Lambda Chi Alpha | Alpha-Gamma ZeTA

Fraternity life remains popular at the University of South Dakota where more than one-in-four collegiate men are Greek. Though our chapter has one of the most celebrated histories of any fraternity at the University of South Dakota, we have fallen behind in recent years. Simply put, our home is in disrepair and is adversely affecting our chapter's ability to be successful on USD's campus today.

Built in 1931 and purchased from Alpha Phi in 1937, our house at the corner of Pine and Plum has been home to nearly 2,000 men over the past century. The most major expansion was completed in 1965 and, even without adjusting for inflation, well north of $1M in renovations have been completed over the life of our home. Despite these investments, our lot is currently valued at $120,000, of which $90,000 is the land alone.

This is not the first or the last time Lambda Chi has been called to adapt. Through two World Wars and Vietnam, economic crisis and the rise of the internet, Animal House and the end of 3.2 beer, social media and social isolation—Lambda Chi has persevered. This is no accident.

Lambda Chi Alpha continues to exist because young men need a home away from home. If we had it all figured out at that age, there would be no need for what Lambda Chi offers. And if, all these years later, we were not grateful, we would not continue to give back.

We have been able to navigate past challenges only through the support of alumni volunteers and donors. This will be no less true as we look to the future, where the Alumni Council—which includes the Alumni Association, Alumni Advisory Board, and House Corporation—will work to connect our Brothers, support our undergraduate leadership, and strengthen the home we share.