The Theta Nu Epsilon Society.

The Alpha Epsilon Chapter at the University of South Dakota.

The Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon was legitimate, founded in 1915 by the Smull National, and was considered a replacement for another Alpha Epsilon at the University of Colorado.

A brief history of the Alpha Epsilon Chapter was written by Cedric Cummins in The University of South Dakota, 1862 - 1966. “Theta Nu Epsilon [was] founded earlier at [Wesleyan] University and [was] characterized by a closely guarded secret membership. An Alpha Epsilon chapter had been established locally in about 1917, [incorrect, the correct date is 1915], followed by inactivity during the war and a pronounced surge in the early Twenties that reached a membership of twenty-five. It declined after 1925, when the most bitterly disputed student election of the decade split rhe organization. Composed of leading fraternity members, T.N.E.’s principal activities were social and student politics, electing four or five student body presidents (was it that influential or were these the kind of men it invited to join?). ‘Strictly prohibited’ by the University because of its secret membership, determinedly opposed by Slagel, [University President Robert L. Slagle, 1906-1914] ...it was regarded by the local students with a mixture of criticism, envy, and curiosity.”

Important research contributions to this article were made by John B. Kendrick.

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