Penn State Renovation
T HE KEYSTONE HOME
The dining room (above) features rare stained-glass windows designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, dining chairs like those found in the White House and hand-carved mahogany tables. Frank Polizzi ’92 and Edward B. Hunt ’57 (right) join together to sing a classic Beta tune.
“I’m proud of Don’s spectacular renovations to the Beta House. The restoration of the structure back to its original state is unbelievable, and he added all the technology needed to be a college student today. In addition, the University must foster the Greek system because I believe that those who belong to a sorority, fraternity, athletic team or who participate in an annual events such as the Dance Marathon form strong bonds that bring them back to campus and inspire them to support the university financially.” – Sue and Joe Paterno
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The Beta Theta Pi
taller, laugh a little harder and a sing a little louder. Undergraduate Jared Fried ’07 notes, “The biggest thing that has come out of this renovation is that people are more involved. Don Abbey is a part of this brotherhood, I can tell you that with confidence. He is a friend to everyone in this house.”
renovations from a distance. After buying a new vacuum cleaner for the Chapter, he immediately set to work cleaning much of the house by himself. At first, the sight of Abbey vacuuming for hours worried the undergraduates that his standards for cleanliness would be greater than they expected. They soon realized, however, that this was simply an example of his work ethic.
Abbey has put much more into this project than simply money. Regular visits with the undergraduates allows him to do more than oversee the
“More than anyone else, Don [Abbey] has been the champion for the active chapter says Jon Hirtle ’74. “He believes in the actives, he believes in their