Tau Kappa Epsilon · Mu Omicron Chapter · Tennessee Tech University
The Rebuilders Campaign
The house gave us everything. Now it needs us.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Where It All Started
From Sherman's Raiders to Mu Omicron — 60 years of brotherhood at Tech.
It started in the summer of 1963 — not as a fraternity, but as a group of young men who found each other. Sherman's Raiders, named for the warrior spirit of its members, was founded by students who were, in many ways, outsiders. They drew a circle which shut us out. So we drew a circle which took them in.
On October 15, 1965, two of those Raiders — Richard Aquilini and Frank Schinn — proposed something bolder: a fraternity. Alpha Nu Delta was born. By October 1967, the chapter voted 29 to 3 to seek affiliation with Tau Kappa Epsilon. On May 17, 1969, Mu Omicron Chapter of TKE was chartered at Tennessee Tech.
From a band of warriors to one of the most storied chapters in TKE — this is who we are, and where we come from.
The House
In 1975, we stopped renting. We became owners.
The original chapter house had been built in the early 1950s. For years, Mu Omicron rented it. In 1975, the chapter bought it outright — aided by a $45,000 second mortgage from TKE International. Ten fraters stepped up personally, signing notes guaranteeing the mortgage if the chapter couldn't. We call them The Signers, and we honor them still.
By 1986, the original mortgage was paid off. Then in 2000 the chapter did something remarkable: they built a new addition. Under the leadership of the Board of Advisors — alongside the financial support of Bill Jones — the house was expanded into what the active chapter would call home for decades. We honor these men as The Builders.
The Hard Truth
In 2000, a new house was built. The old house was left behind.
When the New House was built in 2000, attention — and resources — shifted. The original house wasn't abandoned, but the deep work it needed never happened. Minor repairs were made. But the hard problems were deferred, year after year. Leaks were patched, not fixed. Systems aged past their useful life. Periods of low chapter membership made it worse.
The floor joists are compromised. The roof joists need attention. Active leaks have caused damage that has compounded over time. The electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems are at or past end of life. The building that The Signers mortgaged and The Builders expanded has quietly fallen into serious disrepair.
Another Generation Steps Up
In 2014, we paid off the New House. Alumni and brothers, together.
The New House, built in 2000, carried a mortgage that fell to the next generation of alumni to resolve. In 2014, the Mu Omicron Alumni Association and the Board of Advisors did something that echoed what The Signers and The Builders had done before them — they got organized, got to work, and got it done.
Led by the Mu Omicron Alumni Association working with the Board of Advisors the chapter launched a coordinated fundraising and brick campaign. Brothers bought bricks. Alumni wrote checks. The mortgage was paid off in full.
It wasn't easy. It required trust, coordination, and brothers stepping up who didn't have to. That's the pattern of this chapter — when the moment demands it, Mu Omicron answers.
Scope of Work
What $800,000 rebuilds.
A complete renovation — not a patch job. Every dollar goes toward making this house structurally sound, mechanically modern, and worthy of the brotherhood that calls it home.
Structural Repair
Floor and roof joists repaired or replaced. Framing corrected for long-term structural integrity.
Plumbing & Leaks
Complete replumbing and permanent repair of all active leaks that have caused damage for years.
Electrical & HVAC
Full rewire and modern HVAC to bring the house to current code from top to bottom.
Interior Rebuild
Walls, floors, and common spaces rebuilt and finished to reflect the pride of Mu Omicron.
The Vision
The Builders did it in 1986. Now it's our turn.
In 1986, a group of brothers didn't ask whether it was possible. They signed their names to a mortgage, raised money through years of chapter fundraisers, and built something that would outlast them. They are The Builders, and they did it for brothers they would never meet.
That's who we're called to be now. The Rebuilders. Not because it's easy, but because that house belongs to every man who ever called himself a Teke at Tennessee Tech — and to every one who will.
When this is done, every brother will be able to walk back through those doors and feel pride again. Lights that work. Floors that hold. A house that says: TKE is still here, and we're not going anywhere.
Donor Recognition Levels
Choose Your Place Among the Rebuilders
Five giving levels — structured for flexibility, designed to honor commitment. The Signers signed their names. The Builders raised the money. Now it's your turn.
The Rebuilders. Foundational donors who make this project possible.
Can be paid in installments over a 12 month period
A significant investment in the future of Mu Omicron.
Can be paid in installments over a 12 month period
Honors commitment, respect, and sustained support.
Can be paid in installments over a 12 month period
Named for TKE's historic colors. A single powerful statement of loyalty.
Can be paid in installments over a 12 month period
Entry-level leadership gift. This brotherhood still matters.
Entry-level leadership gift. Named in honor of the proud nickname carried by members of Tau Kappa Epsilon..
Entry-level leadership gift. This level emphasizes the core value that defines the fraternity experience: Brotherhood.
Make Your Gift
Join the Rebuilders
Every gift brings us closer to a restored house and a stronger chapter for the brothers who follow us.
Pledged gifts fulfilled over 12 months. All donors receive a campaign acknowledgment letter.
The Rebuilders Honor Roll
Brothers who have answered the call.
Stewardship & Transparency
Our Promise to You
The Mu Omicron Alumni Association is committed to responsible, transparent stewardship of every dollar raised — just as The Signers and The Builders were committed to those who came before and after them.
Regular Updates
Periodic campaign updates on progress and milestones.
Full Transparency
Detailed budget available to any donor upon request.
Post-Project Report
Final summary of all improvements shared with all donors.
Permanent Recognition
LOVE-level donors honored permanently inside the house.
What We're Building
The Future of Mu Omicron
The renovation isn't just about fixing what's broken — it's about building something worthy of the next generation of Tekes at Tennessee Tech. The architect-approved plans transform the original section of the house into a modern, functional space designed to serve the chapter for decades to come.
First Floor
- Chapter Room — A dedicated space for chapter meetings, brotherhood events, and gatherings.
- Kitchen — A commercial-grade kitchen designed to support chapter meals and events.
- Restrooms — Female-accessible bathrooms, bringing the house up to modern standards for events and guests.
Second Floor
- 3 Officer Rooms — Private rooms designated for chapter officers, reconfigured from the original seven-bedroom layout into functional, comfortable living spaces.
- Bathrooms — A fully renovated shared bathroom with modern shower stalls, sinks, and fixtures.