What makes a good Deke?

The gentleman, the scholar, and the jolly good fellow

A member of Delta Kappa Epsilon has long been described as a gentleman, a scholar, and a jolly good fellow, but what this means to the chapter and to those outside of the chapter has been muddled over the years.

Duties of a member are to be well mannered, maintain academic excellence, and be a friendly sort.  Being well mannered in all social situations is always important, this includes the basic decency you offer to any human being, being polite to those around you, and being respectful to the ideas of those around you and your own personal ideals.  Fraternities exist as a tool for the student, and if a fraternity member is not academically orientated then is neither a  credit to himself nor his fraternity.  As for the jolly good fellow part, well—that’s pretty easy.  Fraternities also serve as a social gathering organization where the scholar can let looses of the stresses of the week on a Friday night. 

A Deke should contribute to the campus and the greater community around the University.  This includes being involved in campus activities, community service, and continuing to be a valid member of society after graduation.  Dekes are found in all walks of life, but the ties that unify Dekes are the common traits of intelligence, leadership, philanthropic behavior, and a genuine open mind.  A Deke is a credit to his family, fraternity, and college.