One alumnus’ generosity, and the support of its alumni board, led to Beta Mu Chapter at Austin Peay State University being able to renovate their William Alley Activity Center and begin plans for a new chapter house.
Brother Chris Pitts of Beta Mu Chapter stepped up with a very generous offer to fund and manage the renovation of Beta Mu’s William Alley Activity Center when he heard that the chapter house was no longer a fitting space for the brothers.
“If we had to go out and raise funds, just as a general fundraising campaign, it could have probably taken another year or two to do exactly what we want to do to — raise the funds that he has so graciously and generously provided to us,” Brother Keith Hunter, the Beta Mu Alumni Chapter President, said.
Brother Pitts has worked in the self-storage business for 29 years. With this experience, he has managed several construction projects of his own and has a trusted contractor.
“I was surprised one of my brothers, who’s a next-door neighbor, he stopped by one day last April. He was telling me the chapter was down to just a handful of members, and the house was in a state of disrepair. And I said, somebody's got to do something, or that chapter is going to fold,” Brother Pitts said.
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He and Brother Hunter both noted that renovating the Activity Center into a fellowship hall would give the collegiate brothers a place to gather, hold events and do schoolwork, and demolishing the chapter house would improve curb appeal, hopefully boosting recruitment.
Brothers Dale Collings, Noble Ruler of Beta Mu Chapter, and Gage Littleton, VNR-House Operations, shared the changes the chapter made to their Activity Center, including restrooms, a kitchen with new appliances, fellowship area for gathering and studying, an outdoor patio area and more.
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The chapter held a grand re-opening of the facility where roughly 60 alumni attended to see the renovations. The collegiate brothers displayed historical items specific to the chapter for the visiting alumni. Food was provided and attendees were able to tour the renovated facility.
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