About Our Chapter

Epsilon-Delta

Chapter History

Rechartered at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the spring of 2013, the Epsilon-Delta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has emerged as one of the most predominant Greek organizations on campus. Our current membership is comprised of over ninety brothers hailing from a variety of different backgrounds, cultures and countries, who all individually impact the UMass community in a positive way every day in roles as campus tour guides, teaching assistants, non-profit volunteers, student-athletes, and much more. Focused on being different than the other fraternities on campus, we hold ourselves to standards of excellence in our schoolwork and in our philanthropic work. In the last year alone, we have had eight brothers attain 4.0 GPA’s, the most of any fraternity on campus, and rose close to $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We balance business with fun as well, taking part in nearly every intramural sport offered on campus, earning back-to-back Greek Week flag football championships, finishing as runner-up in the softball championships, and defending Greek Week basketball champions. We encourage you to learn more about our chapter here at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and the strides we are making to better our community every day.

Commitment to Philanthropy

As a chapter, we pride ourselves on our commitment to philanthropic causes and community outreach. The fraternal spirit in our chapter thrives in light of a new and innovative philanthropic agenda. This past semester, Epsilon-Delta co-hosted the largest Autism Speaks walk in the nation. As one might imagine, we, like any other Teke would, embraced the challenges of preparation and sought to put on a memorable walk for the Autism Speaks community. Each brother was required to raise at least $35 and send at least 10 marketing emails to friends and family. Of course, like in all fraternal domains, many brothers did much moreraising hundreds of dollars, totaling close to $6200 on behalf of our hard-working chapter.

In addition to the large Autism Speaks event, our chapter also participated in other philanthropic events. In October, our brothers were the first group of UMass fraternity volunteers at the Pumpkin 5k event, a local Halloween 5k for children in the community. Our brothers helped set up for the event and even ran a post-race game area for kids, our brothers did face painting, tattoos, and handed out lollipops. This project was a good initial step in educating folks in the community about the good work our chapter seeks to participate in. Every fall we also host our annual "Smash the Semester" Car Smash to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The event is always a big hit around campus and a staple of our philanthropic goals. Some of our other previous St. Jude events include our Cuts for a Cure, Valentine's Day Roses, and Fried Oreos events.

Along with our work at the Pumpkin 5k, our Annual Car Smash, and other philanthropic events we participate in, each week for the last two and half years we send volunteers to the Amherst survival shelter, further developing a philanthropic relationship with the community. Four days a week we send 3-5 brothers to the local Amherst Survival Shelter. Our brother have consistently done diligent volunteer work at the shelter, so much so that recently the shelter had a plaque made in honor of our commitment to living their mission, helping neighbors in need”. The plaque reads: “...in grateful recognition and appreciation for your volunteer efforts to support the Amherst Survival Center’s mission to connect our neighbors to food, clothing, healthcare, wellness and community...presented to the Brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon.” This plaque serves as just a small reminder that our work in the community is impactful and that we should strive to impress all our philanthropic collaborators in a similar manner.

Annual Car Smash for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Cuts for a Cure

Athletics

The UMass TKE athletic teams have been very successful in recent years. The flag football team has won two straight Greek Week football championships and the 2015 Old Fraternity Row Bowl Championship. The team also came in 8th place out of 172 intramural teams last season.  Aside from football, our softball team has also been very successful. This past season, the softball squad came in second out of sixty intramural teams; including going 3-0 against other Greek Organizations along the way. The TKE basketball team has also had recent success, winning the 2016 Greek Week basketball tournament. All of these accomplishments reflect the passion and cohesiveness of our entire organization. We look forward to continuing to have success in future athletic events.

Greek Week 2016 Flag Football Champions

Greek Week 2016 Basketball Champions

The Epsilon-Delta Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at University of Massachusetts Amherst was installed as a chapter on March 17, 1956.

Since 1899, Tau Kappa Epsilon has never had an exclusionary clause for membership. TKE does not judge men on their wealth, rank or honor, but instead on their personal worth and character.

Our mission is to "to aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life." In essence, we build Better Men for a Better World.