Beta Eta Chapter · Beta Theta Pi · UMaine Orono

Beta Shines in 2029!

150 Years at UMaine — Our chance to preserve the House and carry on the legacy

Help us restore our 122-year-old chapter house in time for our 150th anniversary celebration. Our Goal: $1,500,000.

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Introducing the Beta Eta Preservation Fund

Preserve the legacy and mission of the Beta Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Maine at Orono, through the development of and funding for programs and activities to support the Chapter, its members, and the local community.

🏠 Urgent capital improvements to the House
🤝 Beta community philanthropy & support
🎓 Scholarships for actives in good standing
🎉 150th Anniversary celebration
Short-Term Goal: An attractive, sustainable House ready for our 150th Anniversary!
Progress Report #2 · June 2026

A Note from Mark

We have made significant progress since our first update in February. Thanks to the commitment and generosity of several lead donors, as well as others, our fundraising efforts to date have been very positive so far. THANK YOU! We have now grown from the "early stages" of renovation analysis to a more in-depth cost estimation phase. In summary, our Beta House is in need of a complete renovation!

One consistent theme we have heard thus far is that our campaign truly represents a "once in a generation" opportunity to preserve Beta Eta's legacy at UMaine. Our goal is not only to accomplish the renovation of our beloved Beta House, but in addition provide philanthropic support to the University and scholarships for active and future Beta Eta brothers.

"No More Band-Aids! We have 3 years to get this done in time for our 150th Anniversary in Fall 2029."
— Dave Salmon '81

With almost 800 living Beta Eta alums, we truly believe we can meet this challenge. My ask of each of you is to please thoughtfully consider what you can do to help us get there. Please make a commitment today. We need each and every one of you!

Yours in -kai-
Mark Tremblay '78
BEPF Chair

Campaign Status

Progress Report #2 · As of June 2026

$504,000
pledged of $1,500,000 goal
31%
funded
$504,000
Total pledged
47
Donors
$1.5M
Campaign goal
801
Brothers contacted
How to give: Click the Donate Now button on this page to give securely online via Givebutter. For check, wire transfer, or stock transfer earmarked to BEPF, contact us — these are credited to the Preservation Fund and are fully tax-deductible (501c3).

A Home Worth Fighting For

The Beta Eta chapter house at UMaine Orono has been the heartbeat of our brotherhood for decades — a place where friendships were forged, leaders were built, and memories were made that last a lifetime.

"We have a lot of work to do but much interest has been generated and future substantial contributions are forthcoming."

Why Repairing the House Matters

Construction Plan · Progress Report #2 · June 2026

Construction Schedules & Phases

Our 122-year-old House needs a complete renovation. We have 3 years to get this done in time for our 150th Anniversary in Fall 2029.

Phase 1 · Summer 2027
Exterior Restoration & Interior Structural
$600,000
Phase 2 · Summer 2028
Interior Restoration — Living Areas
$700,000
Phase 3 · Summer 2029
Interior Restoration — Main Floor & Pine Room
$200,000+
Total Campaign Goal
$1,500,000

The University has granted a 30-year lease extension to 2054, securing Beta Eta's long-term future on campus.

Detailed estimates

Updated Cost Estimates

Updated scope and cost analysis prepared by our Construction Committee, June 2026.

