Alpha Tau Omega - University of North Dakota

I n 2018, when our capital campaign began, Greg Page '70 issued a challenge: build at 3000 University and do it without debt. These were wise words with the promise of a lasting impact. TWO PROBLEMS The first hurdle was to buy back 3000 University from UND . The land had been sold to UND in 2015 for $156,000, a forced sale by all standards, as we had been unable to pay the property taxes for the prior three years. In our contract with UND, we negotiated a buy back option allowing us to repurchase 3000 University for $156,000 if and only if ATO would commit to rebuilding at that location within 7 years of the 2015 sale. Two problems. One, then President Kennedy proposed a land swap, wanting ATO to rebuild in what he envisioned to be a Greek Village - a future site for new Greek housing in a communal setting - to be located in a parking lot north of the football stadium. The land is still a parking lot. Two, we did not have the $165,000 to buy back the land. Mindful of the Page challenge to rebuild on 3000 University, the alumni board turned down the Greek Village land exchange offer by President Kennedy. Problem 1 solved. Enter alum Jim Scoular who offered to buy the 3000 University land back from UND and then agreed to donate the land to us. Problem 2 solved ... and the campaign was off and running. MAKING PROGRESS We have regularly updated and chronicled the campaign's progress in prior issues of the Delta Nus. In summary, we quickly raised $1.8 million, slowly inched our way to $2.9 million, and then stalled for a while. Gradually, with specials thanks to Jim Scoular '65, Bob Solberg '66, Bill Hunter '61, Howie Dahl '68, Dick Crockett '63, Don Mann '68, and others, some of whom gave multiple times, the needle moved. MOMENTARY SETBACK By the fall of 2022, we were within $73,000 of reaching our debt- free goal of $3.5 million. And then, for six months, there was no movement. Plans were made in April 2023 to have the balance due on our bank line of credit restructured as a promissory note with the land and building pledged as collateral. In short, the debt-free challenge appeared unattainable, despite our good-old college try. MIRACLES DO HAPPEN But then came the memorable week of June 2, and here is exactly what happened: Jim Scoular once again offered to pledge an additional $20,000 if others would step forward to satisfy the shortfall. T.A. Schultz '63, Jim's friend and contemporary, offered to pledge $8,000. Don Mann '68, another friend, agreed to kick in $10,000, leaving us only $35,000 short. Then the unthinkable happened. That same week, Mike Hilgers '69 agreed to meet the debt-free challenge of his friend Greg Page with a pledge of $35,000, and just like that, we met our goal of rebuilding 3000 University Avenue with no mortgage! Mission accomplished and Page Challenge satisfied. THANK YOU! As we reflect on recent events, some five or so years after this marathon campaign began, Co-Chairman Jerry Van Eeckhout '59 and I are so very grateful to the 200-plus Delta Nu alumni who generously gave so that future brothers can experience, as we did, the many benefits and memories of the fraternity experience at 3000 University Avenue as well as the lifelong friendships forged. Fraternally, Richard Anderson '62 richard.p.anderson@hotmail.com THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS! We are so grateful to each and every brother who gave during the campaign. Your impact will be felt by many generations to come. 2 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA DEBT-FREE GOAL ACHIEVED! Although there is still some work to be done, the chapter is now able (without notes) to sing, but not understand, "The Russian Growler." But then, the words were never intended to be understood.

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