book of records - Kansas State University

Book of Records 7.31
Emig put in many hours in planning. By the fall of 1968, the fund drive was ready to begin, complete with a
professionally printed brochure. Homecoming, November 16, 1968, was the official Akick off@ for the campaign.
Contributions and pledges started coming in from alumni in December. Walt Rogers, Building Corporation Treasurer,
handled the big task of collecting and accounting for all the funds. Each alumnus donating $100 or more was designated
as a Golden Donor in honor of the chapter=s 50th Anniversary to be held in 1970 at the new Chapter House they helped
to build.
Emig was the driving force behind the fund drive. He coordinated the entire effort, composed all literature that
was mailed out and made many personal visits throughout the state. Dick Fagerberg, who was serving a tour of duty
with the Army, tried to be of assistance to Emig by sending personal letters to various alumni asking for donations.
Worthy Grand Chief Stewart D. Daniels wrote a letter to Delta Theta alumni which was published in the Vintage
expressing his great pleasure with the fund drive which showed that Delta Theta was keeping pace with the Aexciting
and dynamic Renaissance at Kansas State@. He further expressed how proud each alumni of Delta Theta would be by
contributing to make the new Chapter House dream come true Ain appreciation for what Alpha Tau Omega has meant in
their lives@.
In May of 1969, the Building Corporation Board of Directors decided to purchase the building site in view of
the fact that the fund drive had reached a reasonably successful level. In the summer, it was decided to have the Kansas
State Alpha Tau Omega Students= Aid Endowment Fund purchase the building site as an investment and rent it to the
Building Corporation. This released extra funds to be spent on actual construction by the Corporation. The land was
purchased by the Endowment Fund on August 14, 1969; and the K-State Endowment Association began immediately to
put in a street and utilities.
During the summer, Muir negotiated for a loan to help with construction costs while Emig and Fagerberg, who
had returned from the Army in June, continued fund raising efforts.
A ground breaking ceremony was held on August 17, 1969. Speakers included Kansas State University
President James A. McCain and Province XVIII Chief Don Falk. Ground was broken with a golden shovel, the first
ground being turned by Dr. McCain, Falk and Walt Rogers, Delta Theta second initiate. Each alumnus present then took
a turn at breaking ground while the active chapter looked on. Following the ceremony, a mid-afternoon luncheon was
held at the Ramada Inn.
The Board of Directors met after the luncheon to formally authorize Tom Muir to enter into a contract with
Hunter and Lundberg Construction Company to building the new Chapter House costing $300,000. The Board also
authorized a mortgage arrangement with Manhattan Federal Savings and Loan.
Construction was to start in September with completion set for January, but an engineering mistake delayed the
completion of the new extension of McCain Lane until October. Thus, when the Board of Directors met on
Homecoming, October 25, 1969, they voted to delay the start of construction until January so that the Chapter House
wouldn=t be ready until the next fall. This was done to ease the financial burden that would have fallen on the active
chapter if they had to move in the new Chapter House half-way through the second semester.
Site clearing started January 26, 1970, with house construction commencing on March 20, 1970. The Board
of Directors met that summer to review the construction progress and to authorize expenditures for the various house
furnishings. The new Chapter House was sufficiently complete by late August so that the chapter could move in.
Construction was finished by the end of September. Mike Tolson, a member of the active chapter, planned and
developed the landscaping around the Chapter House and the fountain, which is named for him. As part of that project,
the ΑΤΩ letters off the front side door of the 1408 Denison house were installed on the stair post above the fountain and
the ΑΤΩ letters in the sidewalk in front of 1408 Denison were put in concrete in front of the Chapter House.
Delta Theta=s dream house was a reality. With a new sense of pride and enthusiasm, the active chapter and
alumni began preparation for Delta Theta=s 50th Anniversary and the dedication of the new Chapter House.