Lodge Alumni Brothers,
Starting in November, we reached out to Alpha Omicron’s generous alumni to seek help in paying down the current mortgage on the New Lodge at UVA to a level that would offset the anticipated interest rate increase. We are very happy to report that the fundraising effort was extremely successful, and we have accomplished our goal for mortgage reduction. Thank you to all Lodge Alumni who contributed to this important campaign!
Our goal was to pay down the mortgage by $175,000 so that the March 2026 interest rate increase would not affect the monthly mortgage payment. We raised just over $90,000 in new donations from our alumni, which was short of the goal, but the shortfall was offset by a combination of grants from the Chi Psi (National) Educational Trust totaling $85,000. These grants were in recognition of the significant renovation investment we made five years ago in portions of the New Lodge which are considered educational and study spaces. Of course, we all know from our shared experience at UVA that 100% of the Lodge can be considered “educational space” in many respects. Regardless, our prior investment in a dedicated common study space plus the study space in individual rooms enabled us to secure grants from the Chi Psi Educational Trust, which worked to our great benefit on this fundraising effort.
Thus, a round of loud clicks is owed to all Omicron Alumni who contributed to this critically important fundraising drive, as well as to the Chi Psi Educational Trust for getting us to the target fundraising goal. Please keep the Chi Psi Educational Trust in mind when they periodically shake the “Alumni Money Tree.” They do great things for lodges across the country and have helped Alpha Omicron immensely over the past decade.
Once again, Omicron Alumni have collectively come through for the New Lodge at UVA in a time of need. We cannot thank you enough for your generous support.
Yours in the bonds,
Randy Spotswood (Com class of ’77)
Alpha Omicron Fundraising Team
jrspotswood@outlook.com