TKE Takes to the Track
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By BUD HARLAN
Published: September 29, 2008
Summary: A Northwestern State fraternity raises money for a deadly disease.
With an overcast sky and a steady rain, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) members refused a rain check. Not even the elements could dampen their purpose of raising money for Alzheimer's, a disease that kills nearly 10,000 Americans each year.
About 20 TKE members met at the track Thursday to run a collective five miles. Each member would run a lap and then pass off a horseshoe baton to the next person.
"When you break it up over 20 people, it kind of makes it easer," said Blake McNeal, philanthropy chairman and senior business major.
Philanthropy honors former president
Adopted in 2001 as the fraternity's national philanthropy, the Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in care, support and research, according to the Web site.
In those seven years, with help from all 268 collegiate TKE chapters and colonies, the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity has raised more than $257,000 for the institute, according to a press release. TKE hopes to reach a goal of $300,000.
As the local chapter's first philanthropy fundraiser of its kind, members were asked to raise at least $40 and then some.
TKE plans to donate 100 percent of the net proceeds to the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, which is part of the Alzheimer's Association.
"It seemed like a really easy event that wouldn't incur any cost," McNeal said.
President Ronald Reagan, who served as commander in chief from 1981-1989, died from the disease in 2004.
President Reagan was also a member of the TKE brotherhood at Eureka College in Eureka, Ill. His death came just three years after Tau Kappa Epsilon adopted the philanthropy.
Chapter hopes fundraiser will continue
While the stands were empty Thursday, chapter president Steven Morphew said he hopes people understand how serious the fraternity is about raising money and awareness.
"I'm not really happy with the turnout as far as the crowd goes," said Morphew, a junior psychology major. "You know, that's not why we're even doing this."
Nodding his head in agreement, Klayton Valega, chapter vice president, said he hopes people will support those who try to raise money toward a cause, even if it is a Greek organization.
Though Blake McNeal is graduating in May, he said the event went exactly as planned and hopes the chapter continues hosting the event at least twice a year.
McNeal added if more money were put into the event, more money could be generated. He said he'd like to see organizations across campus, Greek or not, get involved.
"Just because it's our philanthropy doesn't mean other people couldn't benefit by raising money for this," McNeal said.
McNeal estimates that $500 has been raised so far, not including the money members were asked to individually raise. The fraternity hopes to raise a total of $1,000. All donations must be received by Friday.
More resources on Alzheimer's:
Fraternity brothers burn rubber raising money for Alzheimer's
Bud Harlan
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Life
With an overcast sky and a steady rain, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) members refused a rain check. Not even the elements could dampen their purpose of raising money for Alzheimer's, a disease that kills nearly 10,000 Americans each year.
About 20 TKE members met at the track Thursday to run a collective five miles. Each member would run a lap and then pass off a horseshoe baton to the next person.
"When you break it up over 20 people, it kind of makes it easer," said Blake McNeal, philanthropy chairman and senior business major.
Adopted in 2001 as the fraternity's national philanthropy, the Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in care, support and research, according to the Web site.
In those seven years, with help from all 268 collegiate TKE chapters and colonies, the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity has raised more than $257,000 for the institute, according to a press release. TKE hopes to reach a goal of $300,000.
As the local chapter's first philanthropy fundraiser of its kind, members were asked to raise at least $40 and then some.
TKE plans to donate 100 percent of the net proceeds to the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, which is part of the Alzheimer's Association.
"It seemed like a really easy event that wouldn't incur any cost," McNeal said.
President Ronald Reagan, who served as commander in chief from 1981-1989, died from the disease in 2004.
President Reagan was also a member of the TKE brotherhood at Eureka College in Eureka, Ill. His death came just three years after Tau Kappa Epsilon adopted the philanthropy.
While the stands were empty Thursday, chapter president Steven Morphew said he hopes people understand how serious the fraternity is about raising money and awareness.
"I'm not really happy with the turnout as far as the crowd goes," said Morphew, a junior psychology major. "You know, that's not why we're even doing this."
Nodding his head in agreement, Klayton Valega, chapter vice president, said he hopes people will support those who try to raise money toward a cause, even if it is a Greek organization.
Though Blake McNeal is graduating in May, he said the event went exactly as planned and hopes the chapter continues hosting the event at least twice a year.
McNeal added if more money were put into the event, more money could be generated. He said he'd like to see organizations across campus, Greek or not, get involved.
"Just because it's our philanthropy doesn't mean other people couldn't benefit by raising money for this," McNeal said.
McNeal estimates that $500 has been raised so far, not including the money members were asked to individually raise. The fraternity hopes to raise a total of $1,000. All donations must be received by Friday.
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