Memory Lane: Big Plans Flying High Inside Back

FSTORY BY DALE LONG raternity Fixer-Uppers

Rose-Hulman’s Alpha Tau Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Xi fraternities share core values of unity, respect, honor, and service. Now they also have a common purpose of expanding, improving and even moving their iconic homes to solidify their brotherhoods and chapters’ rich histories. “We all benefited in many ways from our time in the chapter and many of us firmly believe it helped form who we are today,” state ATO leaders in a newsletter to alumni this spring that announced extensive renovations to the campus’ oldest fraternity house. “This is about the renewal of a chapter to ensure we leave a lasting legacy.” The same call to action made necessary improvements to the nearby Lambda Chi Alpha chapter house and ambitious plans to move the Theta Xi chapter from a turn-of-the-century home in downtown Terre Haute to a renovated former school building that’s a little more than two miles west of campus. “We want to make the experience the best it can be to protect and embellish the life of Lambda Chi,” says Erik Jansen (EE, 1978) president of the chapter’s housing corporation. “We got so much from our fraternity experience. We’re just trying to share those experiences with our past, present and future members.”

Lambda Chi Alpha members have spent several years adding modern-day amenities to improve its chapter house. Lambda Chi Was Ready to Act Lambda Chi Alpha’s house, originally built in 1977, was in need of several modern upgrades, including a new central heating, ventilation and air conditioning system—a first for the building. When COVID-19 health restrictions left the house vacated in spring 2020, the chapter’s housing corporation took advantage of the opportunity to implement its long-awaited improvement plans. Other aspects of the project included the installation of energy-efficient light-emitting diode lighting and smoke/fire alarms in all rooms, renovating the kitchen, repainting all rooms, and replacing carpeting, furniture, mattresses, and window blinds. “It was a wonderful experience to see it all come together,” states Mike McPherron (CHE, 1979), who managed last summer’s project while being assisted by Hank Doherty (CE, 1979), Kent Salitros (CE, 1975), Darius Samz (BE, 2012), and special adviser Tom Miller. “It has been fulfilling to see actives and alumni working together to renovate our house and live our mission and values,” says McPherron. Assisting in the project was the fact that the chapter had enough in its endowment to cover all the nearly $400,000 in expenses. There also were benefits from an involved housing corporation including Ed Malone (CE, 1980), Jim Nordmeyer (CHE, 1978), Jenner Wile (SE/CPLS, 2018) and Chris Hockaden (BE, 2017).

ATO Keeping Up With Times Big things are planned for the 52-year-old ATO house, named in honor of the late chapter adviser/mentor Ronald Reeves (EE, 1958). Projects include replacing an antiquated boiler system and installing new plumbing, electrical service, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning for common meeting areas. Plans also call for adding features to the kitchen and upgrading living quarters with improved electrical service, new flooring, energy-efficient windows, and climate controls. All rooms will get a fresh coat of paint.

Theta Xi is planning to convert a former school house that's two miles west of campus into the chapter's new home. The architectural rendering showcases the project's plans. Alpha Tau Omega has several plans underway to improve the campus' oldest fraternity house, including a new contemporary entranceway.

In addition, digital services and new functionally designed study rooms will be made available in each of the building’s two wings, supporting virtual learning and increased technology bandwidth requirements. There also will be a new, contemporary and attractive entranceway, with an accessibility-compliant elevator, along with enhanced landscaping and symbols. “[Rose-Hulman] has been doing an exceptional job keeping the campus up to date, able to meet the needs of students, and a beautiful, welcoming home for four years,” says longtime chapter member Bob Pease (CHE, 1980). “Honestly, fraternity row and the houses in town have not kept pace. Those of us working on the fraternity campaigns not only wanted to make our second homes a more attractive and fit- for-purpose home for today’s students, but also consistent with the overall quality of the school and campus.” The chapter’s current $3 million capital campaign will cover the planned house improvements and provide funds to establish a housing maintenance endowment, while supporting better alumni relations efforts to increase alumni chapter involvement. Joining Pease in organizing ATO’s project have been Rob Banerjee (ME, 1978), Bill Daugherty (CE, 1987), Chuck Sigman (CHE, 1980), Rick Stanley (ME, 1978), Bruce Ungethiem (ME, 1977), and J.P. Williams (ME, 1999).

Theta Xi Planning Big Move Theta Xi alumni will be undertaking the most ambitious of these fraternity projects. The Kappa chapter is in the process of 21-010 / ROSE HULMAN ATO / 08 MAR 21 planning to renovate a large building at 231 Blakely Avenue, near Terre Haute’s Heritage Trail, and then moving from its roots at the southeast corner of South Sixth and Park streets. Members have lived in the house since 1954, but have simply outgrown its amenities, including five bedrooms, one full bathroom and two additional half bathrooms. “It has likely reached the end of its useful life as a fraternity house,” assesses chapter alumni leader Jeff Papa (ECON, 1993), who is leading the project’s fundraising efforts. “It could be a beautiful restoration project in a wonderful neighborhood for another party but, even fully restored, it simply would not meet the modern-day needs of a fraternity. It is also, of course, quite far from campus (nearly seven miles).” A rehabilitation project will convert three floors of the former elementary school into space to house members in single and double rooms, with a kitchen, dining room, chapter meeting room, study lounge, and plenty of storage space. “It’s an ideal location for us and will help ensure that Theta Xi will grow and prosper as a campus chapter,” says Zac Chambers (ME, 1994), the chapter’s housing corporation executive. “We have a long way to go, with lots of fundraising (covering estimated $1.2 million preliminary costs) and planning. But we’ve already purchased the building and are now examining the project’s endless possibilities. We’re excited to get to work.” n

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PARTING SHOT

TAKING ROSE (AND ROSIE) TO NEW HEIGHTS Seth Knoll (CE, 2018) showcased his Rose pride by flying a school flag on top of a 312-foot-tall wind turbine being installed near Lyford, Texas. He was the lead engineer on Infrastructure and Energy’s Big Ray Wind Farm project, consisting of 200 towers that will generate 440 megawatts of clean energy to the power grid for nearly 400,000 homes in the region and beyond.