Friday, March 6, 2009
Eight years after plans for renovations to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house began, the project has finally been completed.
The newly expanded and remodeled Sigma Phi Epsilon house will be unveiled at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow at 1645 Tennessee St. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the $1.7 million project is open to the public, with an open house to follow.
Eliot Kovach, Shawnee freshman, watches TV in the new room of Sigma Phi Epsilon. The fraternity just completed a $1.7 million renovation.
The 75 Sigma Phi Epsilon members living in the newly renovated house now have 7,000 more square feet to sleep, study and relax. Although the fraternity hasn’t increased in membership, Adam Price, Garden City junior and Sigma Phi Epsilon president, said the expansion would help foster a better living environment for current and future members.
“We’ve always had really good guys, but it was a matter of facility. Our house wasn’t as nice as the other frats,” Price said. “Now, I think we’re right up there with all the other houses on Tennessee.”
The renovations include an entirely new front facade, a new technology center with 16 computers, a larger chapter room, larger two-person bedrooms, a faculty office, a media room with a 60-inch plasma television and a couch that can seat 20 people.
Zach Jones, Wichita senior and Sigma Phi Epsilon vice president, said the additional space was already improving morale around the house.
“We’ve never had the structure to get along with the people who live here because it has been so cramped,” Jones said. “Now, it’s spread out enough to give everybody room to stretch their legs.”
Plans to renovate the house began in 2001, but after Sept. 11, Tom Grey, construction chair, said, fundraising for the project was put on hold. The fraternity’s board of directors, made up of Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni, picked the project back up in 2006, and Grey said the board traveled across the country to ask other alumni for donations to upgrade the house. Grey said the majority of donors didn’t need much convincing.
“A lot of alums credit the skills they have today to their days in the fraternity,” Grey said. “Based on that, they have a desire to give back so the next generations can have the same opportunities they did.”
Construction began in June 2008, and Grey said the process couldn’t have gone smoother. While builders worked on the expansion, Jones, Price and many other Sigma Phi Epsilon members helped renovate the home’s existing space. The members also invited their fathers to come help with laying wood floors, painting and putting up fences. Jones said working on the house wasn’t just a chance to cut expenses.
“It’s definitely a point of pride,” Jones said.
Price said living in the house with construction starting at 7 a.m. every day was difficult at times, but members knew the end result would be worth the inconvenience. Although Price said he would probably move out of the house next semester, he said he was happy to help with the project and give back to future Sigma Phi Epsilon members.
“I wish it would have happened when I was a freshman or sophomore, but I benefit from it this semester and I’m excited for these guys to enjoy it,” Price said. “And I’ll be coming back to reap the benefits.”
— — Edited By Sam Speer
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