book of records - Kansas State University

Book of Records 7.29
11. A DREAM COME TRUE -- A NEW CHAPTER HOUSE
(1966-1970)
Ever since the chapter moved into the house at 1408 Denison after World War II, the members had always
hoped for a new permanent house designed and built especially for Delta Theta. In the spring of 1966, plans began to be
formulated to build the chapter at 1632 McCain Lane.
Through the years, the University had expressed interest in acquiring the house at 1408 Denison. In December
of 1965, the University decided to pursue the project and made arrangements to look at the house. The Building
Corporation at the same time got an appraisal. After a look at the appraisal and its current financial status, the University
decided not to take any further action at that time.
Worthy Master Dick Fagerberg decided that a positive approach should be taken and pursue every angle in an
effort to get a new house for the chapter. The University was going to want the old Chapter House someday, so why not
start plans for a new house now, was his reasoning. He contacted L. Allyn Laybourn, who had been the backbone on the
Building Corporation. Laybourn=s response was that he too thought plans should and could be made.
Fagerberg contacted Dale Duncan about setting up a Building Corporation meeting for the spring. Duncan
advised him that a formal plan of some kind was needed and suggested he contact J. B. Angle, who had returned to
Manhattan from his business in the South to recover from a bout with arthritis. Angle and Fagerberg met in early April
and it was decided that a proposed site should be found and that a proposal for a fund raising drive to buy the land be
presented to the Building Corporation.
Fagerberg went to the Kansas State University Endowment Association to find out if there were any more lots
available in the Campus View Addition (now the Alvin A. Hostetler Addition). Kenneth Heywood, the Endowment
Association Director, said that more lots were available, but were not developed at that time. He said the Endowment
Association would develop them if a group were interested in acquiring a building site. Now Angle and Fagerberg had a
definite idea to present to the Building Corporation Board of Directors.
A meeting was held on April 15, 1966, and the basic proposal was thoroughly discussed. It was decided to have
Angle, Fagerberg and Laybourn set out a formal plan and submit it for approval. The three drew up a plan which
included a fund drive to make a down payment, and an increase in chapter rent to make payments until the old house
could be sold. The second Building Corporation meeting was held on May 29, 1966, but not all of the Board members
could be present so it was decided to conduct a mail vote so that each Board member could vote on this important matter.
By mid-June, Jay Payne, the Building Corporation Secretary, had notified Angle that there was 100% approval
of the proposal. He and Fagerberg went right to work to draft a letter to alumni. They appealed for $25 or whatever the
alum could afford. The down payment on the land needed was $2,500.
On July 1, 1966, the letters went out and checks started coming in the next week. As a reminder, a post card
was sent out around August 1st to those who had not donated. The personal touch was also used as both brothers wrote
personal letters to alumni they knew.
By September 19, 1966, the money for the down payment had been raised and the fund drive was officially
successful. The Endowment Association had not yet completed the survey of the proposed site and so the Building
Corporation put down $500 to hold an option on the site until such time as the Endowment Association was ready to
enter into the formal contract of sale.
The fund raising drive was not only successful as a money raiser but also as a tool to revive interest in many
alumni. John T. (Tom) Muir came forward during the fund drive and it was to be through his resourceful leadership that
the new Chapter House project would be brought to a successful conclusion.