On Oct. 1, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) hosted its annual “Pie-A-Teke” fundraiser, a lighthearted event that turned whipped cream chaos into more than $600 in donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., students lined up on the NMU Academic Mall, clutching plates piled high with whipped cream and grinning at the chance to launch one at a willing target. Laughter and cheers echoed across the lawn as fraternity members took one pie after another with good-natured pride. 

“TKE as a whole is a social fraternity that focuses on brotherhood and philanthropy,” President Jack Martin said. “We host Pie-A-Teke for St. Jude every year because it both engages the campus and pokes fun at the fact that fraternities are not the most loved groups on college campuses.” 

Martin added that the willingness to laugh at themselves is part of what makes the fundraiser special.

“Letting people smack us with pies is worth it for us because 100% of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a charity founded by a member of TKE,” he said.

This year’s event, he noted, was especially meaningful, as the chapter doubled last year’s total and raised over $600 for the cause. Students who stopped by for a quick throw said the event’s silly premise was exactly what made it memorable.

“It’s just such a fun way to blow off steam and do some good at the same time,” said student Abbey Kruger. 

The messy fun also carried deeper meaning. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has long been the national philanthropy recipient of Tau Kappa Epsilon, and events like Pie-A-Teke keep that mission alive at the local level. With whipped cream flying and laughter filling the air, students were reminded that charity does not always have to be serious to be impactful. 

What made this year stand out, organizers said, was the level of enthusiasm. Between rounds, music played and onlookers snapped photos for social media, helping the event gain attention beyond campus. For many, it was not just about giving—it was also about creating a shared college memory. 

As the last plates were scraped clean and the final pies landed, fraternity members wiped their faces and left feeling proud of what they had accomplished. While $600 may not seem like a huge number in the world of fundraising, it represents a huge leap forward for the chapter and a real contribution to children’s cancer research.