"Not for wealth rank or honor but for personal worth and character"
Our Chapter History
Tau Kappa Epsilon was started at Western Connecticut State University in the spring of 1991 by a few men who did not like what the current fraternities had to offer on campus and wanted something better. Many international fraternities were considered, but Tau Kappa Epsilon was the one with all the right stuff. They were the largest social fraternity in the world (and still are) and they were the most respected in the fraternity world because of their undying devotion to move away from the "Animal House" image, by banning hazing in the education program as well as promoting overall leadership and success in academics. During the spring of 1991, the TKE colony at WCSU was formed, forming with it, a new fraternity that believes in accepting people for their personal worth and character, not for wealth, rank, or honor. The new colony was recognized by both the university and TKE international. However, This was just the beginning.
Tau Kappa Epsilon was started at Western Connecticut State University in the spring of 1991 by a few men who did not like what the current fraternities had to offer on campus and wanted something better. Many international fraternities were considered, but Tau Kappa Epsilon was the one with all the right stuff. They were the largest social fraternity in the world (and still are) and they were the most respected in the fraternity world because of their undying devotion to move away from the "Animal House" image, by banning hazing in the education program as well as promoting overall leadership and success in academics. During the spring of 1991, the TKE colony at WCSU was formed, forming with it, a new fraternity that believes in accepting people for their personal worth and character, not for wealth, rank, or honor. The new colony was recognized by both the university and TKE international. However, This was just the beginning.
First, the young group set out to reach a goal of twenty men, by acquiring names of people that might be interested. While doing this they decided that they needed to create an executive board. The first E. board consisted of Tom Bonano as President, Jeff Davis as Vice President, Anthony Faath as Secretary, Byron Branning as Treasurer, Michael Tortora as Historian, Tom Moore as Chaplain, Nick Bolovinos as Sergeant at Arms, and James Nelson as Educator. After the leadership of this colony was established they started the recruiting of the founding fathers. At the first official meeting of the newly formed colony, it was made clear that the road to chapter hood was not going to be an easy one. At one of the meetings, David "Fozzie" Fabrizio was in attendance. Frater Fabrizio is an alumnus of the Nu Omicron Chapter at the University of Bridgeport. Being a newly appointed District Vice President and TKE alumnus, Fozzie pushed the newly established colony towards it's goals.
In the Fall semester of 1991, the founding fathers had been recruited and numbered twenty two. The following spring, five members made up the Alpha class in what was considered TKE colony #673's first rush. On May 9, 1992 the initiation of the Founding Fathers and the Alpha class took place.
The academic year of 1992-1993 was a year of much growth for Tau kappa Epsilon colony #673. in this academic year, TKE became a Powerhouse at the University by rushing eighteen new men into the fraternity, forming the Beta, Gamma and Delta classes. This year proved the power of the fraternity. With 36 brothers working together, the events that TKE Fraternity put together blew the campus away. Over the years, Tau Zeta has sponsored speakers and special guest to speak on behalf of our beliefs and ideals, like Eileen Stevens who spoke about the importance of Non-Hazing programs.
One of our most memorable events was launching TKE's first-ever (WCSU's as well), Hot Air Balloon over the parking lot at the library during the Homecoming Football Game.
By year's end, all of our hard work and dedication paid off at our Red Carnation Ball on May 1, 1992 in a very unforgettable ceremony Western Connecticut State University Colony #673 became the Tau Zeta Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity.
In the Fall semester of 1991, the founding fathers had been recruited and numbered twenty two. The following spring, five members made up the Alpha class in what was considered TKE colony #673's first rush. On May 9, 1992 the initiation of the Founding Fathers and the Alpha class took place.
The academic year of 1992-1993 was a year of much growth for Tau kappa Epsilon colony #673. in this academic year, TKE became a Powerhouse at the University by rushing eighteen new men into the fraternity, forming the Beta, Gamma and Delta classes. This year proved the power of the fraternity. With 36 brothers working together, the events that TKE Fraternity put together blew the campus away. Over the years, Tau Zeta has sponsored speakers and special guest to speak on behalf of our beliefs and ideals, like Eileen Stevens who spoke about the importance of Non-Hazing programs.
One of our most memorable events was launching TKE's first-ever (WCSU's as well), Hot Air Balloon over the parking lot at the library during the Homecoming Football Game.
By year's end, all of our hard work and dedication paid off at our Red Carnation Ball on May 1, 1992 in a very unforgettable ceremony Western Connecticut State University Colony #673 became the Tau Zeta Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity.