The windows tell the story. The colorful stained glass windows of Zeta Chapter set our building apart from the other fraternity houses on Penn State’s campus. They are more than beautiful; they are elegant. Their display of the fraternity crest makes clear to passersby just who lives in the beautiful building at 420 East Prospect Avenue—the men of Kappa Delta Rho, long known for their serious sense of responsibility, along with their serious love of life.
These windows and this house are part of the legacy that is Kappa Delta Rho at Penn State. And they are showing their age. It’s time! In 70+ years, we’ve never had a major renovation campaign. It was inescapable: the wear and tear of 72 years have caught up with the house. Since 1933, young men have been living within these walls — not just sleeping, eating and studying, but socializing, playing and maturing. It’s not just a house, it’s a cocoon, a launching pad, a place set apart. It is the place where boys become men while they learn some social graces along with the lessons of leadership and service. What we learn in this house, we use throughout our lives.
A place set apart, that’s our Kappa Delta Rho legacy. Kappa Delta Rho — a Greek fraternity founded on Roman ideals. It’s Zeta Chapter — a place where strangers become more than friends; they become brothers. A place set apart: where young men can play hard and serve others well. A place where philanthropy and ambition coexist, where athletes and scholars are one and the same. A classic structure meeting the needs of modern students. A place where Honor comes Above All Things.
This is how we will honor the house: first and foremost, we must upgrade to comply with today’s codes. That means installing a sprinkler system, all new electrical and new plumbing. Much of this work needs to be done, not just to meet local fire and safety requirements, but to make our house an attractive, comfortable place to live — on par with other university options. Beyond the essentials, we will upgrade the functionality of the space. We will restore the first floor to the standards of the building’s own decade — simple, gracious living space.
Our multi-purpose needs will be met by excavating, expanding and reconfiguring the basement. The overall site plan will be improved. The windows — those windows that set us apart — will be restored.
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As part of this capital campaign, we will strive to establish a maintenance fund, so that we never again have to put off a capital improvement due to lack of money. Undergraduate members will be held accountable for the upkeep of our facility. Supervision policies and procedures are already in place to ensure that this house will always be respected by its occupants as the architectural treasure that it is. We will make this place great again, preserving the Kappa Delta Rho legacy at Penn State. |