Happy 243rd Birthday, America! We’re on the road to the Semiquincentennial / Sestercentennial / Bicenquinquagenary / Quarter-millennial of the United States in 2026. Phi Beta Kappa, the first Greek-letter organization will be celebrating an anniversary at the same time.
A TKE Surprise in the Mail
What a fun surprise it was to spy Tau Kappa Epsilon letters on the cover of the SIU Alumni News when I opened the mailbox yesterday.
Mark Yoder joined the Beta Chi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in 1977 when he was a computer science major. Dan Sepulveda, a 2009 graduate, served two terms as President of the chapter. His leadership led to the chapter being honored as well as his being named an International Top Teke. The pair met during the planning of the chapter’s 70 anniversary celebration planning and their trek to Mount Kilimanjaro was a fundraiser for the chapter’s support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (The link to the article is not up yet, but I will add it when it is.)
An Amazing $20 Million Effort
Sigma Chi’s commitment to cancer research is impressive and noteworthy. The fraternity has joined in the effort of Sigma Chi Jon Huntsman, the founder of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, to eradicate cancer. A pledge of $20 million for women’s cancer research and treatment was recently announced at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. The funds will help support women’s cancer research and treatment at the Institute and the new Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers. An additional 11 million has been raised since the partnership between the two entities began.
Three Sigma Chi chapters – University of Utah, Oregon State University and Georgia Southern University – were recognized for their gifts of at least $100,000. Eleven chapters raised at least $50,000 and 37 raised at least $20,000. Kudos to all involved!
Miss America 2020
The post highlighting the sorority women who are competing in Miss America 2020 is up. There are 19 National Panhellenic Conference and one National Pan-Hellenic Council women competing. (If I’ve missed anyone, please let me know.) Miss Virginia, Camille Schrier, a Kappa Delta, likely had the most unique talent entry.
