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Kappa Sigma at Texas Breaks Ground with $2.85M Raised
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In 2007, the Tau Kappa Sigma Educational Foundation, Inc., came to the realization their Chapter House was not competitive with other fraternity housing in Austin, Texas. This was, in part, due to recently built or renovated fraternity chapter houses but also to the normal decline of an aging structure. A vision-driven group of Tau alumni developed a solid strategy to construct a new Tau Chapter House and Lodge at their current address. The goal is to offer their members a safe, attractive, and high-quality living environment, while providing the necessary support and competitive edge to ensure the success of the Chapter well into the future.
The Tau Chapter engaged the professional services of Alexander and Associates, with assistance from Walter Cox ’66, Wade Kilpatrick ’69, and Chris Heidrick’ 76, to develop the design of the new facility. The 15,000 square foot Chapter House and 5,000 square foot Lodge will meet the ever-changing needs of today’s students. The state-of-the-art facilities will house up to 37 undergraduates and offer ample space for study, meals, and extracurricular activities.
Construction began this Spring on the first phase of the project, the Lodge. The Lodge will be connected to the main house through an extension of the existing courtyard but will provide a self-contained multipurpose area in which to host events to maintain the state of the Chapter House after construction has been completed. The Lodge will serve as a dining room during the week, will facilitate Fraternity functions on the weekends, and will allow the men to competitively operate and recruit during the construction of the new Chapter House.
More than 1,700 men have been initiated into the Tau Chapter. Its history of campus leadership, academic superiority, and athletic dominance has secured its position as the premier fraternity at the University of Texas. For 125 years, Tau Chapter has created a tradition of excellence both nationally and at the University of Texas. This history of success is the driving force behind the $5 million Tau 125 Campaign.
The Tau 125 Campaign is an effort to garner the support of each Tau Chapter alumnus for the future of the Fraternity. Led by Chairmen George Alcorn ’53, Joe Bailey ’73, and Kip Sowden ’82, Honorary Chairmen Dr. Denton Cooley ’38, and Robert Hewitt ’54, and a dedicated campaign executive committee, the campaign has raised more than $2,850,000 through the guidance of Pennington & Company, the recognized leader in fraternity and sorority fundraising. With Pennington & Company’s assistance, the Tau 125 Campaign executive committee personally met and recruited Tau Chapter alumni to gain initial financial support for the construction of the new Chapter House and Lodge. Additionally, the 120 undergraduates were the first brothers to participate in the campaign by pledging a combined gift of $100,000.
“This is an exciting time to be a Tau Kappa Sigma,” states George Alcorn. “We're building a facility worthy of the storied history of an organization so vital to undergraduate leadership development at the University of Texas. Not only are we celebrating our 125th anniversary on campus, but we are also investing in the next 125 years of the Tau Chapter at UT. We are truly grateful for the support and dedication of our current donors, and with contributions from every Tau alumnus we will reach our goal of $5 million.”
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