Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

For Alumni And Friends oF the FloridA AlphA ChApter no. 33 • spring 2017 university oF FloridA, sigmA phi epsilon inFormAtion www.FlAlphA.org SigEp Gator Heart T here is much to be excited about at Florida Alpha! Construction and renovation is underway and our undergraduates and alumni came back with seven, count them, seven, awards from the annual Carlson Leadership Academy. Read more about these great accomplishments on page 5. Our renovation is creating its own buzz on campus and prospective members and Chapter members are excited to see the new house. We have planned to have a Grand Opening Ceremony on September 9. Many of us have looked forward to this day for several years! COME SEE For those who have made all this possible, we invite you to come see what your generous dollars have accomplished. For those of you waiting to participate in this campaign, it is equally important for you to come see the new house. Please make it a priority to stop by the house during one of your trips to UF this fall for a football game. Introduce yourself to the actives and let them show you around. Tell them a couple of your fond memories. COME CELEBRATE Our official Florida Alpha House Grand Opening celebration will be held Saturday, September 9, at 10 a.m., and, depending on game time, a barbecue will be provided before or after the Gator game with Northern Colorado. Please make your plans NOW to join us. Years of hard work deserve a big celebration! The celebration weekend will give us an opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to make the Grand Opening of our new house possible and to honor Mike Watford '75, our million-dollar-plus alumnus/brother/benefactor, without whom we would not be having a celebration. Our outstanding 2nd year Chapter will hold its 2nd Annual Balanced Man Scholarship Banquet on Friday evening, September 8, at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club and you are invited to attend. Details will follow in a coming e-blast. RSVPs for this special evening are essential. COME RENEW The physical remodel at 5 Fraternity Row will be terrific and will set the course for SigEp at UF for years to come. The many generous gifts we have, and continue to receive, have made it all possible. We thank you for giving us the opportunity to do our jobs with the fraternity we hold so dear and the chance to renew our connections with many brothers. We look forward to seeing you at the dedication as you come renew your connection to Florida Alpha and your brothers. The weekend will be a lasting memory! Remember to come see, come celebrate, and come renew with Florida Alpha this fall! Fraternally, Bert Harris '74 President, Florida Alpha Educational Foundation bert@heartlandlaw.com Bryson Ridgway '05 President, Alumni and Volunteer Corporation bryson.ridgway@gmail.com As Construction Progresses, Capital Campaign Nears Its End, But Critical Unmet Needs Remain, Fall Grand Opening Celebration Scheduled COME SEE, COME CELEBRATE, COME RENEW There is a lot of work being done in the courtyard, as it will be enclosed and secured. The new main entrance will be the entry into the courtyard with a key fob required to gain access. The renovated courtyard will be more accommodating for informal or formal gatherings. Brett Ogilvie '86 working the plans for the dining room. The large classroom above the alumni room is being refitted. The room will serve many academic purposes and will help the chapter qualify as a designated Residential Learning Center. W e have reached a very critical point in the house renovation project and we need your help. To date, the construction has yielded several expensive and unanticipated surprises—we find ourselves today—in spite of additional donations that have come in—$300,000 short. In order to keep construction going it has been necessary to reallocate all the money that was planned to fit-up the kitchen and other furniture, fixtures and equipment. We must secure most of this shortfall now in order to equip the kitchen and have it operational for August occupancy. In spite of all the difficulties, our contractor is fully committed to have the house ready for occupancy at least a week before classes start on August 21. Now it is up to us to fit it up. We already have debt totaling $1,700,000.00. We do not feel it prudent to fund the $300,000 shortfall with additional debt. If you have not yet made a contribution to the campaign, we need your help; if you have, please consider increasing your gift. Our dynamic new Florida Alpha Chapter members need your support...and a new kitchen! Unless More Funds Arrive Soon, House Won't Have a New Kitchen!

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