The Delta Nu Chapter of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Northwest Missouri State University was honored for its performance during the 2018-2019 academic year at the international organization’s biennial conclave last month in Orlando.

Reconstituted in 2018 after a three-year absence from the Northwest campus, the local chapter received Excellence in Achievement for Academic Success for having the highest cumulative grade-point average (3.25) of all fraternities at Northwest. The chapter also received an Excellence in Achievement Award for its philanthropic efforts to raise more than $3,000 for St. Jude Hospital and $500 for local nonprofit Lettuce Dream.

Nathan Meeker, who served as the chapter’s president during 2018-19 and completed his bachelor’s degree in interactive digital media last spring, said the recognition is a testament of the emphasis the chapter placed on academic and philanthropic success after it was reestablished. The chapter created a slogan – “Not for wealth, rank or honor, but for personal worth and character.”

“I believe that our men follow this slogan every day and have worked hard on their own academics to achieve goals not only set by the chapter but their own personal goals as well,” Meeker said. “Being recognized at the national conclave was a way for these men to realize how the hard work they have put into their education and into the chapter has actually paid off. I couldn’t be happier or more proud of the fraternity and the men representing it.”  

In addition, the chapter’s first president since being reestablished, Meeker was one of eight members recognized as Top Teke Individuals by the international organization. The award annually recognizes select members who excel in academics and leadership, both within the fraternity and in other campus organizations and community service. Meeker is the sixth Delta Nu Chapter member to win the award since the chapter was established in 1954.

“I can remember when I first stepped into the TKE house with our advisor, John Moore, and seeing a display of all the Delta Nu brothers who have been recognized with a Top Teke award and thinking to myself what a great honor that would be,” Meeker said. “I never thought I would be in this place, accepting my own award today. I am so extremely grateful for the experiences and memories TKE has given me the past few years. I know none of this would have been possible without the support of our amazing alumni association and the mentoring from our advisors John Moore and David Cox. Winning a Top Teke award is a way for me to be able to reflect on all the great memories that came with starting Delta Nu back up at Northwest.” 

TKE is an international fraternity with more than 250 colonies and chapters located throughout Canada and the United States. It has more than 10,000 active members and some 365,000 alumni, including President Ronald Reagan, since its founding in 1899. Among the local chapter’s prominent alumni is Dr. B.D. Owens, who served as Northwest’s President from 1977 to 1984.