Our Local History
Stately Westbourne ManorThe Scorpion TKE story began in the year 1907 when Kappa Psi Fraternity was founded. The fraternity flourished for many years and on May 24th, 1923 affiliatated with Tau Kappa Epsilon as the Sigma Chapter. During the same time in history, Scorpion Fraternity was founded in 1914 by Walter G. Seeley. In the chaotic years that was the great depression, Sigma Chapter of TKE disbanded. In 1940, TKE returned to Cornell in the form of Scorpion TKE, a merger of Scorpion Fraternity and Sigma Chapter of TKE. Finally, in 1941, Sigma Phi Sigma Fraternity also merged with Scorpion TKE.
Folklore
As told by Ezekiel Knispel, son of Haran, daughter of Zidonias and Nehemiah Schellenbarger, half-cousin of Zadok, son of Hank and Bev.
AND LO, it came to pass that in the sacred year 1907 the Lord lifted up his countenance upon a group of nine Cornell students, and said, "Men, ye have been chosen amongst many to proclaim the coming of my cherished abode." It was decreed that these students should band together in one common bond, and thus began Kappa Psi Fraternity at Cornell.
AND LO, the goodly fraters longed for a permanent lodge. They searched HI and LO, AND LO in the year 1912 they took refuge at 200 Willard Way where they flourished and multiplied for years to follow.
AND LO, learning from the Lord again, the Kappa Psi brothers sought to be affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon National Fraternity. And so in 1923, the Lord deemed it proper to recognize Kappa Psi as the Sigma Chapter of TKE.
AND LO, Sigma Chapter bore the fruit of its predecessors.
BUT LO AND BEHOLD, the devil reared its ugly head to tempt the pious Tekes. The Lord, enraged, sought to purify all who groveled in avarice. In 1936, the Lord brought down a vengeful plague and smote all transgressors, including Sigma TKE. Thus, the chosen Tekes were forced not to die, but only to lie dormant.
AND LO, in those early days there were other goodly people who sought refuge under one roof in the bond of brotherhood. And the Lord lifted his countenance upon Walter G. Seeley, and said,"Walter, ye have been chosen amongst many to proclaim the coming of my cherished abode (snicker, snicker)." Thus, on Sunday, April 26, 1914, at 3:00 PM, Scorpion Fraternity was born. Like their peers at Kappa Psi, they were also under the Lord's good favor, and in 1916, Scorpion took refuge at 320 Wait Avenue.
AND LO, in the year 1927, provided with the Lord's shining star, they left their old abode took solace in the peace and tranquillity of stately Westbourne Manor.
AND LO, with a multitude of heavenly hosts proclaiming its transfiguration, TKE returned to the hallowed Ivy Walls of East Hill in the year of 1940, in the guise of Scorpion TKE. One year later, in 1941, the goodly brothers of the local Sigma Phi Sigma entered into the kingdom of TKE, and sitteth at the right hand of the prophet Walter G. Seeley.
BUT LO, this union was once again forced to lie dormant as the Winds of War swept across the nations.
ANYWAY LO, in 1946, tidings of great joy resounded throughout the Cosmos. And the Lord looked down on the restored brotherhood, and He was pleased. The Lord spaketh, "Ye have done well, my brothers (the Lord was a Kappa Psi in '09)." And lo, on the next day he rested.
