257:, after having received help from his three companions for the past three years. He had decided that such unselfish, brotherly acts should continue. He felt his friends' deeds should be recognized; that young men of the future should endeavor to follow in their footsteps. To show his gratitude, and to insure that brotherly love and help should be extended to all deserving students, he organized an undergraduate group into a fraternity to continue in the first group's tradition. He selected the name of Theta Kappa Omega. This first chapter,
221:. The fraternity established local chapters in towns and cities across the United States. The chapters were run by a chapter president, known as the Grand Master, and other elected officers. The national fraternity was governed by an elected body of alumni known as the Grand Council. National conventions were held annually. Most chapters were defunct by the end of the 1960s.
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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
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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
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The late 1940s 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
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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
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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
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In
September 1925, Warfield Rogers, H. Grayson Lambert, Jr., Harry Rogers, Grattan Brown, Herman Jorgenson, and Julian James met in Memphis, Tennessee and decided that in the best interest of their fraternity, the national headquarters should be moved from Delta chapter of Columbia, Tennessee to
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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
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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
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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.
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Chapter formed from Delta Tau Sigma
Fraternity, a local fraternity that was organized on February 24, 1923. Although organized as a citywide chapter, it was affiliated with Boy's High School. and Tech High
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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.
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Memphis, Tennessee, and that the national work of the fraternity should be carried on by a body of alumni from three or more chapters, this body of men to be known as the Grand Council.
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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.
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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.
350:. These chapters were formed in a city rather than a school, an innovation for T.K.O., selecting outstanding boys of a town rather than the usual military boarding school.
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Between 1925 and 1930, thirty-seven chapters were installed. By May 1926, the fraternity was international with chapters located in Canada and London, England.
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was installed in Atlanta, Georgia; the Epsilon chapter was also founded there. This was the first time there existed two chapters of T.K.O in the same city.
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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
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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
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Singreen revised the blackbook and the new edition was issued in February 1935. Singreen also compiled the National Directory in 1932.
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was formerly Delta Tau Sigma Fraternity, a local, which was organized on February 24, 1923. Immediately following their petition to
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pledged to each other that they would pay the expenses of their comrade to enable him to continue his higher education.
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the active chapters, with a low of eight in 1957. However, this period was certainly not without bright spots - the
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This article is about the defunct high school fraternity. For the national fraternity with a similar nickname, see
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was admitted into the Pan Hellenic Council of Boy's High School soon after it became a chapter. Shortly after
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The official flower of T.K.O. was the White Rose. The official colors of T.K.O. were black, white, and gold.
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312:. Between 1906 and 1911, little is known about the chapter. In 1911, William H. Riley was Grand Master of
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Although chartered as a citywide chapter, this chapter was eventually affiliated with University School.
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brought new zest to the fraternity and an era of greater acceptance of the role of fraternities began.
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took over the national leadership. A similar school ruling forced the closure of Beta, and finally
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Grand Master, and G. O. Melchor installed them into the bonds of T.K.O. The first Grand Master of
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in 1959 signaled new success in the expansion efforts of the fraternity. The reactivation of
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Following is an incomplete list of Theta Kappa Omega chapters. All chapters are inactive.
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was established on September 28, 1906, by Charles Shamotulski and Carl T. McPheeters at
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Northwest Classen High School, Cassidy High School, and Classen High School.
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233:, the oldest chapter. In 1899, all records were destroyed by a fire at
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Chapter closed because of institutional policies against fraternities.
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became the official national headquarters. All history concerning
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1111:"Theta Kappa Omega Fraternity Gives Smoker Wednesday Evening"
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34:
209:), also known by its nicknames TKO or "Teke", was a social
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individual member chapter's Greek letters on its badge.
298:, has been hopelessly lost. However, it is noted that
1164:"University School Theta Kappa Omega to Give Smoker"
261:, was located at the California Military Academy in
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253:In 1875, this beloved young friend graduated from
1139:"Fraternity of Boys' and Tech High to Give Dance"
324:in October, the first fraternity in that school.
1262:Fraternities and sororities in the United States
1034:"T.K.O. Entertains With Big Anniversary Banquet"
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484:and his original Tuxedo Band of New Orleans.
