TKE International Sweetheart Scholarship Renamed, Applications Open

The International Sweetheart of TKE recognizes TKE Nation’s women leaders for their commitment to impacting their local communities, advancing scholastic success and embodying the values that have shaped our great Fraternity. For decades, Tau Kappa Epsilon has recognized these women as recipients of the TKE International Sweetheart title, which includes a scholarship from the TKE Foundation.

The TKE Foundation is proud to announce the TKE International Sweetheart Scholarship will now be known as the Melanie Crockard TKE Woman of Distinction Scholarship. This scholarship is a $500 scholarship given to the woman selected to be the TKE International Sweetheart each year.

TKE Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Frater Steve Strathmann (Mu-Sigma, Morehead State), said, “Melanie Crockard embodies what it means to be a TKE woman of distinction, and the TKE Foundation is proud to recognize her legacy and love for Tau Kappa Epsilon by renaming the TKE International Sweetheart Scholarship in her honor.”

Melanie is a 1997 graduate of Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. She serves on the Board for the Humane Animal Rescue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she actively volunteers with several arts, animal and community service organizations, including the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Melanie is the wife of TKE Foundation Board of Directors Secretary Jim Crockard (Zeta-Epsilon, Waynesburg), and she is chairperson of the TKE Foundation’s Conclave Auction Committee.

Through the Melanie Crockard TKE Woman of Distinction Scholarship, the TKE Foundation will honor the empowered leaders who represent TKE as the International Sweetheart.

When asked what this award means to her, Melanie shared, “I was not a member of a sorority or sweetheart in college. I have, however, supported my husband in his on-going involvement and support of Tau Kappa Epsilon since we were dating during his law school years because I personally identify with TKE’s ideals of love, charity and esteem in addition to the diversity that TKE embraces. I live those same ideals in my own life and am proud to help support others who do as well.”

Similar to applications for TKE Foundation scholarships, the International Sweetheart application is also due on March 15.

The 2020 TKE International Sweetheart will receive the Melanie Crockard TKE Woman of Distinction Scholarship through the TKE Foundation.

Visit TKE.org/Sweetheart to apply. Applicants or chapters must submit the sweetheart application, a one-page statement explaining why she would like to represent TKE as the International Sweetheart, a one-page statement explaining why she is deserving of this award, a high resolution headshot and three supplemental photographs for use in future media announcements.

The International Sweetheart and her chapter will be notified by May 15.