Virginia Tech project solidifies higher education partnership By CHARLOTTE STAPLES, Executive Assistant, Real Estate Operations
On September 3, Virginia Tech’s Virginia Kappa Chapter broke ground on the newest and most innovative phase of the university’s on-campus Greek housing community. While the current chapter house has served as a living and learning center for the past 40 years, encroaching development and the passage of time have made ongoing maintenance of the facility expensive and unfit for the growing chapter’s objectives. Through the combined efforts of the Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (especially Don McNamara, ’75, and John Lawson, ’75) and Virginia Tech, a unique partnership was developed.
The terms of the partnership require the chapter to contribute one-third of the construction cost of the house, while the university contributes twothirds. Additionally, Virginia Tech has established an account for the chapter to receive tax-deductible contributions towards their commitment. Virginia Kappa has entered a 50-year renewable lease for exclusive use of the university-owned and -maintained chapter house, including the cost of a full-time, live-in house director. This partnership satisfies the university’s desire to strengthen its Greek system and increase additional on-campus residential space. Virginia Kappa meets
Left to right: Chapter President Thomas Norelli, ’12, Virginia Tech’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Ed Spencer, University President Charles Steger, John Lawson, ’75, and William Thomas Jr., ’72, break ground for the new SigEp facility at Virginia Tech. 8
SIGEP JOURNAL Fall 2011
its need for improved long-term housing. The partnership also allows the chapter to participate in facility design. The $4 million facility, the first to be built on Oak Lane Phase IV, will set the bar of excellence for future facilities. The house, designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, ensures energy efficient operations. It includes an apartment for the house director and various aspects associated with a Residential Learning Community (RLC), to create a living/ learning environment that puts the chapter on track for RLC accreditation in the future. Accommodating up to 36 brothers, the house will encompass a quiet study area, library, conference room and exercise room. Virginia Kappa believes this opportunity is essential to continue its legacy of excellence and leadership. Executive Project Manager William Thomas Jr., ’72, said, “When we first began the project, our goal was to build a new SigEp house that would serve Virginia Kappa for generations to come. But as we partnered with the university, our vision quickly broadened from building a fantastic new SigEp house to one of helping to raise the entire Virginia Tech Greek community to a higher level of excellence.”