The History of Zeta Epsilon
In the fall of 1991, a group of men at Tennessee Tech decided that they wanted something different out of fraternity life than what was currently being offered. The group of about forty men, who would later become the founding fathers of Zeta Epsilon, began to meet at a house in Indian Hills in which a few of the men were living. The group discussed their ideas and what they were looking for in a fraternity. Next came the long chore of researching various fraternities already existing in the United States. The main person behind this part of Zeta Epsilon’s history was Billy Clemor, a former Tech basketball player and Mechanical Engineer major. Through his hard work and thorough research of the history, ideals, and principles of the various fraternities, the group decided that Kappa Alpha Order had everything that they were looking for.
The group then contacted KA’s national office in Lexington, Virginia, and petitioned for interest group status. The group then became known as Kappa Alpha Kappa (KAK). The president was Billy Clemor; the vice president was Tim Sain; the secretary was Jeff Burns. The group took on this name because it could not actually call itself Kappa Alpha until it was accepted as a campus organization. By spring of 1992 KAK had taken campus by storm, having members in every aspect of campus life such as SGA senate, varsity basketball, football, and baseball. During that semester KAK had its first successful rush, despite the fact it was illegal by campus rules. This rush raised the membership up to about sixty members. Due to this illegal rush, and other factors the chapter was not allowed on campus. During the semester, KAK went before the university about four times and was denied acceptance as a university organization. Since most of the members of the interest group were seniors, some of whom had already pledged and depledged other fraternities earlier in their collegiate careers, about twenty of the original members graduated before they could see their dream become a reality. However, many came back as alumni in order to become initiated.
Finally, after some help from Dr. David Larimore, Zeta Epsilon’s faculty advisor at the time, KAK was accepted as a university organization. On August 30, 1992, the group at TTU received their provisional charter from Kappa Alpha Order. The officers were: President Tim Sain, V.P. Chuck Smith, secretary Chris Taylor. On this day, many of the graduates and students were inducted into the Order. Near the end of 1992 the KA house was moved again - this time to its present location at 910 North Jefferson Avenue. Finally, amidst the blizzard of 1993, the interest group came full circle. On March 12, 1993, in nearly two feet of snow, Zeta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Order was installed. Up until that date, Zeta Epsilon had gone from a provisional chapter to an active chapter quicker than any other chapter in KA history. The following day, national officers initiated current members and alumni into the Order.
Two years later the chapter faced the hardest test of all, and proved that a chapter is only as strong as its members. The house was almost completely destroyed by a severe storm that ravaged Cookeville in June 1995. The larger of the two oak trees in the back yard crashed into the house during a gale force wind. The rear of the house was destroyed and luckily no one was home at the time and if John Johnson (JJ) had been home he would have surely been injured or even killed. This forced the residents of the house to seek new homes. A couple stayed with friends while others were forced to seek shelter at the Whinona Inn off of highway 70, home of the Fireside Lounge. The house had literally been shaken from its foundation by the weight of the large oak
The effects were devastating to both the house and the chapter morale. It appeared this catastrophe might signal the beginning of the end for Zeta Epsilon. However, under the leadership of members Bob Wade and Kris Scarbrough, the brothers pulled together to rebuild their home. The undergraduates completed all of the work with the exception of the siding and the wiring. Although insurance only covered about one fifth of the total expense, the work was completed through the financial help of Mr. Lee Webb, the Zeta Epsilon housing corporation, and other generous alumni. This experience brought the brothers closer than they had ever been before.
Some businessman say if a company can make it through the first five years that it's very likely that the company will be around for a long time. Though the first few years were rough when the house was damaged, the brothers of Zeta Epsilon finished those first five years in style ensuring the chapters successful future. They won several national awards including the most improved chapter, the Cross and Rose, and an award for raising the fourth most money for MDA.
The last five years at Zeta Epsilon have seen the chapter grow in tradition and improve on the already high standards set forth by the founders of the chapter. Since the spring of 1998 the chapter has initiated 39 new members, remained at the top of all organizations in yearly GPA, and is continuing to pursue organizational excellence. In the fall of 1998 the chapter hit the ground running by rushing the Mu pledge class that doubled its size at the time and also received the highest GPA for fraternity new members on campus. 1999 saw the chapter receive the Scholarship Award, Most Improved Recruitment, and the brothers were recognized for raising the third most money fraternity wide for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The year 2000 was not only the year of the Y2K scare but it was also time for Zeta Epsilon to stand and be recognized as one of the best chapters in the Order. The national office invited the brothers to use a new program for select chapters in the Order called the "Crusade". Zeta Epsilon was one of the first chapters to enact the Crusade program and continues to have much success with it. When awards time rolled around in the 2000 school year the chapter didn't disappoint. The chapter received a Province Commander's Accolade, yet another Scholarship Award, and remained in the top four for money raised for MDA. 2001 saw the chapter receive the Samuel Zenas Ammen award for chapter excellence, Scholarship Award, and third in most amount money raised for MDA. So far 2002 has seen a brother as student body president at Tennessee Tech. and Greek Man of the Year. The chapter also received various campus awards and a Crusade Accolade this spring.
Even with the awards and good grades the brothers still know how to have a good time. The chapter continues to host the annual "Turkey Bash" party the week before Thanksgiving that is by far the most attended party on campus every year. Old South Week and formal are always a good time in the spring. Thanks to generous donations from the housing corporation recently a new back deck was built, new furniture was purchased for the living room, new carpet was installed throughout the common areas, and the entire house was repainted. The chapter's ten-year anniversary is fast approaching and we hope to see everyone from the founders to the newest pledges celebrating what has been and will be accomplished. Though the faces and names have changed over the years Zeta Epsilon is still dedicated to the ideals of the Order and remains on a steady upward course.
