DELTA PHI The Path Forward Campaign | Spring 2022
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Brothers: Our suspension was painful, no doubt about it. Returning to The Hill is a Herculean effort, but we are up to the task. We are Delta Phi. Regaining recognition isn’t just about staying at Cornell. It’s about reinventing ourselves. What happened to us and other fraternities told us change is needed. Our traditions are not static. Some of you remember wearing coat and tie to dinner. When a new generation arrived with new standards, we left coat and tie behind. Young men matriculating at Cornell today are looking for something different in fraternity life. We have an opportunity to bring the Pi chapter into the 21st century while keeping the essence of the Delta Phi brotherhood. Like you, my time at Llenroc played a major role in my formative years. I remember organizing a charity concert in our backyard with two sororities featuring a rock group with chart hits. We called it “Llawnroc”. Everyone had a great time and thousands of dollars were raised for Amnesty International. I learned about permit-
ting, insurance, contract negotiation, city-college relations, leadership, project management, and so much more. Delta Phi gave me an education I couldn’t get in the classroom. I am writing to ask for your support. As we navigate the process to repopulate the house, Llenroc will be under capacity. However, expenses like property taxes, lawn care, and utilities continue. Your Board of Trustees has also formed a plan to bring Delta Phi back to prominence on campus. As you decide how much to donate, think of today’s need and the future’s call. But also remember what Llenroc and Delta Phi meant to you during your years in Ithaca and the friendships you made at 100 Cornell Avenue. The Executive Board is dedicated to keeping Pi chapter at Cornell and Llenroc in our possession. We thank you in advance for your generosity. Yours in the Bond,
Derek Edinger, Π’91 President, Cornell Delta Phi Association
Delta Phi Fraternity at Cornell University | Alumni Relations Office | P.O. Box 876 | Ithaca, NY 14851
DELTA PHI What Happened? When we lost recognition in 2018, it was hard to imagine Cornell without Delta Phi. Pi Chapter has been on The Hill since 1891. We have been faithful stewards of Llenroc since 1911. Brothers have sat on Cornell’s Board of Trustees. Cornell without Delta Phi? Incomprehensible. We decided to make changes so we could return to campus. We dubbed our effort the Path Forward Initiative. We embraced a culture of change and started at the “top”. We recruited new alumni officers, added new and passionate members to our Board of Trustees and embarked on much
needed work to define “Who We Want to Be” as an organization. We organized working committees, strengthened our communication with the broader alumni and opened channels of communication with Cornell’s administration. We made the decision to close our house for a year to undertake much needed renovations but to also signify a “clean restart” when we returned. Our hard work paid off. We submitted our application for recognition in September 2021 and received recognition on October 6 2021. We’re headed back on The Hill.
New & Improved There is still work to be done. The atmosphere on campus has changed. Fraternities have an image problem. Fewer young men come to Cornell expecting to join. We must make Delta Phi appealing to today’s young men. New traditions and standards are called for. We need a fraternity that builds fraternal bonds, like the ones we all cherish, with a new set of tools. At the same time, we’re using the gap in Llenroc’s occupancy to launch a series of renovation projects which are estimated to cost $1million. We will address both structural and aesthetic needs so that we preserve Llenroc for
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DELTA PHI FRATERNITY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY
future generations. We are fortunate to have the Llenroc Foundation to support these efforts. When we restart Pi Chapter, we’ll have a revitalized house for a revitalized brotherhood. There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Naturally, we can’t achieve our goals without funds. Now is the time to dig deep. There are two immediate needs. The Association needs $160,000 to cover the ongoing expenses of Llenroc like property taxes, utilities, and lawn maintenance while we experience reduced occupancy. The Educational Fund needs
The Path Forward Campaign
$150,000 to boost its endowment. Why? Because the University requires a resident advisor, and their salary must be paid. Using an endowment relieves us of the need to raise funds every year to cover the expense. The Association also needs funds to build Delta Phi into the model of an ideal fraternity at Cornell. The Board of Trustees has created a strategic plan that calls for amenity upgrades, reserve funds, and expanding programming. These needs require a total of $650,000. We are a small fraternity. We have just under a thousand alumni, but only 300 are needed to step up to the plate. Are you one of the 300?
You’ve Got Some Decisions To Make You have a couple choices when you make your donation. The Educational Fund is a tax-exempt private foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax deductible under section 170 of the code. This may affect how much you give and when you give. The Association has the greater need in the short term. Someone must pay the bills while Llenroc experiences low occupancy. A donation to the Association is not tax deductible, but we hope you’ll still consider it.
If you decide to give less than $2,000, you can donate via www.llenroc.org using your credit or debit card. Please add 3% to your donation amount to cover the credit card transaction fee. Your donation will go further! You have the choice to spread your donation over one, three, or five years. We also encourage brothers to band together to give as a group. You’ll hear more about your options when we contact you or you can contact Steve Durham, Π’74, Chair of the Path Forward Fundraising Campaign today at sdurham66@yahoo.com.
So, What Do You Say? Ready to do your part to keep Pi Chapter at Cornell? We need to shore up our finances and create the future. Young men on The Hill deserve a real choice among fraternities. So, they can enjoy life-long bonds of friendship. So, they can learn what it means to be True & Firm. We are determined. We are Delta Phi.
THE PATH FORWARD CAMPAIGN
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The Path Forward Campaign We are Brothers, True and Firm
We hope you’re excited about the future of The Delta Phi at Cornell. It’s a new day and a new way. If you have any questions, please reach out to any of us.
DEREK EDINGER
IAN WRIGHT
President, Board of Trustees
Chair, Delta Phi Reinvention Committe
edingerdj72@gmail.com
JOHN HORVATIS Vice President, Board of Trustees
STEVE DURHAM
jphorvatis@gmail.com
sdurham66@yahoo.com
ALEX LATELLA
JOHN HORVATIS
Chair, Renovations Committee Treasurer, Board of Trustees
Chair, Repopulation Committee
alex.latella@gmail.com
ALEX FRANCO
Alumni communication services provided by
ian_wright@outlook.com Chair, Fundraising Committee
jphorvatis@gmail.com
MARC HERNANDEZ
Secretary, Board of Trustees
Liaison, Donations over $5,000
af5489@outloo.com
marc@hern555.com
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