Three years later Lambda Chi Alpha’s brothers will move back into their college avenue home.
In 2022 the fraternity suffered a devastating fire that destroyed not just the roof, but the third floor. But it also caused damage to occupants’ belongings, and made it nearly impossible to hold chapter meetings, social events, or build brotherhood. Alumni chapter housing board member Steve Williams says the fraternity’s alumni took on the restoration, while active members focused on recruitment and keeping the brotherhood alive.
So, they took that to heart. And what they did is, they found three or maybe four houses off campus. Where they tried too, they all signed group leases. So they tried to maintain as much continuity as they could. They moved all of their recruiting activities to campus. And the university, along with the other Greek organizations, were fantastic, they gave them space. Other Greek orgs offered to let them use their houses. So it’s a very tight-knit community. And so, our recruitment actually ended up going up. Probably about 25 percent over that three-year period, believe it or not. – Steve Williams Alumni, Lambda Chi Alpha
This weekend alumni of Lambda Chi Alpha and their active membership will celebrate the chapter’s 45th anniversary. Williams says many of the members who lived in the house at the time of the fire have since graduated. He adds the chapter will receive a temporary occupancy permit, and brothers will move in for the first time in three years.
The Lambda Chi Alpha Phi-Phi Chapter was established on Michigan Technological University’s campus in 1980 and moved into 918 college avenue in 2005. Williams says the restoration of the house was made possible through the generosity of other Greek life organizations, the university, and the national organization. He also wanted to thank Gundlach Champion Incorporated for their efforts during the project.
The house was originally built in 1909. 918 College Avenue was designed by the company’s founder Herman Gundlach. Prior to Lambda Chi Alpha purchasing the house it was home to a bed and breakfast.
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