Omicron Unveils Rebuilt Chapter House at the University of Missouri

Established in 1910 and having inhabited its previous structure since 1922, Omicron-Missouri has long been ready for a new residence. As of August 2022 — 100 years since the previous building first broke ground — residents now have a completely new chapter house to call home.

According to Liz Underwood Drouin (Omicron-Missouri, ’99), HCB VP of Development, the chapter had simply outgrown its old house and annex. Between these two previous properties, Omicron could house close to the number women needed, but there was no gathering space in the house to comfortably bring together all in-house women, let alone the full chapter, whose membership now hovers around 275.

“Without this ability, the sorority experience had evolved to be fundamentally different than that of previous generations,” Drouin said. “Chapter meetings, sisterhood events, moms and dads weekend events and even initiation had to happen in rented, much more public spaces in on and off-campus buildings.”

This issue wasn’t unique to Alpha Phi on the Mizzou campus, of course. Other chapters on campus naturally faced these same challenges of space within the chapter houses, and most have either completed full rebuilds or major expansions and renovations within the last 10 years or so.

“Not only did we need a new building to allow our sisterhood to flourish, but we had to do something to remain competitive at Mizzou,” Drouin said.

Despite supply chain issues and delays due to COVID-19, the entre rebuild was completed within just 14 months.

“We broke ground by tearing down the old house in June 2021, and the new home was given its occupancy permit on August 5, 2022 — one day before the women moved into the house to start Polish Week activities,” Drouin said.

Drouin pointed out that it’s important to note that building the house and getting the women moved into it in time for recruitment this past fall was of utmost importance.

“That was Phase 1 of this enormous project,” Drouin said. “We are now in the thick of Phase 2, which includes continuing to furnish and decorate the house, planning for the basement and figuring out how to operate a home that is nearly three times as large as the old house.”

As an example of Phase 2, Omicron is working with Julie Walberg Riggin, a professional designer based out of Colorado Springs and an '01 Omicron alumna. She is donating her services to further develop the interior design and source furnishings that will continue to bring warmth and a modern touch to our new home.

“We recognized that finishing the basement as part of Phase 2 has a clear silver-lining,” Drouin said. “Not only can we fine tune the plans after witnessing how the students use the current space, but we can take their direct input to affect the design and space plan.”

Drouin describes this experience with Omicron’s chapter house rebuild from the ground up as “surreal, yet inevitable.”

“For decades, the volunteer leadership of HCB and the chapter have had this dream of a new or totally remodeled house as our North Star,” Drouin said. “That dream is now a reality.”

This project was funded by three sources — Hawthorn Bank (local Columbia bank), the Alpha Phi and through the generous donations of Omicrons and our friends. And without the latter, this project simply wasn’t possible, according to Drouin.

“For decades, we have understood the importance of buildi ng relationships with our alumnae, as we knew we’d have to call upon them in a big way one day,” Drouin said. “The day finally came, and boy did they come through! To date, we have raised nearly $1.7 million, surpassing our goal of $1.5 million. And the campaign is not over.”

The event that made the new home possible, though, was the adjacent property to the old house going up for sale. Within 24 hours of the property going on the market, HCB made an offer, and it was accepted, breaking the “land lock” that Omicron was in and making a new, larger home possible.

It’s no secret that alumnae like Drouin are thrilled with the remodel, but how do collegians feel about their new digs? According to Drouin, they love it.

“The big, open, modern spaces, the sun deck, the space to do crafts and gather with their sisters … they love it all,” Drouin said. “The main floor really has become the hub of all chapter activity, and the chapter is using the spaces as we envisioned. The main floor is being used for everything — to study, eat, socialize, have friends over and more.

The second and third floor study rooms are more private and have been widely used for study groups. The Executive team has their meetings in those spaces, as well. Additionally, the chapter no longer has to go out to the library to study or rent space for meetings.

“We built it, and they came to use it just like we thought they would,” Drouin said.

In addition to Drouin, the architects and construction teams, additional key players in this rebuild of the Omicron house include: Amy Jordan Tvrdik (the current HCB President), Valerie Lawlor (Campaign tri-chair and long time — unofficial — alumnae relations strategist), Cherie Stephens Bock (the most recent past HCB President). Nancy Niemann Magee (the Rebuild Project Manager), Mary Jo Williams Hippe and Cathy McCrady Heinsohn (other tri-chairs of the campaign).

Congratulations to everyone involved in this project and the Omicron chapter on this beautiful chapter house remodel!