Scope Details Cost Estimate
Phase 1 · Exterior Restoration
Masonry Repointing & Foundation Foundation maintenance $45,000
Siding, Insulation & New Siding 7,344 sqft · $27/sqft avg $198,288
Porches 2 porches · $37,500 each $75,000
New Windows 62 windows · $1,000 each $62,000
Exterior Rot / Water Damage Repair $50,000
Fire Escape & Structural Fire escape + structural scope $95,000
GC / CM Fee $125/hr + 4% · ~400 hours $69,212
Phase 1 Total $549,500
Phase 2 · Interior Restoration — Living Areas
North Wing 2,560 sqft · $105/sqft $268,800
East Wing 2,000 sqft · $105/sqft $210,000
GC / CM Fee $125/hr + 4% · ~300 hours $56,652
Phase 2 Total $535,452
Phase 3 · Interior Restoration — Main Floor & Pine Room
Chapter Room / LA Quarters 1,024 sqft · $125/sqft $128,000
Living Room 900 sqft · $110/sqft $99,000
Dining Room 600 sqft · $110/sqft $66,000
GC / CM Fee $125/hr + 4% · ~300 hours $49,220
Phase 3 Total $342,220
Project Total + $50,000 contingency · $23,000 other scope $1,427,172

Estimates prepared by our Construction Committee. Contingency ($50,000) and additional scope desires ($23,000) bring total to approximately $1.5M.

Progress update

Some Work Has Already Started

Brothers and actives have been rolling up their sleeves — but these are band-aid fixes while we raise funds for the full renovation.

"These are band-aid fixes meant to keep the House livable before addressing the long-term needs!"
Your contributions mean a lot

Giving Levels & Recognition

We appreciate and want to recognize your generosity. Recurring contributions available monthly, quarterly, or yearly via Givebutter.

$100K–$299.9K
Pillars of Beta Eta
$2,778/mo × 36 months
🏛️ Highest honor — legacy recognition in the House
$50K–$99.9K
Beta Dragons
$1,389/mo × 36 months
🐉 Permanent recognition in the renovated House
$25K–$49.9K
Loving Cup Society
$694/mo × 36 months
🏆 Recognition in the renovated House
$10K–$24.9K
Chapter Room Society
$278/mo × 36 months
🪑 Engraved Beta Captains Chair
(Mlahart Co. — $700 value)
$5K–$9.9K
Cosmos Club
$139/mo × 36 months
⛳ Beta Crest Golf Bag or Beta Simon Pearce Tall Desk Clock
(Mlahart Co. — $250+ value)
$2K–$4.9K
Pine Room Club
$56/mo × 36 months
👕 DriRelease Beta ¼-zip Pullover, Dark Steel Blue
(Beta Shop — $120 value)
$1K–$1.9K
Wooglin's Closet
$28/mo × 36 months
🧢 Beta Crest Baseball Cap (Lt. Blue) or $50 Gift Certificate
(Greek U — $50 value)
$1–$999
Donors
💌 Thank You Card and formal recognition memento in the House
💌
All Donations — Thank You Card and formal recognition memento in the House
💡 Tip: Set up a recurring monthly gift via Givebutter — no processing fees (except ACH). You can also create a team to challenge your peer generation brothers or give in honor/memory of a brother.

* Brothers may opt out of receiving a gift — all proceeds will go directly to the Preservation Fund.

Campaign at a Glance

Progress Report #2 · June 2026

Fundraising Goal
$1.5M
Pledged to Date
$504,000
Donors
47

This is your chance to get on the list and leave your mark on preserving the legacy!

Donate Now

Our Beta Eta Pledge Donor Hall of Fame!!

