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“Omega Mu has had two incredible lasting impacts on my life - it formed the closest enduring friendships I have ever had and it allowed me to grow as a leader far beyond what I was able to see in myself. I was able to carry these learnings forward into my professional and personal life.
I would not be who I am today without the experience I had as an undergraduate, and the interactions I continue to have with my three-plus decades as a graduate.”
Tom Hicks, Class of 1982 (Current House Corporation Trustee / Secretary)
Proud Heritage and Tradition
Since 1899, our Omega Mu Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has approximately 1,000 living graduate brothers who have distinguished themselves as gentlemen, scholars, and professionals in the medical, military, education, science, legal, business as well as many other fields. Omega Mu Fijis have been, and continue to be, leaders in their communities and at The University of Maine. In short, Omega Mu Fijis stand out among men. Our chapter has been a leader on campus throughout its storied history and has played a significant role in the positive development of young men. Without question, Phi Gamma Delta is an enduring legacy at The University of Maine for close to 120 years.
We are credited as being the first fraternity on campus, the first chapter house on campus, and the first owned chapter house within the entire Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. The Castle was built in 1925 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013; the first and only house on campus to achieve such a noble distinction. We are extremely proud and protective of our historic Castle and what it has meant to all generations of Omega Mu Fiji brothers.
Omega Mu Today
The chapter continues to function well with over 50 active undergraduate brothers and 15 pledges involved in all aspects of fraternity and campus life. This fall, house occupancy is at 34 live-in brothers. Just prior to the 2016 Christmas break, temperatures in Orono plummeted and several pipes at The Castle froze causing water damage to the main level living room and dining room. Temporary repairs were made, but this was a wake-up call as to the overall condition of our house and the comprehensive repairs that are now needed.
Even before this frozen pipe water damage problem, however, the House Corporation and Board of Chapter Advisers (BCA) had been intending to make several upgrades to the house and it now seems most appropriate to take action on these upgrades.
There has been much activity surrounding these recent events and brothers working with the House Corporation and BCA have:
Recommended Renovations
Ames Associates has prepared a very thorough assessment of our Castle and identified our needs as critical, serious or minor, and recommended corresponding corrections and renovations. We plan to address these needs in the order of greatest deficiency thus our goals for this renovation are multi-faceted:
Critical deficiencies and immediate needs include removal of trees near the building foundation, windows, brick and sill repairs and repointing, plaster and wall restoration, replacement of first-floor level hardwood floors, and installation of fire doors on the basement and first floor levels. Additionally, we will upgrade accommodations in The “Ram” and renovate and refurbish the kitchen. Finally, new heating and hot water plumbing systems along with electrical system improvements are needed. The individual study rooms on the second floor will all be renovated as well.
Summary
Each of us has been a part of the history of our Omega Mu Chapter, and we are responsible for its future. You now have a chance to participate in the next phase of our chapter’s growth and success by making an investment in this project. All contributors will be recognized on a permanent display in The Castle, in a location to be determined, by the Campaign Steering Committee. We welcome all gifts and pledges made in honor of or in memory of brothers that have gone before us.
Brothers, the success of this campaign depends upon all of us. Every investment in Omega Mu’s mission is extremely important and deeply appreciated, and the future of our chapter relies on the generosity of graduates who understand and share our vision. Help us ensure that this vision endures and grows stronger for future generations to come.
“To create value you must have commitment. If there was a commitment in the past you must pull it into the future. If there was a little commitment in the past, you must create a commitment, thereby creating value to that individual. We all have gifts - talents, and skills; these gifts can be a contributing factor to our fraternity and also to the commitment of each individual. Our graduate brothers need to know we need their help, skills, and talents whatever they may be, whether small or large and that they are still valuable to our fraternity.”
Mike Soloby, Class of 1971 (Current House Corporation Trustee)
“As an undergraduate, Phi Gamma Delta offers you this constant potential of who you are going to become. You are never quite who you are when you get here, but it offers you the opportunity to improve and become a better individual throughout your lifetime.”
Jonathan Smith, Class of 1990 (Current Purple Legionnaire and BCA Member)
I would not be who I am today without the experience I had as an undergraduate, and the interactions I continue to have with my three-plus decades as a graduate.”
Tom Hicks, Class of 1982 (Current House Corporation Trustee / Secretary)
Proud Heritage and Tradition
Since 1899, our Omega Mu Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has approximately 1,000 living graduate brothers who have distinguished themselves as gentlemen, scholars, and professionals in the medical, military, education, science, legal, business as well as many other fields. Omega Mu Fijis have been, and continue to be, leaders in their communities and at The University of Maine. In short, Omega Mu Fijis stand out among men. Our chapter has been a leader on campus throughout its storied history and has played a significant role in the positive development of young men. Without question, Phi Gamma Delta is an enduring legacy at The University of Maine for close to 120 years.
