Sigma Phi Epsilon - Arkansas Alpha - May 2020
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*Updated rendering of the future house on 360. N Arkansas Ave.
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Where is the Building for the Future; Restoring the Past campaign?
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Brothers:
This is a critical time in our campaign for a new house. We accumulated over $800,000 in
pledges or funds, putting us further along than any prior effort. We will begin work on the
house this August with a move-in date a year later in August 2021.
We have critical work left to do:
- We need brothers to commit another $700,000 to provide adequate equity to ensure that the house will cash flow.
- We also need to accumulate $300,000 in cash or designated funds at the SPE Foundation to get our bank’s OK to finalize construction financing.
- Nabholz Construction is working with KSQ, our architect, in preparation for an August 1 start. That means we are receiving bills that must be paid. We need payments on pledges.
If you have not committed to the campaign, NOW IS THE TIME. We cannot fail. For pledge amounts, we are offering different options with varying portions qualifying for tax deductibility.
You can choose the option that best suits your situation.
If we want to have a viable, competitive SigEp chapter at the University of Arkansas, we must
bring this campaign to a successful conclusion by the start of school in August. There is simply no other choice. That way the house will be ready for 2021.
Drew Speed, Alumni Association President
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Opportunity for income tax deductions
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Sigma Phi Epsilon Nationals is helping ensure that your donations qualify for income tax
deductibility. They set up an account to support the New House construction. It is called the Arkansas Alpha Residential Learning Community or RLC account.
To qualify, consider one of the following options:
- Make a gift/pledge of $25,000 or more and make a payment of $12,500 or more payable to SPEEF by August 1, 2020 to qualify. The funds are deposited in the Arkansas Alpha Residential Learning Community or RLC account.
- Make a pledge of $15,000 and pay $5,000 to the Alumni Board by August 1st for cash flow. The remaining $10,000 would be paid directly to the SPEEF and would qualify for a tax deduction. The $10,000 could be paid out over a period of up to two years.
- If you can make a larger donation please contact one of the campaign co-chairs, Drew Speed or Phil McKnight, to discuss tax deductibility options.
You can also mail your donations directly to
Jason Hedden, Alumni Association, 5400 South 45
th
Court, Rogers, AR 72758
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Jim is an independent insurance representative for Natural American Insurance (NAICO). He represents NAICO companies in the gas, oil and construction fields in the states surrounding Arkansas.
Jimbo is actively connected with his fellow SigEps by phone and in person. He was the Alumni Board President for the new colony in 1997 and was active in the campaign to purchase 360 North Arkansas to bring SigEp back onto campus. He continues to be active in the group of 15 guys who keep connected via golf outings, including a trip to British Open.
Jim’s favorite SigEp memory is of the 1977 Fight Night at the Fairgrounds when 900 folks showed up to watch the action. He also has wonderful memories of his freshman year, living in the 10 Stadium Drive house and the strong relationships with young men who became his lifelong friends.
Jim is active in the Building for the Future, Restoring the Past campaign as member of the Steering Committee and the first donor to the campaign. He feels strongly that the Balanced Man experience should be available for future generations of you men attending U of A.
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What progress is there on the New House?
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The undergraduates finished their unique online semester. They achieved their 20
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consecutive semester with a 3.0+ GPA. They made a $5,000 payment on their $50,000 Laundry naming gift.
The rest of us are looking forward to moving out of quarantine and returning to our normal activities. Planning for 360 North Arkansas has moved along smoothly! Phillip McKnight’s Construction Committee meets every two weeks with KSQ architects and the Nabholz Construction project team to expedite the design and planning. Construction drawings will be done by August 1. Permits are in the works. Construction will begin at 360 North Arkansas August 1. The move-in date remains at August 1, 2021.
Also, Rusty Matchett of LaHarpe Furniture in Little Rock is leading the interior design and furnishing planning. He welcomes anyone who wants to be involved to call him at 1.501.372.6684.
