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Red Carnation Ball

Created by Kyle Abraham : City Expert

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Tau Kappa Epsilon is the largest fraternity in the United States of America, the biggest one in the world, and the only one that is international. So when the Founding Fathers of Tau Kappa Epsilon were deciding on the different images and symbols to represent them, they realized that they would need to put a lot of thought into it.

A red Carnation was picked as the flower of the fraternity because it is known as the longest surviving flower after being cut from its stem. That translates over to the fraternity by saying that we have the longest lasting fraters to stay connected after they have been "cut from the stem", or graduated from the fraternity and the college life. This is what makes the Red Carnation Ball so important.

Every year during the spring there is a ball that is held for each of the chapters of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Each frater brings a date, and the night includes a delicious dinner, dancing, music, and other festivities that may be unique to each fraternity. In the Epsilon Kappa Chapter at Loyola University of Chicago, one of the traditions is to give a "mock award" to each of the brothers. There are also other traditions, such as the Executive Board taking an official photo together in their suits, and then the whole chapter taking a picture together.

The most important part of the Red Carnation Ball is not that it is a little get together with the brothers, who bring dates and dance all night. All alumni are also invited to this dance. It is quite a site to see a freshman in college talking with a senior in college, talking with a 30 year old, talking with a 60 year old. And even though there are obviously age gaps, and the brothers and alumni may not know each other personally, everyone can quickly find many things in common to talk about. To be a brother in Tau Kappa Epsilon a hundred years ago and a brother today is not very different at all. We still value the same things, such as: Charity, Love and Esteem.

Two years ago, the 75th annual Red Carnation Ball (of our chapter) occurred and there was the biggest showing of alumni there than ever before. During this time, the chapter size was only at about thirty men, so to see over a hundred and fifty alumni, with dates, is a wonderful and exciting thing. And to see these thirty men make a hundred new friends and alumni connections, is truly a beautiful thing.

Since we are in Chicago, we always rent a luxurious hall downtown. Last year, for example, we held the Red Carnation Ball at the Allerton. We were really high up and had an amazing view of the lake, and downtown Chicago. Every year, we try a different location to mix things up. The factor that makes the Red Carnation ball so amazing is not where it's located, not what food you eat, not what music is played, but rather the fact that it is the brotherhood that always has and always will make the Red Carnation Ball a huge success. You put a hundred brothers in a room, and it doesn't even matter what is going on, it will always be a good time.

With our chapter now having the opportunity to be doubling in size by the time the next Red Carnation Ball rolls around, it should be one of the best in year.

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