FarmHouse - Washington State University

FarmHouse Almanac p . 2 B rothers, I want to give you all a quick update on some improvements we have made since the last newsletter. e main floor gas fireplace has been serviced, is working again, and has a new thermostat. e oven range has been serviced, both oven thermostats were replaced, and a minor gas leak was repaired. We also addressed some plumbing issues in the VP of finance room and upstairs bathroom. is included repairing plumbing leaks behind urinals, replacing shower valves, and repairing sinks. e plumbing has been the most extensive repair so far (roughly $3,000). It took care of an issue that had been a thorn in our side and will allow the association to get a couple of rooms on the main floor and in the basement that had suffered water damage back up and running. It has been a challenging year for everyone, but we keep moving forward. We also have plans to implement a retrofit LED lighting option starting with the main floor that will replace the original, recessed square fixtures. is project has a price tag of approximately $4,000 and stems from some lights not working, missing covers that are difficult to source due to their age, and the inefficiency of the older lights. ese should help save some energy in the long run and bring an updated look to the main floor common spaces. e goal is to make similar improvements to the remaining areas of the chapter house until all of these fixtures have been replaced. at will likely cost another $4,000 or so. If anyone has time/expertise and wants to partake in any of the projects we have planned for the future or would like to contribute financially, feel free to contact me. Fraternally, Brian Tisch '98 Association Treasurer wsuassoctreasurer@outlook.com Chapter House Receives Much-Needed Updates Additional Improvements Scheduled for Upcoming Months T he object of our Fraternity is to promote good fellowship, to encourage studiousness, and to inspire its members in seeking the best in their chosen lines of study as well as in life. Progress shall mark our every step; the spirit of congeniality shall reign at all times; and every member shall be honest with himself as with his brothers. Men elected to our membership are considered to be of good moral character, to be high in scholarship, to have the capacity for meeting and making friends, and to give promise of service to their fellow men and to the world. To be and become such may at times require a sacrifice of time, pleasure, and comforts. It's been a while since I recited the FarmHouse Object, but I have always held it in high regard and know that my experience at WSU was infinitely richer due to the honor of living among FarmHouse men. Being away from home for the first time in my life was challenging, but I quickly learned that I had a whole house full of brothers—men like "e Chief," "Sheep," "Kink," "Tex," "Bear," and "Ark" to name a few. I enjoyed activities like the Roaring '20s Dance, F Troop, the Song Fest Barbershop group, and watching my brothers do "Hoot Man Hoot." I learned to recite the names of the 19 Founding members of the Washington State Chapter before a match burns out (I can still do this almost 50 years later). e memories roll back in my mind occasionally and I smile. I thrived in that environment and thank God I had the good fortune to live in the house all four years. I fondly recall some of the outstanding alumni that took an active interest in the affairs of the chapter in the early 1970s. Dr. Orville Vogel '29 and Dr. Duane Miller, Wyoming '59 stand out for their efforts in this regard, but there were many other alumni who served the chapter and association. When I was an undergraduate member, I oen wondered why more alumni didn't take a more active interest. Now I understand that work and family responsibilities and distance from Pullman get in the way. I look at myself and question why I am not more active and use the excuse that I live too far away and don't have the time to help. Gentlemen, we need to stop making excuses. e Washington State Chapter needs more involved alumni to thrive and be Builders of Men. Where are the men from the '60s, '70s, and '80s that have advanced in their careers and can now provide the wisdom and financial resources to help our undergraduate brothers? I asked Chapter President Devin Lucas '18 for suggestions of what alumni could do. He said, "e active members would welcome alumni reaching out to the chapter, stopping by when conditions are better (no COVID-19 concerns), and generally seeing them more oen. At the moment, we have a small group of alumni who are not from recent graduating years who stop by. It would be amazing to see more new faces and hear stories from when they were in the house." I understand a few alumni have helped undergraduate brothers with internships and work experience opportunities. So, I challenge my brothers to follow their lead, remember your college days, and reconnect with the current generation of FarmHouse men. is could require a sacrifice of time, pleasure, and comforts, but it's what needs to be done to help FarmHouse flourish at WSU. Fraternally, Wayne Steffen '73 Staying Connected at Washington State Chapter Alumni Involvement Needed to Help FarmHouse Flourish at WSU Donate today at tinyurl.com/ WSUFarmHouse!

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