Alumns Chip in to Paint and Repair Sigma Chi Heritage House

Contact: Media contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO — When University of Maine graduates who were members of Sigma Chi fraternity return to campus for Homecoming Oct. 3-5, they will have good reason to take pride in the appearance of their fraternity house.  Located on College Ave. across from Chadbourne Hall, the house has received a facelift, largely due to the generous donations of a group of senior alumni.

The house had not been used by the fraternity for years so the fraternity allowed the university to take it over in 1999. Since then, it has been home to the university’s development office.  Current Sigma Chi members and  graduates have continued to use the house for meetings and other activities.  Last fall, many were on hand for the unearthing of a time capsule that had been buried for 50 years in front of the house.

Noting that the exterior of the building had fallen into disrepair, a group of the alumni offered to donate half the cost of sprucing up the building. UMaine matched that contribution and the house’s facade has been repainted while other exterior repairs have been made.

“This group of alumni has been especially helpful and generous in their support of their alma mater,” says Jeffery N. Mills, UMaine’s vice president for advancement and president of the UMaine Alumni Association. 

“Because of the generosity of these fraternity brothers, led by the efforts of Class of 1953 alum Frank Pickering, a win-win situation was created,” says Scott Anchors, UMaine’s director of Advancement/Development and the occupant of one of the building’s offices.  “These efforts make it possible for Sigma Chi Heritage House to continue to stand as a legacy to their affection for UMaine.”