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1089:. Biloxi, Mississippi. 1926-03-27. p. 2
1064:. Columbia, Tennessee. 1915-05-07. p. 6
1040:. Memphis, Tennessee. 1925-11-22. p. 39
213:for high school–aged men founded in 1872 at
1083:"G.M.C.A. Fraternity Dines at Buena Vista"
622:Technological High School (former name of
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1267:Student organizations established in 1872
1195:. Brunswick, Maine. 1935-04-04. p. 1
1257:High school fraternities and sororities
1004:"'Prep' School Frat Forms Chapter Here"
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330:is responsible for the installation of
16:Defunct American high school fraternity
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1189:"Brunswick Girl to Marry M.I.T. Man"
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302:ceased to exist before 1911.
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48:; 152 years ago
1227:– via Newspapers.com.
1202:– via Newspapers.com.
1177:– via Newspapers.com.
1152:– via Newspapers.com.
1124:– via Newspapers.com.
1096:– via Newspapers.com.
1071:– via Newspapers.com.
1047:– via Newspapers.com.
1017:– via Newspapers.com.
602:Gulf Coast Military Academy
527:California Military Academy
318:Gulf Coast Military Academy
255:California Military Academy
239:California Military Academy
215:California Military Academy
59:California Military Academy
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360:, H. Grayson Lambert Jr.,
294:and a subsequent chapter,
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580:Columbia Military Academy
310:Columbia Military Academy
288:Columbia Military Academy
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1218:Fort Worth Star-Telegram
1170:. 1924-12-03. p. 21
1145:. 1925-01-25. p. 44
1117:. 1924-05-01. p. 26
1010:. 1926-05-21. p. 11
424:and the installation of
1220:. 1926-05-30. p. 9
924:dormant c. 20xx ?
847:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
504:Chapter date and range
278:was dissolved, and the
1008:The Shreveport Journal
792:New Orleans, Louisiana
729:Texas Military College
478:Columbia Phonograph Co
211:Secondary Fraternities
1038:The Commercial Appeal
811:Union City, Tennessee
754:Shreveport, Louisiana
368:was Frank M. Boston.
1193:The Brunswick Record
532:Mayfield, California
412:The installation of
263:Mayfield, California
219:Mayfield, California
1168:The Atlanta Journal
1143:The Atlanta Journal
1115:The Atlanta Journal
1062:The Herald and Mail
931:Laurel, Mississippi
624:Midtown High School
585:Columbia, Tennessee
576:September 28, 1906
560:ceased before 1911
320:where he installed
750:Centenary Academy
713:Marremanack School
670:Memphis, Tennessee
348:Memphis, Tennessee
1242:TKO Facebook page
1059:"Dance at C.M.A."
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269:Peaks and valleys
199:Theta Kappa Omega
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29:Theta Kappa Omega
21:Tau Kappa Epsilon
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920:Sigma Alpha
856:Theta Kappa
801:Theta Gamma
763:Delta Theta
743:Delta Gamma
607:Mississippi
513:References
447:Theta Kappa
414:Theta Gamma
406:Teke Echoes
366:Chi chapter
354:Chi chapter
164:Teke Echoes
160:Publication
107:High school
98: 2000
78:Independent
75:Affiliation
1251:Categories
1224:2023-11-09
1199:2023-11-09
1174:2023-11-09
1149:2023-11-09
1121:2023-11-09
1093:2023-11-09
1087:Sun Herald
1068:2023-11-09
1044:2023-11-09
1014:2023-11-09
983:References
820:Theta Zeta
660:Alpha Beta
426:Theta Zeta
344:Alpha Beta
154:White rose
927:Citywide
836:Theta Eta
788:Citywide
769:Citywide
747:May 1926
717:New York
666:Citywide
510:Location
430:Theta Eta
384:Expansion
342:and also
181:TKO, Teke
904:Theta Nu
888:Theta Mu
782:Delta Pi
501:Chapter
491:Chapters
455:Theta Nu
434:Theta Mu
245:Founding
178:Nickname
170:Chapters
134:Old gold
115:National
104:Emphasis
966:School.
639:Epsilon
461:Symbols
418:Zeta Nu
225:History
144:Gryphon
86:Defunct
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43:Founded
700:Canada
453:, and
432:, and
150:Flower
140:Symbol
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120:Colors
83:Status
69:Social
941:Notes
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556:Gamma
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519:Alpha
440:1960s
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129:and
65:Type
53:1872
46:1872
616:Chi
374:Chi
370:Chi
346:at
338:at
332:Chi
286:of
217:in
205:ΘΚΩ
173:44+
36:ΘΚΩ
1253::
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265:.
241:.
95:c.
201:(
55:)
23:.
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