Over the past 72 years, more than 1,300 men have lived at 420 E. Prospect. The house itself—built in 1933, thirteen years after our chapter was founded at Penn State—is an architectural treasure worthy of admiration and preservation in its own right. The men who’ve lived there brought it to life, giving the physical structure a soul that is distinctly KDR.
As alumni, we remember our time and experiences at KDR with pride. But, as we get older, it’s easy to look at changes in the house and the chapter with detachment or even disdain. It’s true that after almost 75 years, the house is not pristine; it’s true that the chapter, like many fraternities at Penn State, has faced adversity. In need of repairs and improvements for the house and continued leadership and support for the chapter, KDR is in the hands of our alumni. We own the house, literally it is ours…our Happy Valley timeshare.
Now, with new energy, new leadership and a major capital campaign, we are embarking on the next 75 years. We have deferred maintenance way too long—72 years have taken their toll. We all have our stories of visiting the house the day after a party—of being disgusted, appalled, and subsequently withholding our support. But frankly, these tired excuses are only contributing to the problem, not helping to solve it. As alumni and owners of the house, we must step up to make the improvements our house and our chapter deserve.
The current actives are good men. They raised $148K for THON in 2005; their grades are better than the All-University average; they endured after losing half the active membership due to a fight with PiKA. They have kept a dry house since last December and will be off probation December 15, 2005. They have recruited 14 new men, embraced new rules and regulations, and have met every financial obligation. Just like Penn State football, despite the doubting fans and the naysayers, they will eventually flourish.
Like football teams and even Fortune 500 businesses, KDR isn’t perfect. And while it may seem so through the veil of memory, it never was. Yet, from KDR, each of us gained something that made our time at Penn State unique. Something we didn’t study in class, something we didn’t find in loose networks of acquaintances on our big campus…something only a living, breathing brotherhood can provide. Some learned how to play on a team, some learned how to stand out. Some learned to be responsible, some learned how to let go and have fun. Whatever you learned at KDR, it undoubtedly influenced the person you are today. KDR is not a perfect place, but it is a special one.
What makes this learning so special to us is the very reason fraternities were started—to provide the social experiences, “emotional intelligence” and leadership skills that can only be gained through the experience of daily fraternity life with 35 other housemates and brothers.
Together, we alumni must decide if the heart of KDR will continue to beat at 420 E. Prospect. We are the stewards of KDR, we will define its future. We will determine if we will recruit quality men so that future generations will find the same unique experience that we found. We will choose to preserve our place for reliving memories at Homecomings and reunions.
Time will continue to change the face of KDR. As with all things in life, there will be good and bad times, wins and losses, achievements and obstacles. But nothing, not even 75 more years, can change what we have all experienced first-hand: the value that comes from being part of KDR Penn State.
The brothers listed on the next page have already made their commitment to KDR’s future by pledging their financial support during the silent phase of our campaign. Now, in our public phase, we hope you will join them. In 1933 alumni pulled together financially to build the house—now, approaching our 75th anniversary at 420 E. Prospect, we are pulling together again to refurbish it.
The possibility of driving by 420 E. Prospect one day and seeing someone else’s letters or a doctor’s office is real. While we cannot put KDR on the top of our giving list every year, this is the year to make a pledge.