Chapter History

The story of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon is one of courage, persistence, and brotherhood that spans over six decades of Tennessee Tech history.

Sherman’s Raiders (Summer 1963)

Our chapter’s roots trace back to Sherman’s Raiders, formed in the summer of 1963 during an era when Tennessee Tech’s student handbook explicitly stated, “Secret societies or fraternities are prohibited.” Like many other underground social clubs at Tech, Sherman’s Raiders operated in secret to avoid members being expelled from school.

Fraternity and sorority members met off campus and used creative methods to avoid detection. As one early member recalled, “We called ourselves the IFC, hoping to be confused with the Interfaith Council instead of the InterFraternity Council. People would walk past our meeting room and tell us to say a prayer for them.”

Birth of Alpha Nu Delta (1965)

In the summer of 1965, two visionary members of Sherman’s Raiders, Richard Aquilini and Frank Schinn, began to consider converting the organization into a proper fraternity. Their leadership and dedication to brotherhood would prove instrumental in the chapter’s evolution.

At the meeting of Sherman’s Raiders on October 15, 1965, the group was formally reorganized as Alpha Nu Delta fraternity, marking the beginning of a new era of structured brotherhood and fraternal values.

The Path to Tau Kappa Epsilon (1967-1969)

Seeking National Affiliation

October 16, 1967: Richard Aquilini made the motion for Alpha Nu Delta to seek affiliation with Tau Kappa Epsilon. The motion passed by a vote of 29-3, demonstrating the strong support among the brotherhood for joining the national fraternity.

December 7, 1967: Alpha Nu Delta’s petition for affiliation with Tau Kappa Epsilon was approved by Tennessee Tech University, a significant step forward as the university began to recognize the value of Greek organizations.

December 11, 1967: Following a telephone vote by the Grand Council of Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Nu Delta was accepted as an official affiliate and became known as Alpha Nu Delta Affiliate of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

Official Charter

May 17, 1969: After another telephone vote by the Grand Council of Tau Kappa Epsilon, a telegram was delivered to Alpha Nu Delta with the historic message: “Welcome to the Men of Alpha Nu Delta as an Official Affiliate of Tau Kappa Epsilon.”

The chapter officially became the Mu Omicron Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon, part of the first wave of nationally recognized Greek organizations at Tennessee Tech University.

Alpha Nu Delta Traditions and Symbolism

Even as the chapter transitioned to TKE, the brothers honored their Alpha Nu Delta heritage with meaningful traditions:

Colors

• Blue: The color of courage
• Gold: The color of the rule by which our lives in the fraternity should be guided

Flower

The Wedgewood Dutch Iris with six petals of blue and gold. This flower blooms in the spring, symbolizing three pivotal moments in our chapter’s history:

• The season when initial preparation was made to transform Sherman’s Raiders into Alpha Nu Delta
• The season when Alpha Nu Delta was granted recognition by Tennessee Tech University
• The season when we were chartered as Mu Omicron chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon

Founding Leadership

Founding Fathers

• Richard Aquilini - Visionary leader who initiated the transformation from Sherman’s Raiders to Alpha Nu Delta and led the effort to affiliate with TKE
• Frank Schinn - Co-founder who worked alongside Aquilini to establish the fraternal foundation

Founding Members

Robert Babilino, Harold Birch, William Carvell, Thomas Colorado, Robert Cummings, William Devereux, Frank Kolski, James Kornicki, Bernie Mertaugh, Theodore Passon, Joseph Schlick, Edward Schultz, John Wichelman, John Wismer

Legacy and Impact

The transition from Sherman’s Raiders to Alpha Nu Delta to TKE Mu Omicron represents more than just organizational change - it embodies the perseverance and vision of brothers who believed in the power of fraternity even when it meant operating in secret.

As Charles Dennis, ‘69 business management, explained: “Derryberry’s rule for no fraternities had to change. Fraternities and sororities had to be part of Tech. Other universities had them.”

Today, the Mu Omicron Chapter stands as a testament to the courage of those founding brothers who transformed an underground social club into a nationally recognized fraternity. Our chapter has the unique distinction of being part of Tennessee Tech’s historic Greek life transformation in 1969, celebrating over 55 years of brotherhood since that pivotal moment.

The values instilled by our Alpha Nu Delta heritage - courage, guidance by golden rules, and the renewal that comes each spring - continue to shape our brotherhood as we carry forward the proud traditions of Tau Kappa Epsilon.