by Ken Jacobsen '66, Reunion Organizer
On Wednesday, May 7, alumni brothers from the Class of ’64 will be returning to State College to enjoy golf, dining, a tour of the house and opportunities to reconn
by Ken Jacobsen '66, Reunion Organizer
On Wednesday, May 7, alumni brothers from the Class of ’64 will be returning to State College to enjoy golf, dining, a tour of the house and opportunities to reconnect and resurrect memories.
Approximately 16 brothers, several accompanied by their wives, will arrive on the afternoon of May 7 and will settle in at Toftrees. Thursday, May 8, will begin with a morning golf outing. This will be followed by a visit to the house around 2:00 p.m. Following a tour of the house, Bob Martin ’87 will meet the group in the large club room and provide some information about the recolonization and renovation efforts. A dinner is being planned for the evening at Toftrees.
The '60s were memorable times at Chi Phi and Penn State. In 1964, the student population was approximately 17,000. The house was full, and we had a pledge class of 24 that became brothers. The house was beautiful in the early '60s; parties were well monitored, and we even had a live-in housemother. The house was closed in 2008 because a sprinkler system was not installed per code.
At a time when selling the house was being considered, an alumni drive took place and raised over $1.4 million to renovate the house. When I saw the house in the summer of 2011, it almost broke my heart to see how much interior damage had occurred. The house has now been completely renovated, refurnished and upgraded to meet today’s technology and security concerns. In my estimation, it looks even better than when I left in 1964. I want my pledge class to know and see that the tradition lives on. Everyone has a lot of fond memories and stories (some of which can't be put in print), and touring the new house this May will jolt some of those memories back to reality.
Any questions about the reunion can be directed to me at kenneth.jacobsen@comcast.net.
