Theta Xi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

www.alpha6294.com Alphabet 2 Alpha Chapter Strives (Continued from page 1) on finalizing the details on a fundraiser for our national charity, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Recruitment Chairman Roland Judd '15 (A1656) led a successful fall recruitment, resulting in 13 new associate members. We had a great turnout at our events, including 80 guests signing in at our annual car bash. On May 13, former Public Relations Chairman Carl Whatley '15 (A1660) organized The Dog Days of Finals event, co-hosted with Alpha Gamma Delta. For this event, several dog owners from the area came to Alpha Chapter with their therapy dogs. The entire RPI community was invited to attend in order to relieve stress from the week of finals. This event was very successful and the women of AGD have agreed to make it an annual event. For our alumni weekend, we hosted our annual wine and cheese reception. Many alumni returned from the '50s and '60s and enjoyed being taken around the chapter house to see recent improvements and renovations. Active brothers got the opportunity to learn more about our history and to hear stories of what it was like to live in Troy 50 years ago. The next day, we threw a barbecue dinner. Brothers reflected positively on the weekend and enjoyed their company. Thank you, alumni, for coming! For this year's work week, House Manager Joshua Plitnick '15 (A1655) led some extremely ambitious projects on the chapter house and property. To alleviate storage concerns, we constructed a new shed in the back, which is over twice the size of the old one. This required renting an excavator to move back the hill, extending the retaining wall along the driveway, adding new drainage lines, and pouring a concrete foundation. Another work week project was to redo the laundry room. A new floor was installed along with water piping and electricity to support the commercial washers and dryers recently purchased to replace the aged units that failed over the summer. Other projects included re-laying the bricks in the front walkway, installing new bathroom partitions, and installing new water coolers that hook up directly to the water lines, saving us over $3,000 a year. New couches were purchased for the formal room, resulting in several alumni commenting that it looks better than they've seen it in years. We also purchased bar tables and stools to improve seating in the basement. With strong new members and the house ready for another year, the Alpha Chapter stands prepared to celebrate our 150th anniversary in April. We'd like to thank our alumni for your continued support and encourage you to join us in the spring to celebrate our brotherhood. James Lee '14 (A1654), Associate Members Navid Safaie, Nate Kowal, and Conor Wood, David McWilliams '14 (A1650), and Associate Member Tommy Hirt at the Adirondacks ropes course. The annual car bash drew 80 guests. Yours in the Bonds, David McWilliams '14 (A1642) Chapter President (774) 212-4709 president@alphaofthetaxi.com 1490 Sage Avenue Now on NYS Register of Historic Places Roland Judd '15 (A1656) and Will Smythe '14 (A1646) laying tar paper on the roof before shingling. A t a meeting held on September 19, the New York State Board for Historic Preservation approved the placement of the Alpha Chapter of Theta Xi fraternity house on the state's Register of Historic Places. Brother Ron Vogel '90 (A1288), who attended the meeting held at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island, NY, made remarks on behalf of the chapter in support of the application for listing on the register. He reported that the board members were very impressed with the research and the application submitted for review. The finalized application has been forwarded by the state office to the National Park Service; once approval, which is expected by the end of the year, is given, the chapter house would then be included on the National Register of Historic Places. Please visit the alumni association website at alpha6294.com to read the complete application with its detailed description of the chapter house's construction, architecture and the architect, Joseph M. Lawlor of Lawlor & Hasse, who was also responsible for designing almost all of the green-rooftop buildings on the RPI campus. From left: Associate Members Tommy Hirt, Patrick Amato, Nick Ziter, Kyle Miller, Jordan Torti, Tommy Hirt, Navid Safaie, Alex Pawlak, Jordan Torti, Dan Haynes, Conor Wood, Nate Kowal, and Ben Weston.

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