Brethren of the Nu Charge of Theta Delta Chi:
In the Fall of 2019, we launched a capital campaign for the Nu Charge of Theta Delta where alumni contributed more than $250,000 — the biggest capital raise in the history of the House.
Your contributions funded improvements that profoundly transformed the House. We had three major objectives: (1) Better manage rainwater to prevent future water damage, (2) revitalize the exterior of the House, and (3) vastly improve the common areas.
The work, masterfully managed by Brad Kerchof (Engr ’77), included:
- Installing a new boiler and two tankless water heaters.
- Replacing the sidewalks with new bluestone.
- Installing new gutters and downspouts to route water away from the House.
- Repointing the brick mortar around the entire exterior.
- Painting all exterior woodwork (including replacing several damaged sections).
- Installing new rubber membranes in the two roof valleys over the back of the House.
- In the basement, replacing water-damaged sections of the concrete wall, water-proofing the walls, and applying an epoxy coating to the floor.
- We also walled over and filled in the old coal chute – once a beloved part of initiation ceremonies but also a major route for water to enter the House!
- Painting the common rooms on the entire first floor.
1811 Lambeth Lane is now in its best condition in years – something that has paid off with several solid rush classes. We now have a phenomenal group of responsible, energetic undergraduate brothers. The House is in very good hands and covers its operating costs each year, but we still have work to do.
The next phase of improvements includes renovating the kitchen, bathrooms, attic, and some work in the bedrooms. These additional improvements are essential to maintain and sustain the House as an appealing living space for the next 25 years.
Thus, we are launching the 2024-25 Capital Campaign to raise $125,000 to complete the work that will make the House a place where all brothers will want to live for multiple years.
Many of the donors from the 2019 campaign have already pledged to contribute again. We encourage you to contribute to the remaining uncompleted projects.
The House at 1811 Lambeth Lane exists because of extraordinary support from our alumni who acquired the House from Dr. Lambeth in 1915 and have supported its upkeep through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and other economically calamitous times. This research paper, prepared by one of our alumni, tells the remarkable story of how the House was acquired and how alumni funded its upkeep over its first 65 years.
We encourage you to make both a current gift and ongoing monthly or quarterly contributions that would enable us to finance a portion of the renovation costs, as we did in our most recent major renovation in 2007. Many of our young alumni have made an upfront donation and also contribute $18.11 per month. For more donation information, visit our support page or contact Mark Moran (Col ’84) at markemoran@gmail.com or 917-597-3815.
If you have questions about completed or planned work, contact Brad Kerchof (Engr ’77) at brad.kerchof@gmail.com.
Early in 2025, we will announce our plans for a golf outing in Charlottesville in the spring, as well as other opportunities to connect with your fellow brethren.
In the Bonds,
Ben Webne (Arch ’03) House Corporation Chairman
Mark Moran (Col ’84), Chair of 2024-25 Capital Campaign