Securing Lambda Iota's Future
Having completed a significant infrastructure update and upgrade several years ago, the Lambda Iota Graduate Corporation is beginning Phase 2 to raise funds for the following priorities, which, collectively, will ensure the continuity and the legacy of Lambda Iota for future generations of young men:
Chapter House Addition – ensuring that our chapter house is an attractive living option in today’s competitive marketplace
Expanded Space Per Occupant – after the addition is completed, the plan includes reconfiguring some walls in the existing house to provide more floor space per occupant
Financial Security – ensuring a financially independent, long-term future for Lambda Iota
Chapter House Maintenance Fund – ensuring timely completion of routine maintenance and systems replacement
FIJI Proud
We are proud of the young men currently in our chapter:
- The most recently reported statistics show high academic success, with a chapter GPA of 3.06 on a 4.0 scale.
- More than 85 undergraduates returned for the current semester.
- 31 brothers attended the Mortar Board Leadership Academy, and three attended the 174th Ekklesia this summer, teaching them leadership skills to follow in the footsteps of many great Lambda Iota members.
- Despite the challenge of the pandemic, the chapter raised over $4,000 for two deserving charities, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Pancreatic Cancer Research.
- Liam Bettez (2021) was a recipient of the Phi Gamma Delta Wilkinson Award, which is a nationwide award recognizing the fraternity’s most outstanding graduating senior.
Founded 1902
1,560 Brothers Strong
History of 640 Russell Street
Our single most important tangible asset is the chapter house at 640 Russell Street.
Originally built in 1926, much work has been done to our home over its almost 100-year history, including a major infrastructure update and upgrade several years ago. In that recent Phase 1 effort, we completed the following:
- Purchased two lots to the South, making a house addition possible ($1.3 million).
- Engaged an architect and produced drawings for renovation, expansion, and parking at a cost of $500,000.
- Engaged a law firm to maximize educational space to get the best possible tax deductibility of future contributions.
- Leased 15 parking spaces from the University; this provides sufficient parking required by zoning for an addition.
- Completed all borings, permitting, and licensing.
- Developed a reconfigured floor plan for the existing house to provide more floor and closet space per occupant.
- Replaced hot water radiator heat with new HVAC, thus providing air conditioning for the historic house.
- Installed a new hot water system for the entire house.
- Completely gutted and replaced the men’s restrooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors and the ladies’ powder room on the 1st floor.
- Installed new fresh water and wastewater plumbing to restrooms.
- Replaced rotten joists and subfloors in restrooms.
- Reinforced floors in the Dining room, Vestibule, and room 21.
- Replaced electrical feed and switch box with substantially larger capacity.
- Corrected non-conforming gutter water flow to city utilities.
- Reconstructed the courtyard to eliminate clutter and drainage issues.
The University continues to build 21st-century dormitories which feature state-of-the-art facilities. Quite a few of our competitors in the Greek system have completed renovations and enhancements to their living accommodations in the last ten years, and private landlords are building more sophisticated apartment options off-campus. It is very important to note that Purdue University remains supportive of the Greek system.
Located near classrooms, sports venues, and recreational resources, 640 Russell is an extremely favorable location. And we intend to be there for a very long time! We do, however, face challenges with the physical structure of the chapter house, including increasing maintenance costs and routine system repair and replacement, and the quality and amount of space per occupant, which is inferior to that available in other fraternities and in university housing.
Phase II Activities
We paused the project when Covid hit the world but restarted fund raising and project activities in 2023. The most significant action was the purchase from Purdue of the Ludy house and the last lot on the West side of the 600 block. With that action Lambda Iota has the entire West half and we are able to in build a campus like layout incorporating the historic house, parking the Ludy house and a sports court into a unified plan.
In the summer of 2024 we did some maintenance projects and upgrades to the Ludy house and it has become a highly valuable asset to our under grads. The larger rooms are used for quiet study tables and the smaller rooms are frequently used for job interviews via Zoom.
YOU ARE NEEDED!
Our chapter was built on a legacy provided by others. Today, you have a chance to participate in the next phase of our chapter’s growth and success by joining other graduates as we continue the legacy by building the future. Please join us in ensuring that this tradition endures and that Lambda Iota Chapter remains an active and steadfast supporter of academic pursuits, leadership enhancement, and Greek life at Purdue University for generations to come.
To learn more about the project, reach out to any member of the campaign steering committee and they will be happy to help.
Charles Armstrong, 1964
John Barbee, 1998
Christopher Burke, 1977
Martin Burke, 1985
Jeffrey Cooke, 1967
Michael Dilts, 1981
Andrew Donovan, 1981
Jack Goris, 1976
James Hill, 1994
William Kassling, 1966
Robert Martin, 1962
William Miller, 1963 – Indiana
James Neff, 1986
Roger Parkhurst, 1965
Martin Pickett 1975
Robert Swinehart, 1965
Robert Hill, 2006