Although the new Sigma Chi fraternity house will not officiallybe ready until July, the members of The University of Memphisfraternity celebrated the dedication of their new house lastSaturday.
"We are raising the bar for all Greek organizations and becominga beacon for The University," said Gary Grear, president of theMemphis Sigma Chi Housing Group.
The Epsilon Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi International Fraternityalso celebrated their 50th anniversary at The University.
"The active chapter is extremely excited about the new house andour 50th anniversary," said senior Tyler Rudd, chapterpresident.
The new house cost $800,000 and was funded by alumni donationsand financing provided by Independent Bank.
Current members and family, alumni, and many University andcorporate officials attended the Saturday morning ceremony. Alumniin attendance included families from nearly 19 states and fourfounding members from the 1954 chapter.
"The ceremony was a wonderful and timely experience," said SigmaChi alumni Roy Black who traveled from Texas for the event.
"It has been really amazing to see alumni come back," saidsenior Amy Jackson, current Sigma Chi Sweetheart. "It proves thatbeing in a fraternity or sorority is not only a four yearcommitment but a commitment for life."
The new house, which replaces one that burned down a coupleyears ago, will be able to accommodate 16 students for the fallsemester.
"I can't believe I'm going to get to live in a house this nice,"said junior Chris Hawk, fraternity member. "This is probably one ofthe nicest houses I'll ever live in."
Fraternity members, family, alumni and officials were given achance to tour the house before and after the dedicationceremony.
"I got more and more excited as I walked through the new houseand saw the library," said Rosie Bingham, vice president of studentaffairs. "I was surprised to hear one member say that the librarywas his favorite room."
Some officials see the new house as the beginning of a brightfuture for the Sigma Chi chapter and other U of M Greekorganizations.
"The new house is a symbol of alumni taking a great interest inpresent students," U of M president Shirley Raines told reportersafter the ceremony.
"We are not only dedicating this house," Raines said during herceremony speech. "We (administration) are re-dedicating ourselvesto building a stronger Greek system at The University."
