FRATERNITY, SCHOOL CITED FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The Southeast Missouri State University chapter of Sigma Pi Kappa honor society for historic preservation recognized renovations made to a historic fraternity house.

The award was presented Thursday to the university's facilities management department and Sigma Nu fraternity for renovations made to the fraternity house, originally known as the Shivelbine House.

"It was a chore to get the renovations done on time, but we were very happy this chapter was moving into the house," said Lisa Howe, facilities management project director.

"They showed a real interest in preserving the house," she said.

The Sigma Nu house was built in 1925 and acquired by facilities management in 1986. The fraternity moved in immediately following renovations, which were completed in August 1998.

Some of the renovation work included fixing water leaks, refinishing the original woodwork, replacement of the stairway banisher, general plastering and window replacement.

The fraternity worked to paint and wallpaper the house. Walls for the division of sleeping quarters also were constructed.

"We saw a lot of potential in the Shivelbine House and didn't want to see it go down," said Bill Hamm, Sigma Nu house director. "It's such a beautiful building. We just didn't want to see it go to waste."

Seventeen fraternity members currently live in the house.

Hamm said the fraternity still plans some finishing touches. "We are really looking forward to this summer so we can add some new windows. We are also looking to landscape the lot."

Sigma Pi Kappa is a national honor society for historic preservation students, faculty and distinguished professionals. It promotes, recognizes and rewards superior achievement in academia and in the actual practice of historic preservation.

The university's Epsilon chapter was founded in 1996 and has 10 members.