Delta Tau Delta - Cornell University

Capital Campaign Builds Momentum Initial Goal In Our Sights THE CORDELT BETA OMICRON CHAPTER OF DELTA TAU DELTA AT CORNELL UNIVER SI T Y SUMMER 2021 I f anyone told you the story of the last 15 months back in March of 2020, you definitely would not have believed them. It has been quite a journey, and I know I am very happy to be back in the office and (hopefully) back to Cornell for Homecoming in September. Now, if you told me that we'd be able to plan and launch a capital campaign in the midst of these events and get the tremendous support of so many alumni I would have been equally dubious. The way the capital campaign committee, the era and class leaders, and so many brothers responded to the need for a major Shelter revamp has been extraordinary. I believe this is due to the lifelong bonds of brotherhood we all share, which were the foundation for something we could all rely on during the last 15 months. Whether through Zoom happy hours, phone calls, emails, or Facebook posts (some heartwarming, some backhanded compliments, some outright slams), we were all connected to our home, the Beta Omicron brotherhood and, by extension, the Shelter. The Our Home. Our Legacy. campaign was publicly launched in January, and to date we have received written commitments/pledges/ donations of over $1.9 million! We are within sight of our initial campaign goal of $2 million, and I am confident we will achieve and ultimately exceed this target as more and more brothers make their commitments. The campaign continues and I call on all brothers who have yet to donate to join the 146 brothers who have already given. Any additional money we raise over the $2 million mark would limit the debt required and allow more work to be completed at one time. To recap, we engaged with Ashley McGraw, a leading architecture firm with extensive campus experience, to develop a long-term master OUR HOME OUR LEGACY plan for the Shelter. The concepts, high-level design, and initial cost estimates were based on achieving four main project goals: • Improve Desirability of the Housing: Students have increasing options for on- and off-campus housing. To compete, Delt needs a beautiful Shelter with comparable amenities. Fortunately, the current facility is attractive, contains desirable amenity space, and has great flow. The job of the design team will be to build off that base and transform the facility with beautiful, durable materials, and excellent functionality. • Enhance Energy Efficiency: This facility is ideally structured to accept cost-effective energy improvements. This will improve long-term operating costs and enhance user comfort and health. • Provide Flexible Phasing Options: This study resulted in an extensive list of recommended improvements. It will be crucial to map them out in a way that gives flexibility to Delta Tau Delta, allowing the work to be done in a series of phases as needed to meet our fiscal requirements. • Related goals include potential accessibility improvements, kitchen and dining transformation, weight room upgrade, restroom/shower updates, and improved aesthetics. We have all of this in hand and have shared much of it through the campaign brochure and other supporting communications and materials. The Our Home. Our Legacy. campaign is a significant down payment for our future, and we are already looking at ways to sequence the work in a way that allows us to get started as soon as next summer. Your generous contributions are ensuring that future generations of Delts will benefit from being a member as much as we all did. Fraternally, Sonny Sonnenstein '90 Campaign Chairman sonny_sonnenstein@hotmail.com (901) 262-5517

• Cover