We are credited as being the first fraternity on campus, the first chapter house on campus, and the first owned chapter house within the entire Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. The Castle was built in 1925 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013; the first and only house on campus to achieve such a noble distinction. We are extremely proud and protective of our historic Castle and what it has meant to all generations of Omega Mu Fiji brothers.
Omega Mu Today
The chapter continues to function well with over 50 active undergraduate brothers and 15 pledges involved in all aspects of fraternity and campus life. This fall, house occupancy is at 34 live-in brothers. Just prior to the 2016 Christmas break, temperatures in Orono plummeted and several pipes at The Castle froze causing water damage to the main level living room and dining room. Temporary repairs were made, but this was a wake-up call as to the overall condition of our house and the comprehensive repairs that are now needed.
Even before this frozen pipe water damage problem, however, the House Corporation and Board of Chapter Advisers (BCA) had been intending to make several upgrades to the house and it now seems most appropriate to take action on these upgrades.
There has been much activity surrounding these recent events and brothers working with the House Corporation and BCA have:
- Retained an architectural and engineering firm in Bangor (Ames Associates) with experience specifically related to restoring and rehabbing historic structures. They have completed a comprehensive building assessment covering all aspects of potential building renovations and improvements against historical standards and the original blueprints;
- Developed cost estimates, project timelines and phasing for improvements over a multi-year period;
- Kicked off a fundraising initiative intended to cover the estimated costs of the renovations. This initiative is organized and supported by an outside professional so as to make sure that we raise the necessary funds to provide a safe, secure, and updated structure that meets the needs of today’s undergraduate students;
- Received approval for membership in the Society for the Preservation of Greek Housing (Society). The Society was founded in 1988 and is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) (3) organization to support the preservation of historic structures. We have been awarded an initial grant in the amount of $537,980 which is contingent upon us raising that amount of money to be used for the House’s approved historical renovation improvements. Donations to the Society can be tax-deductible for the donor depending upon their individual circumstances and applicable laws; and
- We initiated a comprehensive graduate brother outreach program to update our rich history and publish that history for our 120th year anniversary in 2019. This initiative also includes the creation of a website www.omegamu.org that is a digital repository for our history and connector for all Omega Mu graduate brothers.
Recommended Renovations
Ames Associates has prepared a very thorough assessment of our Castle and identified our needs as critical, serious or minor, and recommended corresponding corrections and renovations. We plan to address these needs in the order of greatest deficiency thus our goals for this renovation are multi-faceted:
- Maintain an existing structure that is competitive to current student housing at The University of Maine. Non-competitive housing causes reduced rental income which impacts ongoing capital upkeep of the aging structure;
- Make The Castle as energy efficient as possible by replacing an inefficient boiler heating system and improving current wall and roofing insulation;
- Ensure that we continue to meet all applicable life safety and building codes so that the house is as safe as possible for all brothers and guests: and
- Maintain and restore the historical integrity and “look” of the original structure.
Critical deficiencies and immediate needs include removal of trees near the building foundation, windows, brick and sill repairs and repointing, plaster and wall restoration, replacement of first-floor level hardwood floors, and installation of fire doors on the basement and first floor levels. Additionally, we will upgrade accommodations in The “Ram” and renovate and refurbish the kitchen. Finally, new heating and hot water plumbing systems along with electrical system improvements are needed. The individual study rooms on the second floor will all be renovated as well.
Summary
Each of us has been a part of the history of our Omega Mu Chapter, and we are responsible for its future. You now have a chance to participate in the next phase of our chapter’s growth and success by making an investment in this project. All contributors will be recognized on a permanent display in The Castle, in a location to be determined, by the Campaign Steering Committee. We welcome all gifts and pledges made in honor of or in memory of brothers that have gone before us.
Brothers, the success of this campaign depends upon all of us. Every investment in Omega Mu’s mission is extremely important and deeply appreciated, and the future of our chapter relies on the generosity of graduates who understand and share our vision. Help us ensure that this vision endures and grows stronger for future generations to come.
“To create value you must have commitment. If there was a commitment in the past you must pull it into the future. If there was a little commitment in the past, you must create a commitment, thereby creating value to that individual. We all have gifts - talents, and skills; these gifts can be a contributing factor to our fraternity and also to the commitment of each individual. Our graduate brothers need to know we need their help, skills, and talents whatever they may be, whether small or large and that they are still valuable to our fraternity.”
Mike Soloby, Class of 1971 (Current House Corporation Trustee)
“As an undergraduate, Phi Gamma Delta offers you this constant potential of who you are going to become. You are never quite who you are when you get here, but it offers you the opportunity to improve and become a better individual throughout your lifetime.”
Jonathan Smith, Class of 1990 (Current Purple Legionnaire and BCA Member)