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On November 12th, 1988, Florida International University’s young Greek system—which at the time was home to only one National Panhellenic Sorority and one Interfraternal Council fraternity - was changed with the establishment of the Sigma Alpha chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Since that day, the chapter has been a place where young men can develop mentally, morally, and socially. Sigma Alpha prides itself in being one of the most well-rounded fraternity chapters at FIU, with a wide array of personalities and types of men represented in the chapter- there is no "TKE stereotype" at FIU. We also pride ourselves in the awards and achievements that our brothers and the Chapter have achieved recently and in past years. Awards and Achievements Campus Involvement
The Beginnings of Tau Kappa Epsilon • Our Beginning, Growth, and Development Joseph Lorenzo Settles was born November 2, 1871, at the little town of Lexington, seventeen miles northeast of Bloominton, Illinois. He had entered Illinois Wesleyan Academy in the fall of 1896, being nearly 25 years of age, and completed both the Academy and College courses, graduating from the later in 1902. He must have been, at the age of 27, a freshman of some four months standing; his short collegiate experience being offset by his more mature age and his knowledge of conditions at Wesleyan gained during his two years in the prep school. Founder Settles worked at the Assistant Treasurer of the Methodist Centenary Fund, and later moved to Los Angeles where he served as the Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles Rotary Club. Settles remained in Los Angeles until his death on February 15, 1943. Owen Ison Truitt was born at Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois, a tiny village a few miles north of Peoria, on the east side of the Illinois River, on November 20, 1868. He was therefore thirty years old at the time of the founding. His secondary education was also gained at the Wesleyan Academy. As he and Settles graduated in the same class on June 19, 1902, they must have become well acquainted both in the Academy and as fellow freshman in college, whose life and experience at Wesleyan paralleled. Both were in training for, and after graduation entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, and both held student pastorates. Frater Truitt subsequently served four pastorates all in the Central Illinois Conference. On July 13, 1929, both he and his wife were killed in a automobile accident. He was the first of the Founders of "the Miracle Fraternity" to pass into the Chapter Eternal. Charles Roy Atkinson who signed himself C. Roy Atkinson, and was always called by his middle name, was born in Bloomington, October 17, 1877, and resided in that city all his life. He entered Illinois Wesleyan in 1896, and graduated in 1900. He was therefore a junior at the time of the founding, and scholastically two years in advance of his fellow Founders. He was a quiet young man, but a fine singer, music being the great accomplishment of his whole life. He had a leading place in many church choirs of Bloomington, and at the time of his death was director of music in the Sunday School of the First Christian Church. He was official organist for the Order of the Eastern Star, and he played for the various functions of the Masonic Lodge. He was also chairman of the music committee of the Kiwanis Club, of which he was a Past President and Charter Member. Frater Atkinson met his death in an automobile accident on September 14, 1930. A peculiarity of his funeral was the absence of vocal music, for the reason that none of the many persons with whom he had sung could trust themselves not to break down during the service. Clarence Arthur Mayer was born on May 18, 1879 at Mt. Pulaski, Logan County, Illinois. Frater Mayer graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1902. Mayer was the most colorful of the Founders. He was a musician of great natural ability and exceptional training. His field was the piano and pipe organ. In 1916 he and his wife and Wallace Grieves founded the Springfield College of Music and Allied Arts, of which he continued to be the director until 1926. Frater Mayer never ceased to be an active Teke and along with Founder McNutt, laid down the eight criteria by which a real Teke will always be recognized, and these epitomize the actual creed of the Founders. When Clarence A. Mayer died on August 8, 1960, Tau Kappa Epsilon lost not only a Founder, but an inspiring leader and a pillar of greatness. Tau Kappa Epsilon At A Glance |
