The Theta Chi chapter houses at Zeta Phi/Cal Poly, Delta Kappa/Ball State and Epsilon Tau/Stephen F. Austin, all underwent renovations this summer. Some of the renovations were minor, some were just to update or refresh, while other renovations were major.
For Zeta Phi Chapter, the renovations to the chapter house were minor. Seven of the chapter brothers worked to give staircase in the chapter house a face lift. Malik Shahbal (2013), Jaime Ceja (2014), Jason Bertels (2013), Christopher Couto (2012), Matthew Truss (2015), Corey Souza (2013), and Atta Shehadey (2016) prepped and painted walls, spindles and some of the woodwork as well as other projects around the house. Afterwards came the decorating of the walls with the family flags and current composite.
"It (chapter house) looks infinitely better than before the summer. I love all the hard work that went into making it happen," said Malik Shahbal.
"This is the best the house has ever been," said Zeta Phi Recrutment Chairman, Jaime Ceja "not just the staircase but all the other improvements as well and I'm excited to see the house continually improve," he said.
"It's a great feeling to know that we have left the place better than we got it," said alumnus Jason Bertels. "I'm proud that fixing up the house is part of my legacy," he continued.
Before and after photos below...
At Delta Kappa Chapter renovations were done in all parts of the house. In the foyer, 80s style wallpaper was removed and the area was painted with a light beige color with a tan accent trim. The light fixture was also replaced with an energy efficient LED fixture, and a four foot coat of arms decal was installed.
The TV Room was renamed Delta Kappa Student Room and its new design promotes educational use. There is a new built-in cabinet that encloses the TV and surround system - a new 50” LED TV mounted so that allows for the TV to be pulled out and rotated for better viewing, and a 5.1 channel surround sound system complete with receiver, subwoofer and speakers! The room was also painted and trimmed to match the foyer, new carpeting was installed, and a five foot coat of arms decal was installed above the TV.
"With the new house renovations, it looks a lot more welcoming and like home when you walk in the front door," said Athletics Chairman and Family Weekend Co-Coordinator, Matt Bowlin (2016), "The TV room is also a great place to hangout with the brothers," he added.
The kitchen at the Delta Kappa house received a new community refrigerator and dishwasher, and in the utility room the 20 plus year-old water heaters were replaced with two new 100-gallon water heaters.
The Billiards room in the basement was also sealed and painted, the felt on the billiards table was replaced with red felt, and a new light fixture was installed.
"The renovations to our house not only make it more efficient in regards to the water heaters and lights, but it is more usable, " said Chapter President, Josh Rooney (2015). "We are able to build brotherhood in the Delta Kappa Student Room. The renovations are helping the brothers to get the most out of their four years here on campus. The alumni support for our chapter right now is beyond amazing and all of these additions to our property is the results of this support," he continued.
A tree limb falling on the Epsilon Tau Chapter house back in March made major renovations necessary. The falling limb damaged the roof, the attic, a second floor bedroom, and the kitchen. The total estimated damage was $30,000. See photos of destruction...
Luckily, homeowners insurance covered the renovations which included a new roof, exterior siding replacement, renovation of the bedroom, chimney removal, and updated kitchen. The exterior of the house was also recently painted. Photos of the renovation below...
Chapter President Connor Murnane (2015) now resides in the room that was once damaged by the falling limb. "I would say the best part about the new renovations would be the kitchen, " said Connor. "The kitchen was horribly outdated with poorly designed cabinets, linoleum countertops and a chimney that had no use. The new kitchen utilizes every amount of space available with taller cabinets, granite countertops and a new dishwasher.The chimney that ran through the kitchen and up through my room has been removed which gives me plenty of space in my room. The new paint on the house has made an extraordinary difference and I am proud that it can be called a chapter house for Theta Chi Fraternity," he said.
Blake Broaddus (2012), who lives on the third floor said, "My favorite part of the renovations is the new roof. The old roof was in bad condition which made the third floor very hot and uncomfortable. The new roof cools the house off and has made the third floor into the best room in the house."