beneficiaries (a percentage to each) of his life insurance policy. Life insurance makes a wonderful gift to TEF because it is quickly sent to the beneficiary. Many people have life insurance policies they no longer need to leave to heirs, and this makes a meaningful and lasting legacy to TEF.
Felix says about his generous gift, “TKE has been so important in my life, and my career, that it was natural to want to leave a lasting legacy, which is why I took the time to make this gift and to notify the TKE Foundation.”