Alumni from a Greek house that no longer exists on Hillsdale’s campus are donating land to create a permanent space for students to use for decades to come.
The Phi Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association has agreed to hand over the land between the Paul House and the parking lot of the Mu Alpha fraternity, where events like Centralhallapalooza are held. A new, permanent pavilion structure will be built to celebrate the fraternity, Greek life, and the student body.
“From the time the Phi Sig alumni approached the college about their intention of gifting their land and their great idea of working together to plan, fundraise and ultimately build a beautiful facility, they have been an absolute pleasure to work with,” said Chief Administrative Officer Rich Péwé.
Founded at Hillsdale in 1965, the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity has a long history on campus. The property on Hillsdale Street was established in 1968 and has been in the alumni association’s name since.
Ross Anderson ’79 served as president of the fraternity during his last two years of college. He is a member of the Phi Sig alumni association and is helping to oversee the pavilion project.
“We were a strong fraternity on campus. It was a vibrant group of guys,” Anderson said. “We were close-knit and proud of the way we conducted ourselves.”
In 1990, the Phi Sig alumni association closed the Hillsdale chapter.
“As an alumni association, we saw things changing with our members,” he said. “A few years later, we made the difficult decision, because the house had fallen into disrepair, to take it down.”
Despite the chapter deactivating, the Phi Sig alumni kept attending annual homecoming celebrations.
“We never stopped,” Anderson said. “There has always been some group of us that would show up to express appreciation at homecoming. Coming back year after year after year is just something that we’re really proud of.”
The group has an agreement allowing the college to use the land as it wants in exchange for assistance during homecoming. This includes putting up tents, delivering firewood, and providing a grill.
“We wanted a permanent structure on that property that would preserve our legacy, honor the Greek system on campus, and be a safe meeting place for people,” Anderson said.
Anderson and Doug McPherson, president of the Phi Sig alumni association, along with others, began working with the administration to plan and design the pavilion in 2019.
“Our annual meeting always ended with the same discussion: what are we going to do with the lot,” McPherson said. “Some suggestions were undoable, like building a retirement home for Phi Sigs,” he said.
Péwé said the college is “honored” by the “goodwill” the group has shown. He added the pavilion will have a “very positive impact” on campus and in the community.
“Their vision of a pavilion that will support Greek activities and a multitude of other student-centered activities is just right,” he said. “I am elated that the Phi Sigs and their families will be spending more time on campus and will be even more connected to their alma mater.”