This Day in TKE History: TKE is World's Largest Fraternity

On April 5th, 1959 Tau Kappa Epsilon began its reign of being the largest fraternity in the world. Forty-eight years later TKE has 274 chapters and colonies across North America, more than 240,000 in total membership since founding in 1899 and is affiliated with the largest Greek Life entity in Germany called The Corps.

As Tau Kappa Epsilon entered the decade of the 1960s, it had assumed a position of vital importance in the fraternity world. TKE was now the largest fraternity with more than 160 chapters and was a leader in all aspects of interfraternity competition. This decade was to bring about continued growth along with a solidification of fraternity policies, procedures, and operations.

Frater Don Kaser of Epsilon Chapter (Iowa State University), a veteran of ten years on the Grand Council, was elected Grand Prytanis at the 30th Conclave at the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel in Detroit. Frater Kaser's administration saw 41 new chapters installed, with the most significant being the 200th charter grant to Iota-Theta chapter at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, on March 23, 1963. TKE thus became the first fraternity to install 200 chapters, a goal long considered impossible.

Under the leadership of Frater Kaser, Tau Kappa Epsilon achieved a position of solid financial stability, dedicated its first permanent International Headquarters building, and formulated and instigated new programs becoming that of the largest and most progressive fraternity.

The Offices of the Grand Chapter encourages all fraters to celebrate this distinction today and continue the work of our founders.

If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.