Mu Tau Legacy Campaign
Memphis Phi Gamma Delta Inc. • University of Memphis
Long May Our Delta Reign
Memphis Phi Gamma Delta Inc., the house corporation for the Mu Tau chapter, is building a new, modern house designed to meet the needs of our fraternity as it grows and thrives on the University of Memphis campus.
While memories are fond for more than 250 men who have called 3614 Midland home since 1970, a new, state-of-the-art chapter house is vital for Memphis Fijis to compete with other fraternities and offer our undergraduate brothers a more conducive home to develop as men.
A strong push was made at the 25th Norris Pig Dinner in 1997 for a renovated or new house at 3614 Midland Avenue. That capital campaign, which raised almost $68,000, helped lay the foundation for where we stand today.
The House Corporation purchased the property we had been renting for over 25 years, and proceeded with $35,000 in structural, electrical, plumbing, life-safety and cosmetic repairs to the house. Thanks to the donors of the White Star Campaign, the House Corporation owns the Fiji house property debt-free as of June 2007.
A new fraternity house of approximately 4,500 square feet, designed by award-winning architecture firm, archimania, includes every element needed to enhance the college experience for our Fiji brothers. The new house is designed with indoor and outdoor public space, including an exterior courtyard for entertaining, a full kitchen and a chapter meeting hall that will accommodate over 75 members. A two-story, residential wing will feature a spacious Delta Study and living quarters for 17 brothers.
Many graduates have asked about the University’s intention to create a new entrance to campus off of Highland Avenue as part of its latest master plan for expansion and its potential impact on our property. The University of Memphis Vision Plan, adopted in April 2008, calls for a “Greek Village” along Midland and Mynders avenues between Patterson and Brister including the Fiji House property.
Construction Financing
The loan on a fraternity property is much like the loan on a church: it is based on a large down payment and the bank’s comfort that ongoing cash flow from membership will remain stable enough to ensure that the mortgage is paid in a timely fashion. The Mu Tau Legacy Campaign approaches this criteria from several standpoints: free and clear ownership of the current house and property, graduate donations to the capital campaign, sustained and significant graduate membership in the 1848 Club, and a realistic budgeted cash flow from undergraduate rent and dues that will support the note. The 1848 Club is a critical aspect of the financing structure as it supplements chapter income through “graduate dues.”
Total construction estimates: $750,000
+ Value of 3614 Midland land: $150,000
= Total development value: $900,000
Loan to value for nonrecourse loan: 60% of $900,000
= Mortgage loan needed: $540,000
Equity required: $360,000
– Value of 3614 Midland land: $150,000
+ Development capital needs: $210,000
+ Furniture, fixtures and equipment: $50,000
Total capital requirements: $260,000
For a detailed operating budget, please contact Richard Groff (MT ’91) at
Donor Levels of Support
Your three-year financial commitment to the Mu Tau Legacy Campaign will enable Memphis Phi Gamma Delta Inc. to proceed with the demolition and redevelopment of 3614 Midland Avenue.
Three Annual
Donor Groups Installments Total Pledge
Legacy Circle $8,000 $24,000
Ward Circle $6,000 $18,000
Founders Circle $4,000 $12,000
Snowy White Owl $2,000 $6,000
White Star $1,000 $3,000
Black Diamond $500 $1,500
1848 Club $18.48/month ongoing
We want your involvement in the Mu Tau Legacy Campaign to be as convenient as possible for you. We will gladly accept credit cards or checks, and you can set up a billing system that works best for you, whether it is one annual payment, quarterly or monthly billings.
1848 Club
The 1848 Club offers an important opportunity to go beyond a one-time commitment to the campaign. Akin to “Graduate Dues,” when you elect to be a member of the 1848 Club, your credit or debit card will be charged $18.48 each month to supplement income received from the capital campaign.
