This is the house closest to Rec Hall. Have a great uncle and 2nd cousin that were members.
AZ frat house on Fire
- Thread starter SleepyLion
- Start date
Nice property...err house you kids have here. Shame if something happened to it.
That was my first thought too. That's some prime real estate the university would love to regain control of. But the Old Main Mafia would never do something like that. Or would they??
But seriously, I hope it's damage which can be repaired. Would anyone be there at this time of year??
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With it being Arts fest I'd say yes.That was my first thought too. That's some prime real estate the university would love to regain control of. But the Old Main Mafia would never do something like that. Or would they??
But seriously, I hope it's damage which can be repaired. Would there be anyone there at this time of year??
They ran Phi Delt and Beta out didn't they? It's not like there isn't precedent here.That was my first thought too. That's some prime real estate the university would love to regain control of. But the Old Main Mafia would never do something like that. Or would they??
First step in burning the campus down to the ground?
I’d be hesitant to live in Phi Gamma Delta or Signa Nu without a personal smoke alarm and escape plan
"Outdated Wiring" fires rarely happen when real estate values are low.
It does, but you just don't hear about it. Think large parts of Detroit, for one. Its instructive to use Google Maps streetview to "walk" through some city streets there. You'll see only one or two houses in a block that are intact in some areas.
The bigger news from that link is that the Duck Donuts in State College closed permanently.
That's too bad, the heavily damaged part I mean. No doubt the university doesn't want a fire damaged, unused shell of a house setting in the middle of campus indefinitely. The odds are good that university lawyers will be in touch with fraternity lawyers today or Monday to talk about the future. I have no idea what the insurance/financial situation if the frat is but maybe the cost of repair will be too much.
You may be thinking of Sigma Nu which is/was the other house near Rec Hall. IIRC, there were some problems with the PSU chapter but I have no idea where that all stands.
Sigma Nu to return to Penn State in fall 2026
The Delta Delta chapter of the Sigma Nu fraternity will return to Penn State at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester after almost eight years of suspension, according to
Don't forget Fiji. Another nice little spot. Hope they're choir boys these days.
It's been nearly 30 years but AZ was an agriculture based frat. One of my friends was in it and nearly all members were animal science, forestry, ag engineering types at that time. May have changed but I believe it still is.
Trustee Espenshade was a member I believe, and possibly Cairns, though I am not sure. I met him at a function there but he was an alum, so not sure if he was actually a member or just a friend of one.
Will be interesting to see how they handle this regarding rebuild vs selling to the school.
Trustee Espenshade was a member I believe, and possibly Cairns, though I am not sure. I met him at a function there but he was an alum, so not sure if he was actually a member or just a friend of one.
Will be interesting to see how they handle this regarding rebuild vs selling to the school.
I am middle class. I should have been more specific and included "in a prime real estate area" in my post. On top of that, it was a joke. Does PSU want all those fraternities gone? You betcha. Would they set one on fire? I doubt it.
Close. Wrong HS. I'm fortunate I live where I am for sure. Marcinski/Dog Beach is about the best on the east coast due to the gulf stream.Mt. Nittany grew up in the golf world, lives in high rent Florida, went to highschool with the nickname the Millionaires......he is as middle class as Barron Trump....
You do remember I'm shining irons 3 days a week to pay my taxes and Dick Yuengling, right?
Noooooo! Not Duck Donuts!The bigger news from that link is that the Duck Donuts in State College closed permanently.
I saw this photo in a CDT article. It looks like some pretty significant damage, not to mention smoke and water damage elsewhere. I'm not an insurance adjuster but it seems the cost of repair would be enormous. I'd bet the fraternity, the insurance company, and the university have already had discussions. No way Old Main wants a fire damaged eyesore right in the middle of campus, especially beside one of the more prominent buildings.
AZ members moving into the Delta Chi house for the year.
CDT is subscription so I am including the text as well as a link.
