A basement lit up by cheap multi-colored lights, filled to the brim with lively 20-year-olds around a folding table, and someone’s stolen Spotify playlist playing house music in the background. That’s what most people think of when they hear “pong.”
On Wednesday, March 26, NMU’s Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) set up their own folding table and Solo cups inside Jamrich to host the “Pong for a Cause” fundraiser, offering students and staff the opportunity to test their abilities for the chance to win a small prize.
To participate in the event a $1 donation was required, which could be provided via cash or Venmo. All proceeds went toward St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose mission is “to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.”
“It’s really a part of our bigger event, TKE Week,” said freshman TKE member Seth Buckingham. “Every day it’s something new, trying to raise as much money as we can for St. Jude.”
TKE Week is an annual event hosted by the fraternity, which, in its fundraising efforts, provides an incentive to potential donors through the various dares that TKE members carry out upon achieving their goals.
This year, dares consist of wearing a suit all day, participating in the Blazin’ Wing Challenge and even running 10.7 miles. Additionally, for every $200 raised, a member of the organization will dye their hair pink, providing a new level of motivation for contributors.
“We also have personal goals,” said Buckingham. “Like if you use our individual links to donate, our bar progresses, and we have to do a dare at each increment we get.”
At the end of the week, TKE will push a red bathtub on wheels around campus for 24 hours straight, taking no time for rest or breaks. Last year, the brotherhood was able to raise more than $800 for St. Jude through their fundraising, a number they hope to exceed this year by the time the red bathtub comes to a stop.
Tau Kappa Epsilon, with 213 active chapters across North America, offers a brotherhood-centered experience that aims to “aid men in their mental, moral, and social development for life,” according to their mission statement.
“There’s lots of stuff to do up here,” said sophomore member Sam Pecoraro. “It’s nice to have a group to do it with.”
For those who weren’t able to try their hand at pong on Wednesday, Greek Council, an amalgamation of all the Greek chapters on campus, is holding an upcoming pong tournament that any campus organization can join (dates currently unavailable).
If you are interested in learning more about TKE and/or Greek life at NMU, visit the Center for Student Enrichment to hear about the various opportunities for involvement.