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What features will the New House have?
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Phillip McKnight reports that the design features:
- Four-story design with Sig Ep principles including 3 pillars, a brick exterior, a red door and 3 bricks from 10 Stadium Drive.
- Undergraduates asked for a balcony on the front overlooking Old Main.
- Basement level houses resident storage lockers and parking.
- First floor features 300 capacity meeting room, scholar/ADA apartment, ADA women’s restroom, laundry room and utility closet.
- Second floor houses the balcony and six 4-man suites w/ bunk beds.
- Third floor has six 4-man suites w/ bunk beds.
- First floor is secure, surveilled and recorded/stored off site.
- All members will have key fob access to first floor.
- Only residents have access to their second and third floor suites.
- The facility will have commercial grade equipment, furnishings, flooring and surfaces.
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What do we need brothers to do, today?
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There are four actions we need from each SigEp brother:
- Make a gift to the campaign to assure we exceed our $1.5 million goal.
- Make a payment to assure that there is money in the account to pay invoices from our architect and contractor. We are spending $40,000 per month for the planning and construction.
- Call your pledge classmates and invite them to join you in making a pledge or gift.
- In May we will begin a series of SigEp Zoom sessions on Thursday evenings to reconnect after the Covid situation. Check with Drew or Phillip to get a Zoom invitation.
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Who has committed a gift to the new house campaign?
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The
Building for the Future; Preserving the Past
campaign reached its $800,000 mark. The 53 brothers who have donated or made a pledge include:
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Arkansas Alpha Undergraduate Chapter
Tim Adams
Patrick Anderson
Guy Brown
Robert John Buddig
Ronald Callan
Cameron Chatham
Brendan Colligan
Brad Day
Shon Dempsey
Dick Edwards
Jay Eslick
Ramsay Fullbright
Jeff Gearhart
Ben Gooding
Jim Gowen
Bill Haley
J. Michael Hazelwood
Jason Hedden
McCall Hogan
Dave Hughes
Tim Irby
Trevor Ivy
Terry Johnston
Patrick Kelly
Steve Lackey
James Langley
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Wayne LaRue
Jonathan Leonard
David Matchet
Bob McCarley
Phillip McKnight
Kirk Morrow
Jack Otten
Joe Park
Bill Raffety
John Ramsey
H. Terry Rasco
Don Al Ringler
Steve Rogers
Benson Row
Archie Ryan III
Wes Shirley
Michael Sostrin
Drew Speed
John H. Stanley
Robert Stovall
Dan Thomas
Jack Waldrip
Jeff Watson
Nicholas Wear
Brett Wiese
Jim Womble
Jim Woods
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How can you help make the new Arkansas Alpha chapter house a reality?
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Give! Make a pledge.
Reach out to one of the members of the Steering Committee to talk about your interest in sustaining the SigEp legacy at the University of Arkansas.
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Know any young men that would make great SigEp's?
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Do you know a graduating high school senior that would make an exceptional SigEp? If so, please pass along the names of graduating seniors to Robert Hooper, our chapter's Recruitment Mentor, so that we can get them on the chapter's radar.
Robert can be emailed at: rzhooper@gmail.com.
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How can I become involved in the Building for the Future Preserving the Past Campaign?
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An alumnus can get involved by taking four steps to reconnect:
1. Go to
Arkansas.Sigep.org
. Click the Learn More arrow. Enter your contact information on the
Keep in Touch
form.
3. Spread the word to your alumni friends. Encourage them to sign up on the website and Facebook.
4. Make a gift to the campaign online on the website.
Donations can also be mailed directly to: Jason Hedden, Alumni Association, 5400 South 45
th
Court, Rogers, AR 72758
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What
: Summer Alumni Retreat
When
: June 12th - June 14th, 2020
Where
: White Buffalo Resort
418 White Buffalo Trail, Mountain Home, Ar 72653
Details:
Fishing, grilling, etc. The more the merrier.
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