Investing in the Improvement Of Our Fraternity House
As you read this, another annual cycle in the life of West Virginia Alpha will be starting in Morgantown at 780 Spruce Street. For the past ten months, the House Corp (HC) has been engaged in targeted renovations, improvements and repairs to the James Cochran House and the Goose House. In excess of 105 undergrad members still live in or use these properties daily as the homebase of the fraternity. The annual wear and tear are substantial. A full house (meaning 40+/- residents in 780 Spruce) allows the HC financial leeway to re-invest money in our properties. We are completing some of the most substantial upgrades in nearly a decade. On your next visit, you will see a transformation in the interior House lighting…every fixture was replaced with modern LED lights. This investment will pay for itself in lower utility costs and elimination of buying florescent bulbs / tube replacements. Ongoing now is the removal and replacement of most of the basement laminate flooring with a durable concrete finish intended to last for years. Widow replacements and upgrades as needed and other bathroom repairs have been completed. The Goose House, which has 5 members residing for the next school year, received bathrooms and laundry room renovations, together with new lighting in some areas.
John Miesner, House Corp President
The entire property received a comprehensive treescape removal and trimming which had not happened in my memory. Through a combination of savings, contributions and borrowing, in excess of $125,000 was expended on this effort to preserve and maintain our fraternity home and property. More is needed. Our wish list includes a critical re-roofing of the front portico, repainting the Chapel exterior, completing the basement flooring, new cabinets and countertops for the kitchen. I acknowledge local contractor Dave Daniels who has been spear heading the effort in a balancing act of available resources against greatest need.
Cole Amos, House Manager
Nevertheless, the coming year presents challenges. If you graduated more than 5 years ago, you cannot fully appreciate the changes in the Morgantown apartment housing markets since then. Our friends at WVU have not finally settled on the freshman rush formula. These and other factors affect how many house residents we will have in one or two years. Fortunately, Phi Kappa Phi has met the challenge that so many other fraternities have failed. WV Alpha is currently the most successful Greek organization in Morgantown, and as the Arista Cup winner is clearly setting the standard other chapters seek to emulate. The undergrads are well led by GP Luke Erny ’20 and our House Manager Cole Amos ‘18. I want to express my appreciation to a few of the volunteers who carry on that essential tradition of giving service back to the fraternity: Gary Waters ‘74, Chilton Wise ‘70, Charlie Hageboeck ’17 and Zack Mendelson ‘79.
Zach and Krista Mendelson