Arkansas Breaks Ground on $5MM House Located just a stone's throw away from the Student Union and mere steps from the Razorback gridiron on Stadium Drive, Sigma Nus at the University of Arkansas will soon have a new place to call home. On April 5, 2006, Gamma Upsilon active and alumni members donned hard hats and picked up shovels to break ground on a $5 million 22,830-square-foot house scheduled to open its doors in fall 2007. And, regardless of whom you ask locally, this was truly a day for celebration. This groundbreaking ceremony marks the culmination

Gamma Upsilon Members Ready to Dig In

of both a multi-million dollar capital campaign led by Gamma Upsilon alumnus Gaston Gibson and the continued success of our recently re-chartered Gamma Upsilon Chapter. After a brief closure of our doors in fall 2000, the General Fraternity partnered with university officials and a team of local Gamma Upsilon alumni leaders including the President of the Razorback Foundation Chuck Dicus, Special Assistant to the Chancellor Gary Standridge, and Director of Development John Tolleson to re-establish a positive student presence on campus in spring 2004.

Strict membership criteria were defined and, working with General Fraternity representatives, more than 125 students were interviewed during the initial membership selection process. The 22 students ultimately chosen to become re-founding fathers for Gamma Upsilon knew from day one they would be held to high standards. In return, the continued support of alumni and construction of a new chapter home facility was a part of that mutual understanding and goal.

"We have not made this commitment [to build a house] as alumni for mediocrity," said Gibson. He continued by stating it was a commitment to love, honor and truth that made this new house possible. He believes the lack of those virtues is what ultimately brought the Fraternity down in 2000.

University Chancellor John A. White (Gamma Upsilon) and Don Tyson (Gamma Upsilon)

The largest alumni contribution to the capital campaign was made by Don Tyson, chairman emeritus of Tyson Foods, Inc., who donated $1.6 million--a figure subsequently matched in total by nearly 300 other Gamma Upsilon alumni members. Tyson said he believes fraternities help build social structure and brotherhood among alumni, and he says that "Sigma Nu has always been special" for him. He continued, "To you new Sigma Nu brothers, have fun and enjoy your house."

The new three-story fraternity house will include over 50 suite-style rooms, four study lounges, two laundry rooms, a kitchen, formal dining and living rooms, a recreation room, an executive conference room, a mail room, and an elevator. It will provide a living experience unlike any other presently available to fraternities on campus.

Current chapter Commander and one of the original re-founding fathers Tyler Reis said "although we won't be living in this building, I think we can all take pride in what we have accomplished here." He summed up the experience by saying, "this is probably the biggest gift [we] will ever receive. . . Sigma Nu at the University of Arkansas is truly grateful, and we will make you proud." Gamma Upsilon Chapter currently has 54 members on its active roster.

Chapter Commander Tyler Reis