The 1848 Club is a vital component of the Mu Tau Legacy Campaign. In these tough economic times, many of our brothers and their spouses have found themselves facing pay cuts and in some cases, even unemployment. We are sensitive to this situation and the uncertainty of the present economy. That is why we are promoting participation in this modest monthly contribution that will make a tremendous impact on our ability to proceed with redevelopment of the property. The goal of 100 members in the 1848 Club will accumulate over $22,000 per year toward the Mu Tau Legacy Campaign and toward ongoing operating expenses of the new FIJI house. Without a large-scale show of ongoing graduate support, our ability to secure reasonable loan terms is jeopardized. The 1848 Club is a simple way to participate in the campaign and demonstrate a high level of graduate support.
Naming Rights
In honor of the significant contributions to Mu Tau’s colonization and chartering almost 40 years ago, and in recognition of a significant gift from the estate of our Chapter Legate, the house corporation has unanimously agreed to name the new fraternity house as the “Frank J. Ward House.”
By pledging your support, your name can also be attached to a part of Mu Tau history. The new house will feature nine bedrooms, several common rooms and outdoor spaces that all provide a unique opportunity to leave your legacy for many years to come at 3614 Midland Avenue.
Front Courtyard: $24,000
Back Courtyard: $24,000
9Bedrooms: $6,000 each
Study: $24,000
Dining Room: $12,000
Sitting Room: $12,000
Living Room: $24,000
Kitchen: $24,000
These spaces can be named for the donor, in honor of individuals or can collectively be named for and by groups of brothers including pledge classes.
Mu Tau Legacy Campaign Results (4/1/09)
Donors*
1997 WHITE STAR CAMPAIGN[
Frank Ward Trust Fund
Founder’s Circle ($5,000): Randy Almand, Alan Crone, Dick McCormick (Iowa State), Bobby Svoboda
Snowy White Owl ($2,500): Joey Boyd, Beau Hardison, Don Walker
White Star ($1,500): Ed Byrne, Ray Goldbeck, Richard Groff, John Mundinger (LSU)
Black Diamond ($750): Clyde Allen, Mike Baker, Marshall Cowan, Bill Holt, Russell Humphrey, Michael Keith, Tim Kiernon, Danny Schuler, Jason Shackelford, Ted Showalter, Wade Tucker
Purple Pilgrim ($300): James Aldinger, John Allelo (LSU), Robert Allen, Scott Anderson, Donald Barrett, Robert Barton, Russell Carter, Shawn Cochran, Harris Coleman, Larry Cunningham, Denny Douglas, Michael Egner, Greg Gillen, Jim Guess, Spencer Hayes, Chuck Holcomb, Chip Misgen, Roy Murrell, Charles Oliver (LSU), Don Smith, Paul White
Other contributors: Mary McCarty Club, Kay Svoboda Parrish
2009 Legacy Campaign
Snowy White Owl ($6,000): Harris Coleman, Richard Groff, Ted Showalter, Paul Woods
White Star ($3,000): Andy Bell, Kyle Byrum, Michael Egner, Jeremy German, Jim Guess, Beau Hardison, Greg Jackson, Brett Lofton, Tommy Svoboda, David Williams
Black Diamond ($1,500): Donald Barrett, Gary Beck, Will Carter, Kevin Ellis, Mike Jones, Owen Keith, Mike Knipple, Hugh Mallory, Craig Napier, Chris Petrowski, Todd Steele
Purple Pilgrim ($750): Matt Avis, Robert Cassady, Shawn Cochran, Steve Judd, David Kraehmer, Craig Locke, Zach Rogers, Joseph Sherrill, Don Smith, Scott Smith, Lance Wiedower, David Zabarowski
Other contributors: Bill Egner, Trip Leonard, Bob Wray, Wes Gentry, Joe Turner
1848 Club Members
James Aldinger, Patrick Allison, Gary Beck, Carl Bedwell, Harris Coleman, Richard Groff, Jim Guess, Don Hankinson, Mike Jones, Michael Lewis, Mike Moore, Chris Petrowski, Todd Steele, David Williams, Paul Woods
*Mu Tau brothers unless otherwise noted.