Sigma Chi
Centennial Chapter House
Washington State University
"The best new fraternity house in America"
Centennial Construction Camera live from Pullman!
Sigma Chi at Washington State opens it's incredible new chapter house
with a Peterson Significant Chapter Award - our fraternity's highest honor
Nearly 400 alumni and undergraduate brothers, parents, Sweethearts and friends attended the ceremonial Grand Opening of "America's best new fraternity house" on September 11th, 2021 - after a year of the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the celebration for a year.
And immediately our Beta Upsilon chapter began the 2021 school year announcing it was awarded the Peterson Significant Chapter award, the Sigma Chi Fraternity's highest honor. It was the first time in more than 50 years that the chapter has been awarded a Peterson. 2021 Consul Dane Lucero praised 2020 Consul Patrick Summit for his leadership during the global pandemic that earned them the award.
WSU President Kirk Schulz spoke to the crowd and reminded the undergraduate Sigs how fortunate they should feel for being able to live in such a spectacular house (with a house bill no higher than many fraternities).
Jeff Pyatt and Bill Ukropina and the House Corporation Executive Committee unveiled the new Centennial Club. Donations will support:
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Reducing the mortgage debt
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Seeding a fund for major renovation or all new construction in 75-100 years (undergrads are also paying into this)
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Renovation of the Castleberry House
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Emergency fund
For details, click here.
PHOTOS FROM GRAND OPENING
The Grand Opening ceremony's honored guest was Jim Sweeney, Consul in 1953. Jim recounted for the crowd how Sigma Chi has played a key role in shaping his life. "Joining Sigma Chi," he said at the podium, "was the best decision I've ever made."
Also speaking was Grand Praetor Duane Ray who read the Sigma Chi Chapter Installation as House Corporation President Howie Neill, a 2020 Constantine Sig, handed Consul Lucero a ceremonial key to the new house.
Special Grand Opening programs were snapped up. But you van view the program here.
Also honored were three alumni who, in 2005, helped save the chapter from closing altogether after a tumultuous time when the old house had been torn down, the undergrads scrambled for a place to move the chapter, finances and rule violations were an issue - and the remaining members voted to turn in the charter. The three who saved Beta Upsilon were Consul Nick Birklid, Pro-Consul Kenzie Hansell and a young Chapter Advisor named Wade Barringer. Each was given a gem-encrusted Sigma Chi "Cooper" pin.
Read their story here.
Buy your book here: "One Saturday in November: 100-years of Sigma Chi at Washington State"
Beta Upsilon Sigs not present at the 2021 Grand Opening can now purchase a copy of the book "One Saturday in November: The 100-year history of Sigma Chi at Washington State University."
The new 100-page coffee table leather bound book was handed out at Grand Opening complimentary to all chapter alums and undergraduates living in the house.
There is a limited number of extra books ordered to meet demand. Cost is $100 for the book plus $10 for shipping. To buy your copy, send a $110 check made out to "Beta Upsilon Sigma Chi Club" and mail to Jeff Burnside, 11766 Hartford Way, Mukilteo, WA 98275. Sorry, we're not set up for online ordering. Books will go to the first checks received.
For details, go to special page here.
HEARTBREAKING: This and other never-before-seen 2003 photos of the demolition of the "old colonial" house taken and preserved by Carroll Hayden have now been published in our new book.
You can (and should) be a part of the new Centennial Club
The new Centennial Club was unveiled at Grand Opening 2 whereby donors can help reduce the mortgage debt, renovate the Castleberry House (a revenue producing property next door) and seed a fund for major renovation or even a new house in 75-100 years.
Co-chairs Jeff Pyatt and Bill Ukropina, in coordination with the House Corporation Executive Committee, have set up a donor portal with our mortgage lender STCU bank in Spokane.
So popular is the new Centennial Club that Pyatt and Ukropina raised more than $300,000 in commitments during the Grand Opening program itself!
To get details, click here or email Jeff Pyatt at jeff@pyattbroadmark.com or Bill Ukropina at bill.ukropina@cbcnrt.com
Alpha Chi Omega Shelbie Godwin is the new 2021 Sweetheart of Sigma Chi at Washington State University. The Beta Upsilon brothers welcomed her with a new Italian made Sweetheart trophy to replace the old one lost when the house was boarded up in 2003. The David Allen Sweetheart Necklace was placed around her neck during Grand Opening. Welcome, Shelbie!
