House Renovation

Construction Photos

The latest photos from the construction at 115 South Darling St. For more construction photos view the Construction photoset on Flickr.

More construction photos Flickr...

Demolition Photos

The Sigma Phi Epsilon house at 115 S. Darling Street was demolished on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. For more, view the House Demolition photoset on Flickr.

More demolition photos Flickr...

Ground Breaking - June 12, 2008

Welcome & introductions

Bill: Sigma Phi Epsilon has been affiliated with Tri-State University since May 1, 1968. The fraternity began on December 17, 1927 - over 80 years ago - with the initiation of 13 men into the Delta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Sigma Chi. The house at 115 South Darling Street, formerly owned by Professor and Mrs. Fred Starr, was known as Guidi Hall.

In 1948 the fraternity sought to improve itself by seeking affiliation with Alpha Gamma Upsilon. On May 8th, 1949 the fraternity officially became the Lambda Chapter of Alpha Gamma Upsilon.

Over the next several years the National fraternity of Alpha Gamma Upsilon experienced some hardships and membership began to decline. Being one of the only chapters of Alpha Gamma Upsilon left, the brothers of the Lambda Chapter sought affiliation with a new growing National fraternity that could breath new life into the chapter. After inquiries were made to many different fraternities, the brothers and alumni agreed upon Sigma Phi Epsilon. On May 1, 1968 the brothers were initiated and the new fraternity became the Indiana Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Ken: Since its inception, Indiana Theta has been awarded nine Buchanan Cups - an Outstanding Chapter Award - the highest honor any chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon can receive. The national fraternity of Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest fraternity in the Nation. The mission statement of the fraternity is Building Balanced Leaders for the World's Communities.

The fraternity was built upon three cardinal principals - Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love. These three principals, along with the many life lessons learned through the fraternity, have permanently changed the lives of over 600 young men as they completed college life and passed on to the adult world.

Denise Stump, the wife of Brother and alumni Jim Stump (who also attended TSU and was affiliated with the fraternity as a Goldenheart) had the following words to say: I began to tear-up as there are so many wonderful memories of the Sig Ep house and the great life-long friendships that have been made. As expected, emotions will be running high during the demolition. It seems like yesterday when the house was just being renovated. For many of you it's where your life really began and for many of us Golden Hearts it's where our lives began too.

Fraternity principals and memories will last a lifetime - a fraternity house will not. The alumni of Sigma Phi Epsilon recently made the decision to build a new fraternity house for the Indiana Theta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at 115 South Darling Street. This new house will provide the active members with the tools they need to have a successful college experience while continuing the traditions of the fraternity.

As noted by Brother Jeff Haskins many years ago - Through These Halls Walk Some Of The Finest Men On Campus - The Brothers Of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

We are here today to dedicate this ground breaking event to the brothers that have walked through the halls of THIS house and we look to the future to the men that will walk through the halls of our NEW house.

The Future is Now! Thank you!

Construction timeline:
June 16 - demolition begins
December 15 - construction completed & move-in

House details:
10,665 square-feet (3,555 sq-ft per floor)
Two-story on full basement
Accomodations for 21 beds
Built as traditional fraternity house - not villa-style
Commercial kitchen with cook (Sharon 20 years - special lady)