Tau Kappa Epsilon is the proud recipient of this year’s President’s Award for Fraternal Excellence from the University of Southern California. Congratulations to the leadership of the house and especially the current and past Presidents. At left is Joe Mallick, President 2013-2014 and at right is Nico Stillman. President 2014-2015.
That’s 17 new initiates and one proud Hegemon. From left to right: Luke O’Conor, Alec Hursh, Hudson Barineau, Michael Thorson, Nelson Thomas, Pedro Alves, Daniel Febres-Cordero, Danny Ochoa, Hegemon Daniel Adebiye, Keenan Salvati, McAuley Evans, Naish Gaubatz, Arjun Dundoo, Cannon Karns, Charlie Boomier, Rocco Signore, Evan Talbert, John Andrews
The Fall 2014 pledge class made it. They are now members and a new Spring pledge class is right around the corner. Congratulations guys.
On November 13, 2014 the Beta-Sigma Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity was proud to host a very special event. Our Grand Prytanis, Bob Barr visited the TKE Houses at USC for the first time since he was an undergraduate member. The Grand Council, CEO Donnie Aldrich, Headquarters Staff, and TKE Educational Foundation were all in attendance. After a reception at the TKE House, Bob Barr led the group including active members, alumni, and parents to the TKETent Tailgate. A great time was had by all.
During Frater Barr’s visit to the Beta-Sigma Chapter Houses, the undergraduate members asked him to pose for a photo in front of the fire place. It just so happens that this is the exact spot where Frater Ronald Reagan stood in 1964 to film a Rush Video for TKE. A framed photo of Frater Reagan hangs in the very place that his picture was taken many years ago. And now we have a photo of Frater Barr in the very same place next to the photo of Frater Reagan. Two great men in one historic house.
Dear Fraters,
We are sorry to report that Tawan Martinez, 37, died Thursday, October 30, 2014 in his home in Long Beach, California. Tawan had been diagnosed with brain cancer sixteen months earlier, and his difficult journey inspired his many loyal friends and loving family members to live every day to the fullest.
Frater Tawan (Beta-Sigma PIN #960) joined TKE in the Fall of 1995 and graduated USC with a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a double minor in Fine Arts and Business. He had a huge heart and an amazingly bright spirit. Countless people have said with sincerity that Tawan was the nicest man they had ever met. He is survived by his wife Nicole Marie Federico Martinez and son Valen Wakan James Martinez.
There will be a celebration of Tawan’s life on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Torrance Beach from 2-5pm. Please dress casual & colorful and bring a beach towel or beach chair. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his young son Valen’s educational fund. Donations to Valen Martinez / memo -- Franklin Templeton 529 Account may be mailed to USC Credit Union Attn: Tom Tan, 3720 South Flower Street 1st Floor Los Angeles, CA 90089. Tawan’s family has entrusted his care to the White & Day/Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503, 310-792-7599.
From left to right: Tawan Martinez, Bobby Falar, Matt Beshear, Matt Hanson, and Richard Balue
TKE West at Night
This summer the critical life safety features and systems of TKE West were upgraded. Improvements include a fire sprinkler system throughout the property, a fire alarm, kitchen fire suppression system over the stove, new smoke detectors, emergency lighting, upgraded electrical panels, and rewiring. In addition to the important upgrades, we were also fortunate enough to add air conditioning and heat in every room. The shot above shows off the new LED exterior lighting.
“Don’t forget to do something for others.”
Marc Benioff first recalled hearing those life-changing words spoken from a spiritual guru in India. Decades later, he passed that wisdom on to graduates at USC’s 131st commencement on May 16.
Benioff, the CEO of San Francisco-based Salesforce.com, has been lauded not only as a pioneer in cloud computing and one of the country’s most respected CEOs, but also for his 1-1-1 plan, in which he took the Indian spiritual guru’s words to heart. His company operates under a policy that donates one percent of product, one percent of equity and one percent of employee hours back to the communities it serves.
“The real joy in life comes from giving, from service, from doing things for other people,” Benioff told the more than 40,000 graduates, families and friends gathered in Alumni Park. “Nothing will make you happier than giving.”
Watch the entire speech here. Listen to the TKE House shout-out here.
Mark R. Benioff, chairman and CEO of Salesforce.com was named to the USC Board of Trustees in Feburauary 2011 and is serving a five-year term, overseeing all major university decisions.
Benioff, an ’86 alumnus and member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, has worked in the technology industry since high school.
Marc Benioff, Beta-Sigma TKE #730, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Salesforce.com
