Fraternity House Expense Fund

In 1889, the US had 38 states, Coca Cola was a startup, and Phi Kappa Theta fraternity was founded at Brown University. By 1968, the fraternity had grown to 65 chapters across the country, including the Delta Rho chapter at the University of Georgia. 1968 was an eventful year; Martin Luther King was assassinated, North Vietnam launched the Tet Offensive, and Richard Nixon was elected President. It was also the year that Delta Rho, with 41 members, moved into the historic "Lawrence House" at 677 S. Milledge Ave. The home was originally built in 1899 for Marion Eugenia Dearing Lawrence, daughter of one of Athen’s most prominent families and a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. For fifty years, as Phi Kap's home at UGA, the Lawrence House has been a place where hundreds of diverse individuals have forged lifelong friendships in the bonds of brotherhood under the motto, “Give, expecting nothing thereof”.

Today the house is in danger of being hastily sold because with no active chapter, the Housing Foundation does not have the resources to pay the house's ongoing expenses. The house, which is worth more as a commercial property, will be sold unless the needed funds are raised. Delta Rho may soon lose our heritage, and Athens could lose one of its historic residences.

The purpose of this fundraising campaign is to bridge the funding gap until there is a reorganized chapter to provide income or other arrangements are made. As alumni, we have a responsibility to support the chapter with our time, talent, and financial support.  The goal for this effort is $25,000.  

As 677 S. Milledge approaches it’s 120th birthday, we are at a pivotal moment, but with your help, we can ensure a lasting home for Delta Rho that serves both alumni and active brothers for another fifty years. With that goal, we are exploring all options for housing the fraternity in the future. Currently, a class in the Real Estate Management program at UGA is conducting a case study to develop recommendations regarding the house for us and we look forward to communicating those plans and ideas shortly.  For now, we must make certain that the house will not be sold prematurely.

Please note that Alumni Chapter Membership Funds DO NOT go toward this effort.

If you prefer to make your donation by mail, please send your check/gift (the amount will be added to this fund's total) to:

Delta Rho House Fund

â„… Delta Rho Alumni Chapter

P.O. Box 49822

Athens, GA 30604

ACH, wire transfer, Zelle, and other funding methods are also available. Please contact Paul Viliesis, DRAC Treasurer for details at pkthousefund@gmail.com.