Campaign Timeline 1994–2017

  • 1994 - A study conducted by Andre Martecchini '78 concludes that purchasing a new house is not feasible, and in the long-term, ISWZA will need to embark on a major campaign to rehabilitate or rebuild 125 Edgemoor Lane.
  • 1998 - An AIFC-sponsored inspection of the house by Einhorn, Yaffee & Prescott identifies deficiencies in the kitchen, utility, and life safety facilities. Doug Levens '92 is appointed to recruit volunteers for a long-term capital campaign.
  • 2001 - Levens is elected president of ISWZA. He initiates reforms to make the alumni organization more capable of conducting a long-term capital campaign.
  • 2003 – The General Fraternity conducts a national fundraising feasibility study. ISWZA lobbies to have this study form the basis of the study for Omicron, but Cornell rejects the proposal.
  • 2007 - “100 Years of Mug and Jug” event demonstrates continuing interest in the chapter across generations of alumni.
  • 2008 - Levens steps down as alumni president to focus on the campaign, succeeded by Jason Cho '98.
  • 2009 – Sandy Gilbert '63 coordinates a large gathering of brothers from the 1960s at the 2009 Homecoming Weekend. Sandy Gilbert and Ralph Wilhelm '67, recently retired from the Grand High Zeta, agree to co-chair the campaign.
  • 2010 - Campaign planning committee is formed. John Zelenka '03 and Mo Jardaneh '09 begin work on an alumni survey, seeking intelligence on engagement, and to produce Omicron’s first alumni directory since 1996.
  • 2011 - After reviewing proposals and interviewing Skystone Partners, Stewart Howe Alumni Service, and McElroy & Associates, ISWZA selects Greg McElroy and McElroy & Associates to conduct a full fundraising feasibility study for the campaign.

    Edgemoor Leadership Foundation is incorporated.

    McElroy & Associates presents its study and case statement, and is engaged by ISWZA to conduct the campaign.
  • 2012 – The Campaign receives formal endorsements from Cornell University and Lambda Chi Alpha Headquarters. The Campaign Committee begins searching for seed donors for the quiet phase of the campaign.

    Design and construction companies are interviewed. JHL Tecture is engaged to make initial drawings and provide a project scope.
  • 2013 – Campaign Committee reviews five preliminary proposals and project tradeoffs presented by Philip Prigmore '69 from JHL Tecture. The selected design is for a four-story addition and reconfiguration.

    Undergraduate housing for 2014–2015 is negotiated. Construction loans are negotiated.

    Public campaign is officially announced at the Omicron Zeta Centennial Celebration in October.
  • 2014 – Contractor bidding/selection concludes: ISWZA selects Welliver of Montour Falls, N.Y. as pgeneral contractor.

    Undergraduates vacate the house and temporarily relocate to 1 Edgecliff Place.

    A small groundbreaking ceremony is held in June at Reunion. Construction begins in earnest in July, starting with demolition of the old dining room, followed by foundation work on the new wing.
  • 2015 – Construction continues, hampered by a winter severe even by Ithaca standards. In March, undergraduate and alumni brothers are given a tour of the construction site, and again in June at Reunion.

    Construction is repeatedly delayed, delaying move-in for the undergraduates. Private rooms are opened just before classes begin, and move-in is completed in earnest over Labor Day weekend.

    The Grand Re-opening is celebrated at Homecoming Weekend in September.
  • 2016 – Work continues on construction defects and on improving the bathrooms.
  • 2017 – The first floor women’s bathroom is renovated, funded through the generosity of the wives of many ’60s alumni..