new national fraternity of Tau Kappa Epsilon convened on February 17, 1909. Expansion In 1909, approached the Chi Rho Sigma Fraternity at Millikin University. There were no national fraternities at Millikin at this time, and had just established its intentions to become a national fraternity. Representatives from presented their case, and after thorough consideration, Chi Rho Sigma voted to accept 's offer. On April 17, 1909, Chi Rho Sigma was installed as the Beta Chapter of . In November 1911, the Beta Rho Delta Fraternity was founded at the University of Illinois. ΒΡΔ petitioned Tau Kappa Epsilon in January 1912, and they were installed as the Gamma Chapter of on February 3, 1912. Following the installation of the Gamma Chapter, The Teke magazine noted that the triangle was completed. The geographic location of 's first three chapters form a perfect equilateral triangle. The equilateral triangle was at that time, and continues to be, the primary symbol of Tau Kappa Epsilon. The national fraternity Sigma Mu Sigma merged with in March 1935. The merger resulted in the new Alpha-Pi Chapter of at George Washington University and additional members for the Gamma Chapter at the University of Illinois and the Alpha-Zeta Chapter at Purdue University. Prior to 1939, chapters were installed after local fraternities petitioned for approval. In 1939, a colonization process was established to promote expansion and to ensure that potential chapters met all necessary requirements prior to installation. The first two colonies were the Eta Colony at the University of Kansas and the Chi Beta Colony at the University of Missouri. Tau Kappa Epsilon expanded for the first time into the Deep South region of the United States in 1946. This expansion was made possible when Alpha Lambda Tau, a small predominantly Southern national fraternity, announced its dissolution. Five of Alpha Lambda Tau's eight active chapters affiliated with , resulting in new chapters at the University of Maryland, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, and Tri-State College. Presidential recognition On January 20, 1981, Tau Kappa Epsilon member Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States. Reagan joined at the Iota Chapter at Eureka College in 1929. Through his time as President of the United States, Reagan remained actively involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon. In 1983, President Reagan created the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award to recognize selected student members of that have demonstrated