Philanthropy

2008

From TKE National Headquarters

Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity has adopted the Alzheimer's Association as an official TKE philanthropy, partnering with the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute that was established in 1995, one year after Frater Reagan announced to the world that he had Alzheimer's. The Fraternity has committed to raising $240,000 for the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute. As of June 30, 2008, we have contributed $277,795.04 to the Institute.

2005-2006

"TEKE IN A BOX" - March 31-April 1, 2006

West-Side Wal-Mart

2004-2005

Nu-Lambda Chapter

University of Southern Indiana

On September 17 and 19, 2004, the Nu-Lambda Chapter was roughing it once again — spending the night outdoors. The Tekes were out in full force, spending 45 hours in their temporary fraternity houses — a set of cardboard boxes. They spent the night at the Evansville - Westside Wal-Mart, all the while collecting money at the door from thankful customers. The Tekes at University of Southern Indiana enjoy this event, which they have deemed "Teke-in- a-Box" so much, they are considering doing it each semester. Last year the chapter raised $2,179 for the Alzheimer's Association in honor of President Ronald Reagan; a former member of Tau Kappa Epsilon from Eureka College. This year the Teke's beat their own record from last year, with $2,760 dollars in a 45-hour time period, in honor of President Reagan, and $600 on a separate occasion for the Alzheimer's Annual Memory Walk. That $600 being put into the local community.

From TKE National Headquarters

Former President Ronald Reagan’s college fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, has announced plans to raise $240,000 over the next three years to benefit Alzheimer research.

The fraternity has established a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to donate its fund-raising proceeds to the association’s Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, established by the Reagans to advance research into the disease. Started in 1995, the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute funds cutting-edge Alzheimer research. The institute to date has attracted $1 million in funding for research.

The fraternity will donate money for Alzheimer research as a tribute to President Reagan, who in 1994 announced he had the disease. “President Reagan lived the mission of TKE by contributing to the advancement of society,” said Kevin Mayeux, CEO of Tau Kappa Epsilon. “Now, in honor of President Reagan, all TKE members have an opportunity to aid in eradicating this disease.”

Today 4 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. Without a research breakthrough, by 2050 that figure could exceed 14 million.

“If we don’t arrest and prevent this disease, we’ll bankrupt healthcare systems, we’ll wreck families and we’ll doom generations to a future that is very bleak,” said Stephen McConnell, interim president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Research is the first step, and it can’t be taken without funding. We thank Tau Kappa Epsilon for their generosity; their hard work will help lessen the likelihood that future generations will have to endure this disease.”

The Alzheimer’s Association is working tirelessly to ensure that the nation harness its resources, both public and private, to conquer Alzheimer’s disease, much as it has mobilized against cancer, heart disease and AIDS. The association has urged Congress to increase federal funding of Alzheimer research from its current level of $598 million a year to $1 billion annually by 2004.