Theta Kappa Omega (), also known by its nicknames TKO or "Teke", was a social Secondary Fraternities for high school–aged men founded in 1872 at California Military Academy in Mayfield, California. The fraternity established local chapters in towns and cities across the United States. The chapters were run by a chapter president, known as the Grand Master, and other elected officers. The national fraternity was governed by an elected body of alumni known as the Grand Council. National conventions were held annually.
History
The history of Theta Kappa Omega Fraternity between 1872 and 1926 is very vague. During that period, the national headquarters were in the hands of Alpha, the oldest chapter. In 1899, all records were destroyed by a fire at Alpha, located at California Military Academy.
Founding
On November 13, 1872, three young men decided to meet to discuss the problem of one of their comrades. This fourth friend was of high moral character and was endowed with great intelligence. Although so blessed, he had little wealth and planned to soon discontinue his education since he could no longer pay all of his school expenses. That night, three young men pledged to each other that they would pay the expenses of their comrade to enable him to continue his higher education.
In 1875, this beloved young friend graduated from the California academy, after having received help from his three companions for the past three years. He had decided that such unselfish, brotherly acts should continue, not ending with himself. He felt his friends' deed should be recognized; that young men of the future should endeavor to follow in their footsteps. To show his gratitude, and in an effort to insure the brotherly love and help should be extended to all deserving students, he organized an undergraduate group into a fraternity to continue in the first group's tradition. He selected the name of Theta Kappa Omega. This first chapter, Alpha Chapter of California Military Academy, was located in Mayfield, California.
Peaks and valleys
T.K.O. was at a peak between 1885 and 1905, but during the period 1915 through 1924, the lack of organization, poor leadership, and strict rules prevented any secret organization from expanding. There was, however, one installation - Beta Chapter, and when the California Military Academy ruled against fraternities, Alpha Chapter was dissolved, and Beta Chapter took over the national leadership. Beta's fate - a school ruling against fraternities - as Alpha's, made disbandment necessary, and finally Delta Chapter of Columbia Military Academy became the official national headquarters. All history concerning Beta and a subsequent chapter, Gamma, has been hopelessly lost. However, it is noted that Gamma Chapter ceased to exist before 1911.
From past records, it is noted that on September 28, 1906, Charles Shamotulski and Carl T. McPheeters founded Delta Chapter at Columbia Military Academy. Between 1906 and 1911, little is known about the chapter. In 1911, William H. Riley was Grand Master of Delta, and therefore, the National President. The following year he transferred to Gulf Coast Military Academy where he installed Zeta Chapter in October, the first fraternity in that school.
Delta Chapter is responsible for the installation of Chi and Epsilon Chapters at Atlanta, Georgia and also Alpha Beta at Memphis, Tennessee. These chapters were formed in a city rather than a school, an innovation for T.K.O., selecting outstanding boys of a town rather than the usual military boarding school.
Chi Chapter was formerly Delta Tau Sigma Fraternity, a local, which was organized February 24, 1923. Immediately following their petition to Delta Chapter, H. Grayson Lambert, Jr., Delta Chapter Grand Master, and G. O. Melchor installed them into the bonds of T.K.O. The first Grand Master of Chi Chapter was Frank M. Boston. The other officers were Charles C. Romines, Master; Henry Brookour, Corresponding Secretary; John D. Grand, Sergeant-at- Arms. Bryant Shelnutt, the Grand Master in 1925-1926, was a charter member. Chi Chapter was admitted into the Pan Hellenic Council of Boy's High School soon after it became a chapter. Shortly after Chi Chapter was installed in Atlanta, Georgia, Epsilon Chapter was also founded there. This was the first time there existed two chapters of T.K.O in the same city.