Chapter History

The Nu-Xi chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon at Stephen F Austin State University was revived back in the fall of 1996 with the help of Associate Director of Chapter Services Dennis "Buckwheat" Perry, Frater Brian Tuttle, and Frater Gary Granger. On November 23, 1996 , fifty men were initiated into the fraternity. To date, that is the largest pledge class ever to be initiated in the history of Stephen F Austin State University.

During that fall semester, officers were selected by Dennis Perry and served for the entire fall semester. They were Prytanis Colby Morris, Internal Epiprytanis Manny Menard, External Epiprytanis Joel Turner, Grammateus W. Thompson, Crysopholos Seth Pyle, Hypophetes Joe Pierce, Histor Brian Lambert, Pylortes Jamie Dayton, Hegemon Jeff McNutt, Rush Chairman William Bayne, and Social Chairman Ryan Miller.

Also that semester, several things were accomplished. We spent considerable time establishing ourselves back on campus as well as in the community. This included presenting ourselves to the administration and becoming recognized by the university as a viable organization. We also formally introduced ourselves to all sororities that presently reside at SFA. Later that semester, we elected Frater Brian Tuttle as our Chapter Advisor and Gary Granger was appointed Chairman of our newly assembled Board of Advisors.

Outside the Campus we established ties with local financial institutions as well as various local officials. Furthermore, the fraternity volunteered its time at a state funded child care facility called "Head Start." Here we carved pumpkins at Halloween and later hosted a Christmas party for the children. These activities were deemed necessary by the chapter and the decision was made to make them annual events.

The spring semester of 1997 was an even bigger success. This was due to tactful planning created by our highly effected officer corps under the skillful leadership of newly elected Prytanis Trey Turner . This was the first opportunity the chapter had to start and field an intramural softball team. That spring semester we advanced all the way to the finals and ended up placing third. In addition, this was the first opportunity we had to participate in rush activities. We offered bids to seven individuals, however, only four ended up getting initiated. They were Craig Turnage , Preston Pavlu, Dale Green , and Kevin Mingus.

During this spring semester, Nu-Xi also maintained a very active community service schedule. The chapter co-sponsored the "Bowl for Kids Sake" annual Bowl-A-Thon along with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Nacogdoches. In April, the men served as official judges at the annual Area #7 Special Olympics.

During the beginning phases of our growth we established good relations on and off campus. On campus, these relations were aided by many of our men serving in the Student Government Association and the Student Foundation Association. In addition to becoming known for our leadership in community service and campus activities, we were also becoming known for our high academic standards. We have maintained a grade point average well above the "all men's average," since our first semester back on campus, and our men have received such honors as induction in the Order of Omega and Beta Gamma Sigma.

The chapter also managed to have a plentiful social schedule. The chapter hosted two woodsies, several sorority exchanges, a golf tournament, participated in homecoming festivities, parents weekend, and Sweat Equity day activities. Furthermore, we participated in a Teke Island Party and put on our first annual Red Carnation Ball.

The chapter was installed on Saturday, May 2, 1998 on the Stephen F Austin State University campus. Administering the installation was Grand Histor Mark Fite and Assistant Director of Chapter Services Adam Rapp. The officers installed were Prytanis Joel L. Turner III, Epiprytanis Jeff Anderson, Grammateus Jason Padgett, Crysopholos Jeff McNutt, Histor Craig Turnage , Hypophetes Eddie Canales, Hegemon Dale Green , and Pylortes Adam Dalton.

The second annual Red Carnation Ball followed Nu-Xi's installation. It was held at the Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center in Nacogdoches , TX . At the banquet, Grand Histor Mark Fite presented Prytanis Joel Turner with certificates in lieu of the charter. Awards for top Teke went to Rick Pickard and Joel Turner. After the awards ceremony, Prytanis Joel Turner welcomed the guests and gave his final Prytnoral address. Following this, the Ball commenced and soon after, the chapter announced it's new sweetheart.