The Delta Theta Chapter House Corporation of Sigma Nu Fraternity is pleased to announce that the Knox College Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity has a new home: 516 S. West Street.
Long Time Coming
After almost two years of negotiation with the college, House Corporation entered into a new lease agreement through June, 2030, that would move the Delta Theta Chapter into its new location. For one Delta Theta Alumni, familiar with the situation, “It has been a monumental undertaking to negotiate with the College since 2009 regarding lease renewals and potential expansion of the house or construction of a new house.” Since then, Knox College transitioned through three CFOs that negotiated the lease, until this most recent cycle with the college’s chief legal officer. The college has been through three college Presidents too.
Said Brother Eric Langston (ΔΘ 1187) who has headed up negotiations with Knox College since 2009, “Securing the lease for 516 S West Street provides the chapter with a house it can be proud of. The chapter will finally have a facility that will bolster its efforts.”
In 1965, Delta Theta moved into 151 S. West Street where it remained until the early 2000’s. Due to structural issues in the house, the Chapter moved into its current house at 556 S West Street in 2005.
556 S. West Street
516 S. West Street
As many Alumni know, the housing at 151 S. West Street was considered temporary as was the housing at 556 S West Street.
Said Brother Langston further: “I feel like I’ve finally delivered on a goal born during youthful optimism — to secure a “real” house for the chapter. After joining House Corporation, the dream of a new house had been bubbling long enough to become a stale, wistful lusting. Stories of ‘we’ve done that’ and ‘tried that’ kept getting in the way. The Sisyphean nature of getting a new house — a task that felt like it could never be completed — was accentuated by this intractable situation. We couldn’t build a house without a lead donor, we couldn’t get a lead donor without alumni engagement, and we couldn’t ever deliver a message other than ‘we’re working on fixing the house situation’ but not having anything to deliver.”
“We’ve had amazing leadership through all of House Corporation’s board members these past few years,” said Jim Saranteas (ΔΘ 1026), it’s current President. “It started with the recognition by the board — after a courageous alum spoke out that repeated talk of “new house” had fallen on def ears — that a new house was just not going to happen. It ended with a commitment to get the current Delta Theta Chapter into a new house which could host a high-quality fraternity like Sigma Nu.” On hearing the news, alumnus Brother Al Schmidt (ΔΘ 740) was ecstatic to hear it stating, “Through Eric’s hard work and persistence, it finally happened. Unbelievable.” Brother Don Gingold (ΔΘ 889) echoed Al’s sentiment. “Great job, Eric! And a great house! Until about 30 years ago, this was the Phi Delt house. They’ve been gone awhile and it’s great to have another fraternity using this residence built to be a fraternity house. Can’t wait to make it our own. Long time coming.”
Last, Langston commented, “Finally, the house ‘situation’ isn’t going to be a ‘situation’ anymore. The chapter and alumni can focus on other aspects of the brotherhood aside from its facilities.”
The “new house” is where Delta Theta Chapter will call home for the foreseeable future.
Congrats brothers! Make sure to scrub the Delta phi out of the building and get that Delta Theta feeling in. Will miss the old House, but glad the chapter is moving on up
What happened to taking over the old Phi Delt house?
This IS the old Phi Delt house.
SNUs in the old Phi Delt house. CRAZY… I hope the place is in decent shape – it sure as hell wasn’t when I knew it! Congrats on the new digs.
Congratulations on a terrific development!
Congratulations! Just a historical note that the 151 S West Street house was first occupied in 1968 my Sophomore year. We had good times tearing down the old house and converting an apartment building to a fraternity house.
Can someone post a video walking-through the new house? Would love to see what the inside of the house looks like now.
Great idea, Paul. I’ll suggest it at the next House Corp meeting.
This is so very exciting. Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard and for so long to make this happen!
Holey Moses, the old Phi Delt house? It’s a great location and a fantastic layout, as I recall. But I’d get it fumigated before you move in. And possibly excorcised. 😉
No offense to Sigma Nu, but as a former Phi Delt (class of 1976) this is disappointing news. Lots of fond memories.
We can understand your disappointment, Chuck. There was trepidation in the decision. Many Snu alums of 20+ years have good friends who are Phi-Delts. but look at it this way: it’s back to being a fraternity house, and no longer a dorm. We’ll take good care of it. 🙂