Why Join DKE?
Delta Kappa Epsilon has been at the University of Illinois for over 100 years. As one of Illinois' oldest fraternities, we honor our traditions. As one of the country's oldest fraternities, we take our history seriously. The achievements of our alumni are remarkable and diverse, ranging from J.P. Morgan's remaking of the financial world to George Steinbrenner's rebuilding of New York baseball. Dekes have walked on the moon, trekked the North Pole, and called the White House home. Yet we define ourselves and our brotherhood not by the accomplishments on our resumes but by the strength of our bonds, the diversity of our passions, and our embrace of new ideas. Dekes are known to be, broadly speaking, "gentlemen, scholars, and jolly good-fellows."
Join Delta Kappa Epsilon if you want to get more out of college. Being a Deke means leaving the University of Illinois with incredible stories, unique memories, leadership experience, valuable connections, and Brothers for life -- to name a few. We do things we've always dreamed of doing; we do things we never thought we could. We tear down walls; we open doors. With DKE, don't expect to dream small or think little.
Deke Provides Mentorship
DKE is much more than a "college years" social club; Deke is something that will be part of you for the rest of your life. The most enduring aspect of being a Deke is your connection to DKE actives and alumni. These are influential men who are established in the workforce and community: lawyers, physicians, engineers, teachers, I.T. professionals, military officers, social activists, authors, artists, professors, research scientists, entrepreneurs, and the like. These older members of DKE come back to contribute time and volunteerism to the chapter, even decades after they have finished their undergraduate studies. These are men who will help you get a job, or possibly even work with you one day. This sustained leadership and cultural memory from decades of successful men is of immeasurable value.
Dekes are Men of Impact
Dekes are a spirited lot who love to leave their mark on the world. Although our membership numbers fewer than other fraternities (DKE is considered a smaller fraternity at 85,000 members), Delta Kappa Epsilon has produced some of the most influential men in history, and our members have risen to the highest echelons of success in business, politics, science, engineering, the arts, athletics, and philanthropy. 5 Dekes have been U.S. presidents (the most of any fraternity). Dekes have been to space, have been world explorers, have fathered political parties party, been deans of law schools, and earned the Triple Gold Club membership in hockey. Dekes have planted DKE flags on the moon and at the north pole; helmed the countries of both the USA and Cuba. Dekes have founded international corporations and banks, such as Chase Manhattan, Wrigley's, Howard Johnson, Southwest Airlines, and more. Our community has produced some of the most influential and successful men of our time, and it's no mere coincidence. Our fraternity arguably has the most successful alumni history of all fraternities. If you would like to leave a mark on the world, there's definitely reason for you to consider DKE.
Deke is a Lifelong Brotherhood
It's this enduring passion and strong feeling that is the real payoff with being a fraternity man, and in particular, being a Deke. Especially if you grew up without having biological brothers: having dozens of adopted brothers is an emotionally rewarding part of life that you will not experience as a lone wolf. We do many pragmatic things at DKE. We network, we help each other get jobs, we provide career mentorship to each other. We foster professional connections. We offer a strong referral system for business development after university. We coach public speaking, democratic process, special event project management, non-profit governance. And we even help men learn to cook better. But without exception, every great Deke will tell you that their favorite part of the fraternity is the emotional reward of the relationships and the shared achievements. That sentimental, irrational, warm-fire-in-your-belly feeling of having improved someone else's life, while also having had your own life profoundly enriched by the company of adopted siblings, experiencing life as a shared adventure. Brotherly affection and emotional enrichment: this is the part of fraternity life that defies logic, and defies explanation.