AZ to DX
Members of Penn State’s Alpha Zeta fraternity have a new temporary home after a fire heavily damaged their historic chapter house last month. The fraternity has reached an agreement to live at the vacant Delta Chi fraternity house on East Fairmount Avenue for the fall and spring semesters, Alpha Zeta President Jacob William Straw told the Centre Daily Times. The move will allow members displaced by the July 9 fire to continue living together while repairs for the damaged house at 360 N. Burrowes St. are expected to be completed by the fall 2027 semester. “Everyone is optimistic and happy about this outcome. I think this is the best possible scenario that could have played out, and I’m very happy that we can all stay together,” Straw said. The fire damaged the third floor and attic of the century-old Alpha Zeta house and caused water damage throughout the building. The house was vacant during the summer and undergoing construction when workers called to report a fire that began in the attic, Shawn Kauffman, Centre County regional fire protection director, previously told the CDT. No injuries were reported, and the Centre Region Fire Marshal determined the fire was unintentional. With the house unavailable for now, Straw said keeping the fraternity together was the priority, rather than having members scattered across apartments or off-campus housing. The Delta Chi fraternity house became available after the chapter was suspended by Penn State in April for four years following hazing violations. An adjustment into new home Members are expected to move into the Delta Chi house the week before Penn State’s fall semester begins on Aug. 24. Straw said the fraternity’s focus is maintaining the traditions, relationships and sense of community members built at the Alpha Zeta house despite the temporary relocation. The Delta Chi house can accommodate about 33 people — larger than Alpha Zeta’s previous house, which had 10 bedrooms, Straw said. About 15 members currently plan to live in the temporary house, though that number could increase as some members consider ending existing leases to move into the fraternity house. The Delta Chi house includes a shared kitchen where Alpha Zeta members can prepare meals together and continue its shared meal program, which was one of the biggest concerns following the fire. “We have a place where we can now cook and prepare all the meals and have food ready for everyone,” Straw said. “If we all had to find our own apartments, that would have been a major issue.” What is changing for Alpha Zeta? However, the temporary housing arrangement will come with additional costs. The Delta Chi house is larger and more expensive than Alpha Zeta’s previous chapter house, meaning members will pay higher rent while living there, Straw said. Alpha Zeta launched a GoFundMe fundraiser after the fire to help cover increased rent and relocation expenses. It’s raised nearly $15,000 so far, and Straw said the fundraiser is expected to remain active through move-in week or the beginning of the school year. Straw added that the move will also create challenges for fraternity recruitment. Alpha Zeta’s original house, located on the west side of campus, was a familiar location for prospective members to attend during their rush campaigns. Straw said the downtown location may require additional outreach to make potential new members aware of the change. “Rush will still happen,” Straw said. “We’re just going to have to communicate more and make sure people know where we are.” Following the fire, Alpha Zeta members and alumni returned to the property to recover memorabilia, composites and other historical items. The fraternity said those materials are being stored safely while members determine what can be restored. Alpha Zeta, a national professional honorary agricultural fraternity, was established at Penn State in 1898. Its Burrowes Street house, built in 1915, is the second-oldest fraternity house at University Park, according to the fraternity’s website. You can contribute to Alpha Zeta’s GoFundMe campaign by visiting https://gofund.me/e89917982.
CDT is subscription so I am including the text as well as a link.
AZ to DX
Members of Penn State’s Alpha Zeta fraternity have a new temporary home after a fire heavily damaged their historic chapter house last month. The fraternity has reached an agreement to live at the vacant Delta Chi fraternity house on East Fairmount Avenue for the fall and spring semesters, Alpha Zeta President Jacob William Straw told the Centre Daily Times. The move will allow members displaced by the July 9 fire to continue living together while repairs for the damaged house at 360 N. Burrowes St. are expected to be completed by the fall 2027 semester. “Everyone is optimistic and happy about this outcome. I think this is the best possible scenario that could have played out, and I’m very happy that we can all stay together,” Straw said. The fire damaged the third floor and attic of the century-old Alpha Zeta house and caused water damage throughout the building. The house was vacant during the summer and undergoing construction when workers called to report a fire that began in the attic, Shawn Kauffman, Centre County regional fire protection director, previously told the CDT. No injuries were reported, and the Centre Region Fire Marshal determined the fire was unintentional. With the house unavailable for now, Straw said keeping the fraternity together was the priority, rather than having members scattered across apartments or off-campus housing. The Delta Chi fraternity house became available after the chapter was suspended by Penn State in April for four years following hazing violations. An adjustment into new home Members are expected to move into the Delta Chi house the week before Penn State’s fall semester begins on Aug. 24. Straw said the fraternity’s focus is maintaining the traditions, relationships and sense of community members built at the Alpha Zeta house despite the temporary relocation. The Delta Chi house can accommodate about 33 people — larger than Alpha Zeta’s previous house, which had 10 bedrooms, Straw said. About 15 members currently plan to live in the temporary house, though that number could increase as some members consider ending existing leases to move into the fraternity house. The Delta Chi house includes a shared kitchen where Alpha Zeta members can prepare meals together and continue its shared meal program, which was one of the biggest concerns following the fire. “We have a place where we can now cook and prepare all the meals and have food ready for everyone,” Straw said. “If we all had to find our own apartments, that would have been a major issue.” What is changing for Alpha Zeta? However, the temporary housing arrangement will come with additional costs. The Delta Chi house is larger and more expensive than Alpha Zeta’s previous chapter house, meaning members will pay higher rent while living there, Straw said. Alpha Zeta launched a GoFundMe fundraiser after the fire to help cover increased rent and relocation expenses. It’s raised nearly $15,000 so far, and Straw said the fundraiser is expected to remain active through move-in week or the beginning of the school year. Straw added that the move will also create challenges for fraternity recruitment. Alpha Zeta’s original house, located on the west side of campus, was a familiar location for prospective members to attend during their rush campaigns. Straw said the downtown location may require additional outreach to make potential new members aware of the change. “Rush will still happen,” Straw said. “We’re just going to have to communicate more and make sure people know where we are.” Following the fire, Alpha Zeta members and alumni returned to the property to recover memorabilia, composites and other historical items. The fraternity said those materials are being stored safely while members determine what can be restored. Alpha Zeta, a national professional honorary agricultural fraternity, was established at Penn State in 1898. Its Burrowes Street house, built in 1915, is the second-oldest fraternity house at University Park, according to the fraternity’s website. You can contribute to Alpha Zeta’s GoFundMe campaign by visiting https://gofund.me/e89917982.
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