Lambda Chi Alpha Celebrates House Renovation, Expansion

Photo by Whit Pruitt.

Casey Simon, president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association, cuts the ribbon to officially dedicate the renovation and expansion of the Gamma Chi chapter's house on Stadium Drive.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Gamma Chi chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha celebrated the dedication of its house’s renovation and expansion on Friday, Nov. 4. The renovation was led by a $2 million gift from the Walton Family Foundation, at the recommendation of Jim Walton and Rob Walton, who are both alumni of the University of Arkansas and the Gamma Chi chapter.

Speakers at the dedication included Bill Farkas, chief executive officer of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity; Casey Simon, president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association; Connor Flocks, Associated Student Government president and member of Lambda Chi Alpha; Nick Beyer, Gamma Chi chapter president; John Beasley, president of the Gamma Chi chapter house corporation and Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for student affairs.

“Greek life continues to thrive at the University of Arkansas and is an excellent opportunity for our students to build lifelong friendships and give back to the campus and community,” said Chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “Lambda Chi has a rich history at the university, and it’s exciting to see them celebrate this legacy with the dedication of their house expansion and renovation. Many people dedicated their time and financial resources to this project, and I know the chapter is grateful for their support.”

Lambda Chi Alpha was founded in 1909 and established at the University of Arkansas in 1923. It recolonized on campus with 30 members in 2002 and now includes more than 140 members. In 2007, the chapter won the Grand High Alpha Award for consistent excellence in recruitment, academics and philanthropy over a three-year period.

The Gamma Chi chapter’s house was built in the early 1950s and was the first fraternity house on Stadium Drive. Its renovation and expansion cost $6.6 million.

“The dedication of our house represented a promise fulfilled by the alumni to the undergraduate members of our fraternity,” said Casey Simon, president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association. “The alumni challenged our actives to excel in academics, philanthropy and campus involvement. The active chapter upheld their end of the bargain from day one, and on Nov. 4, the alumni upheld their promise. As a result, our members have a beautifully renovated traditional chapter house they now call home.”

In addition to the Walton Family Foundation, major contributors to the project include Ken Shollmier of Little Rock; Mary Clare Finney of Dallas on behalf of her late husband, Stanford Finney; Robert A. Young III of Fort Smith; Staley Electric of Benton; and Farmers Bank of Greenwood.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.