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.

Donate Now

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!
October 2026 · HC 147 is October 23-24

Brothers, Homecoming 2026 is October 23-24!

It would be great to have a good alumni turnout as in years past before Covid...
the actives are excited to host us and are still learning what a strong alumni presence at Homecoming has meant to all! 

Lets support them as we start ramping up activities to get ready for our 150th Anniversary...only 3 years away!

Please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the Beta Eta Fundraising Team or other committee members if you have any questions or concerns.

We are also now on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook-  look us up to keep current on what's going on with the  Beta Eta Alumni Association or the Preservation Fund!

Yours in -kai-
Mark Tremblay '78
BEPF Chair

Campaign Status

Progress Report #3 · As of September 2026

$580,434
pledged of $1,500,000 goal
38.5%
funded
$580,434
Total pledged
76
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

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

Fifty-year lease extension in progress.

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
$5K–$9.9K
Cosmos Club
$139/mo × 36 months
$2K–$4.9K
Pine Room Club
$56/mo × 36 months
$1K–$1.9K
Wooglin's Closet
$28/mo × 36 months
$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.

Campaign at a Glance

As of September 28, 2026

Fundraising Goal
$1.5M
Pledged to Date
$580,434
Donors
76
Cash Available
$206,000

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 September 28, 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
William S. Haines '80
John H. Mitchell '66
David L. Salmon '81
Terrence S. Spurling '84
Peter W. Zimmermann '77
Cosmos Club · $5K–$9.9K
Kenneth T. Doughty '79
Donald W. Kelley '65
John T. Leahy '82
Andrew S. Lally '83
Richard T. Regius '88
Christopher Rush
Michael C. Sullivan '80
Joseph Vogt '82
Pine Room Club · $2K–$4.9K
Francis P. Blasi Jr. '83
Robert E. Brewer '98
Thomas E. Hart '79
James F. Levangie '83
John A. Schaefer '96
Jonathan M. Velishka '96
Brian J. Weber '82
Wooglin's Closet · $1K–$1.9K
Gary Brown '83
Curtis P. Burrill '04
Mark R. Buttarazzi '80
Dennis P. Giustra '80
William B. Gove '06
Frank Haines '77
Louis J. Hardy '81
Joseph F. Hogan '82
Richard D. Hogan '60
Danno S. Hynes '79
Christopher C. Joyce '79
Michael G. Mancini '83
Michael R. Morrison '83
Peter J. Paine '99
Neil Ryan (in Kevin's memory)
Kirk P. St. Peter '79
David M. Summerson '83
Jason E. Tarr '10
James H. Thomas '81
John K. Veroneau '82
Donors · $1–$999
Jared Adams '02
Tanner A. Adams '15
Joseph J. Bennett '81
Damian R. Bolduc '85
Jeremy L. Boron '02
John Charles '57
Richard J. Dennin '81
Peter R. Dumont '94
Brian B. Flynn '79
Joshua B. Fortier '07
Robert W. Gammons '71 (in Pete's memory)
Martin R. Glabus '87
Brian D. Grant '00
Dana M. Guerette '83
Mark W. Hambleton '63
Henry O. Hooper '56
Charles W. Ingalls '01
Reginald T. Lombard III '78
Richard S. Lockhart '81
Jamee M. McLaughlin '22
Brian W. Mulligan '79
John E. Nicholson '97
Richard Oczkowski '97
Ronald E. Otten '67
Bradley K. Peters '81
Scott A. Pettett '97
Lawrence M. Robinson '74
Ernest J. Scheyder '06
Eric Simonds '98
Jonathon Todd '98
Karen Sullivan (Friend of Beta)
Georgia Vallee (Friend of Beta)

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 #3 NEW
September 2026 · $580,434 pledged
📄
Progress Report #2
June 2026 · $70,029 pledged · 76 donors · Construction phases & updated cost estimates
📄
Progress Report #1
As of January 31, 2026 · $28,316 raised · 801 brothers contacted
Jan 2026

Letters & Correspondence

✉️
Letter to President Ferrini-Mundy
June 22, 2026 · Tim O'Neil '79 · Re: Beta Theta Pi campaign & lease extension
Jun 2026 ⬇ Download PDF

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!"

Beta Eta Preservation Fund · Beta Theta Pi · University of Maine, Orono
The BEPF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
mainebeta.org  ·  Questions? housecorp@betaeta.org