As of June 17, 2026

Pillars of Beta Eta · $100K–$299.9K
Andrew J. Frawley '84
Peter T. Madigan '81
Timothy M. O'Neil '79
Beta Dragons · $50K–$99.9K
Stephen P. Bishop '79
Michael F. O'Neil '83
Loving Cup Society · $25K–$49.9K
Mark J. Tremblay '78
Chapter Room Society · $10K–$24.9K
John H. Mitchell '66
David L. Salmon '81
Cosmos Club · $5K–$9.9K
Kenneth T. Doughty '79
Donald W. Kelley '65
John T. Leahy '82
Richard T. Regius '88
Michael C. Sullivan '80
Peter W. Zimmermann '77
Pine Room Club · $2K–$4.9K
Thomas E. Hart '79
James F. Levangie '83
Jonathan M. Velishka '96
Wooglin's Closet · $1K–$1.9K
Gary Brown '83
Curtis P. Burrill '04
Mark R. Buttarazzi '80
Frank Haines '77
Louis J. Hardy '81
Richard D. Hogan '60
Danno S. Hynes '79
Michael G. Mancini '83
Gary E. Menchen '72
Peter J. Paine '99
Kirk P. St. Peter '79
Jason E. Tarr '10
James H. Thomas '81
Brian J. Weber '82
Donors · $1–$999
Joseph J. Bennett '81
John Charles '57
Richard J. Dennin '81
Peter R. Dumont '94
Dana M. Guerette '83
Mark W. Hambleton '63
Henry O. Hooper '56
Charles W. Ingalls '01
Richard S. Lockhart '81
Michael R. Morrison '83
Ronald E. Otten '67
Bradley K. Peters '81
Lawrence M. Robinson '74
Eric Simonds '98
Joseph Vogt '82

This is your chance to get on the list and leave your mark on preserving the legacy!

Stay informed

Communications

Progress reports, letters to brothers and alumni, and updates from the Beta Eta Preservation Fund.

Progress Reports

📄
Progress Report #2 NEW
June 2026 · $70,029 pledged · 47 donors · Construction phases & updated cost estimates
Jun 2026 ⬇ Download PDF
📄
Progress Report #1
As of January 31, 2026 · $28,316 raised · 801 brothers contacted
Jan 2026

Letters to Brothers & Alumni

✉️
Introducing the Beta Eta Preservation Fund
4-page brochure mailed Thanksgiving–Christmas 2025 · 801 mailings
Nov 2025
Stay in the loop
Make sure we have your current email and address so you never miss an update.
Update My Info
Progress Report #2 · June 2026

Thanks to Our Volunteers!

The people making Beta Shines in 2029 a reality.

Preservation Fund Board
  • Mark J. Tremblay '78 — Chair
  • Christopher C. Farmer '93 — Legal
  • Peter W. Zimmermann '77 — Philanthropy
  • Michael R. Lemont '10 — Treasurer
  • Keith R. Ward '92 — Chair Emeritus
Fundraising Committee
  • Peter T. Madigan '81
  • Timothy M. Oneil '79
  • Peter W. Zimmermann '77
  • Edward M. Stevens '79
  • David L. Salmon '81
  • Andrew J. Frawley '84
  • Mark J. Tremblay '78
  • Jonathan M. Velishka '96
Construction Committee
  • John A. Shaefer '96
  • Gilbert D. Thibeau '96
  • Timothy M. Oneil '79
  • Peter W. Zimmermann '77
  • Matthew L. Thornton '10
  • Peter R. Dumont '94
  • Mark J. Tremblay '78
Housing Corp
  • Andrew J. DeFillip '06 — President
  • Michael R. Lemont '10 — Treasurer
  • Peter J. Paine '99
  • Danny H. Pham '19
  • Justin W. Vincent '02
  • Peter W. Zimmermann '77
  • Mark J. Tremblay '78
  • Benjamin R. Whitney '03
General Volunteers
  • John T. Leahy '82
  • Michael R. Morrison '83
  • Daniel M. Begin '79
  • Peter R. Dumont '94
150th Anniversary Committee

Alumni Association officially approved by National — May 21, 2026.

Want to help? We need volunteers!

Get in Touch

The Bridge Builder

— W.A. Dromgoole

An old man going a lone highway,
came, at the evening cold and gray,
to a chasm vast and deep and wide,
through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
the sullen stream had no fear for him,
but he turned when safe on the other side
and built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"you are wasting your strength with building here;
your journey will end with the ending day,
you never again will pass this way;
you've crossed the chasm deep and wide,
why build this bridge at evening tide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"there followed after me today,
a youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
to that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
he, too, must cross in the twilight dim,
good friend, I am building this bridge for him!"