Tau Kappa Epsilon – Mu Lambda Chapter takes 1st place in Winter Carnival 2024 Men’s Month long statue division! This year’s theme was “From Forests to Shores We Love the Outdoors” organized by the Michigan Technological University Blue Key National Honor Society. This years elected statue chair was Casey Lentowich (K610) and Tyler DeCeuninck (665).

“The lighthouse shines the way as the Ranger heads for bay” by Tau Kappa Epsilon. As seasons come and go in the Keweenaw. The Ranger III returns from daily voyage passing a person in a canoe while the lighthouse shines the way. A small cabin sits on the coast as a snowmobile waits just outside . A moose lays on shore taking a rest.

As described by member Robert Reginelli (659) “Once the chapter heard this years theme; we immediately knew we had to reflect the beauty of the Upper Peninsula.” Inspiration was taken from Keweenaw attractions that both fit this years theme and the history of Tau Kappa Epsilon – Mu Lambda Chapter. One of the first recorded photos from the TKE chapter in 1969 was the membership aboard the National Parks Service (NPS) Ranger III Passenger Ferry that travels between Houghton, Michigan and Isle Royale. Likewise the memories and camaraderie built in the presence of the Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entry Light located near “White City Beach” in Torch Lake Township, Michigan.

This years statue was one of the most difficult endeavors as month long statue building was delayed by two weeks. In past years month long statues were allotted between four and five weeks for building; this year it was reduced to three weeks. Tau Kappa Epsilon (Tekes) embraced this new challenge and generated unique methods, processes, and designs to accommodate these circumstances. The most challenging part of this statue build was timing the building process and predicting what additional resources would need to be reworked the statue after the sun melted large portions. Even getting snow from “Top Secret” sources through out Houghton and Hancock proved difficult; at these levels of competition snow quality can be the difference between 1st and 2nd place.

Only at Michigan Tech — grab your shovel, slush gloves and ice machete. Be part of a Husky tradition. Huge and intricate snow statues are the highlight of MTU’s Winter Carnival. Month-long statue building with Tau Kappa Epsilon shows you how it’s done.

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