History
The history of Theta Kappa Omega Fraternity between 1872 and 1926 is very vague. During that period, the national headquarters were in the hands of ''Alpha'', the oldest chapter. In 1899, all records were destroyed by a fire at ''Alpha'', located atFounding
On November 13, 1872, three young men decided to meet to discuss the problem of one of their comrades. This fourth friend was of high moral character and great intelligence but planned to discontinue his education since he could no longer pay all of his school expenses. That night, three young men pledged to each other that they would pay the expenses of their comrade to enable him to continue his higher education. In 1875, this beloved young friend graduated fromPeaks and valleys
Theta Kappa Omega was at a peak between 1885 and 1905 and additional chapters were added. However, from 1915 through 1924, the lack of organization, poor leadership, and strict rules prevented any secret organization from expanding. When the California Military Academy ruled against fraternities, the ''Alpha chapter'' was dissolved, and the ''Beta chapter'' took over the national leadership. A similar school ruling forced the closure of Beta, and finally ''Delta chapter'' of Columbia Military Academy became the official national headquarters. All history concerning ''Beta'' and a subsequent chapter, ''Gamma'', has been hopelessly lost. However, it is noted that ''Gamma'' ceased to exist before 1911. ''Delta chapter'' was established on September 28, 1906, by Charles Shamotulski and Carl T. McPheeters at Columbia Military Academy. Between 1906 and 1911, little is known about the chapter. In 1911, William H. Riley was Grand Master of ''Delta'', and therefore, the National President. The following year he transferred toExpansion
Between 1925 and 1930, thirty-seven chapters were installed. By May 1926, the fraternity was international with chapters located in Canada and London, England. In January 1928, the ritual and blackbook were printed and distributed by the Grand Council. In the same year, the official song of T.K.O. was written by Oscar Hurt and Julian James. The Endowment Fund of T.K.O. was established at the Biloxi Convention in 1933. Eight hundred dollars left from the administration of John Singreen was used to start the Endowment Fund and Singreen served as its trustee. J.B. Hermon was instrumental in building the fund during the years of 1934 to 1940 to about $3,000. Singreen revised the blackbook and the new edition was issued in February 1935. Singreen also compiled the National Directory in 1932.1940s and 1950s
The late1940s were marked by some twenty active chapters, with the best-attended conventions in its history. Some two hundred brothers gathered in Atlanta, Memphis, or New Orleans. Following this period, the early 1950s saw an increase in anti-fraternity activity, and subsequently, a reduction in the active chapters, with a low of eight in 1957. However, this period was certainly not without bright spots - the ''Teke Echoes'' became firmly established under the supervision of Jack Francis as the leading secondary fraternity publication; Tekes assumed leadership positions in the Inter-Fraternity Congress; and conventions were held in such places as New Orleans, Mobile, and Biloxi. The installation of ''Theta Gamma'' in 1959 signaled new success in the expansion efforts of the fraternity. The reactivation of ''Zeta Nu'' and ''Delta Epsilon'' and the installation of ''Theta Zeta'', ''Theta Eta'', and ''Theta Mu'' brought new zest to the fraternity and an era of greater acceptance of the role of fraternities began.1960s
1963 saw the Endowment Fund reach the long-sought objective of $10,000. Because of financial inflation occurring in the nation, in 1967, T.K.O. raised its national dues from the original $40 per chapter, which had been established in 1925, to $60 per chapter. 1968 saw a second expansion wave starting with the installation of ''Theta Kappa'', ''Theta Lambda'', and ''Theta Nu''.Symbols
The original coat-of-arms showed the Griffin standing rampant, or, in full standing position, with a smaller shield, and the paw grasping the sword at a salute. In September 1925, the Grand Council changed from the original to the present one that displays a Maltese Cross, a sword, and a helmet upon the shield. From the top of the shield extends the head of an eagle, and above its head rests a crown. This coat-of-arms, together with the badge of membership, represents TKO's. The badge of membership is in the shape of a diamond with the Maltese Cross in the top corner. Across the middle, the Greek letters, Theta Kappa Omega are printed. Below that the Greek letters of the member's chapter are printed. Theta Kappa Omega is the only secondary fraternity that has the individual member chapter's Greek letters on its badge. The pledge pin was in the shape of a triangle with the Greek letters Theta Kappa Omega written across the bottom. The Greek letters are gold and the pin is completely black. The official song was "SWEETHEART of T.K.O."; the words were written by Oscar Hurt and Julian James, and the music by Rupert Biggadike, recorded by Columbia Phonograph Co. in 1928, with music provided by Oscar Celestin and his original Tuxedo Band of New Orleans. The official flower of T.K.O. was the White Rose. The official colors of T.K.O. were black, white, and gold.Chapters
Following is an incomplete list of Theta Kappa Omega chapters. All chapters are intactive.Notes
References
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