Tennessee Kappa was founded June 18, 1879, brought by SAE's John E.D. Shipp (Alabama Alpha-Mu) and Joseph W. Horton (Tennessee Lambda). The six founding members were Alexander McMillian, Sterling P. Anderson, Frank Colville, Ellis R. Reese, J.R. Coleman and William H. Dick. Soon afterward, the chapter became inactive. The Chapter became reestablished from the efforts of Harry Bunting (Tennessee Zeta) and Robert McCallie. Bunting and McCallie found eight men and then the chapter was officially reestablished. After WW1 the chapter had a record 159 actives and initiated another 56 to achieve 215 members.
Tennessee Kappa's presence at the University of Tennessee includes: two dozen members of Scarabbean Senior Society, two Torchbearers, multiple Tennessee athletes in football, basketball, baseball, and track, and several offices representing all facets of student life on Rocky Top. Tennessee Kappa are original contributors to the SAE songbook (1907), also original participants at the SAE leadership school which was the first of its kind in the Greek organizations. Today Tennessee Kappa has over 3000 initiates.
Distinguished TN Kappa
Joseph W. Walt (TN Kappa, 1946): Historian, author, publisher and teacher of SAE history
John O. Mosley: Dean of Students at the University of Tennessee and founder of the SAE leadership school
Jim Dement (TN Kappa, 1973): Former SC Senator; President of the Heritage Foundation
Andrew Werner: One of the founders of Handicap Awareness Week
Deana Carter: TN Kappa Little Sister and recording artist.
James Denton (TN Kappa, 1983): Actor
Richmond Flowers (TN Kappa, 1966): Former NFL athlete, UT All American in track
Dane Scism: Founder of Cellular Sales which is the largest Verizon retail dealer in the world
Jim Loy: Distinguished Service Award Recipient,
Dick Koela: Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Chapter Advisor,
Awards
Multiple time recipient of the Chapter Achievement Award, Outstanding Eminent Archon Award, Outstanding Eminent Treasurer Award, Order of the Phoenix, Order of the Lion, Order of Minerva, and numerous T.H.E (The Highest Effort) Award for excellence in various political and academic achievements
"Tennessee Kappa is the brightest jewel in Minverva's crown" - John O. Mosely
Current and Former Housing
1902-1903: 1501 West Cumberland Avenue – located on the site of today’s College of Law.
1904-1908: No House
1909: 1714 West Hill Avenue – located on the site of today’s Maplehurst Park
1910: 1007 Circle Park – on the West entrance corner of current Circle Park and Volunteer
1911-1912: 703 7th Street – an area down in the World’s Fair Park
1914-1917: 1410 West Clinch Avenue – today a parking lot behind Senter Hall
1918-1919: 1605 Laurel Avenue – home of Laurel Residence Hall
1920: 1528 Highland Ave – the house still exists
1921 – 1926: 709 West Hill Avenue – a parking lot for Church Street United Methodist.
1927 – 1938: 1643 West Cumberland Avenue – on the corner of 17th and Cumberland at the site of Frank G. Clement Hall (named after the Tennessee Governor and TN Λ alumnus).
1939 – 1942: 1712 Cornell Avenue – the street rans approximately from AΓR, down Fraternity Park Drive, through ΣN, behind ΠKA and ΣX, through the courtyard at 1808 onto Fraternity Park Drive through the practice football practice facility onto Lake Loudon Blvd.
1943 – 1966: 938 South Seventeenth Street – Located next to the Art and Architecture Building across from current day Lake Loudon Blvd and Volunteer.
1966 – Present: 1808 Fraternity Park Drive