The Zeta House
Hear It Calling
Our History - 1960s
The 1960’s were a time of great growth for the LSU Greek system as well as our newly formed Delta Kappa Chapter. In 1964, just 6 years after being chartered, Delta Kappa pledged quota in Fall Rush, formally pledging 53 girls. Zeta became the first sorority on LSU’s campus to take quota in fewer than 15 years. Chapters were experiencing membership between 75 and 150 girls, and outgrowing the Panhellenic Building.
LSU’s Dean Helen Gordon was ready for the houses. She realized the University’s need for housing for thousands of girls going through rush and there was a shortage of dorm rooms.
When Zeta was admitted as a colony, they were told they would be expected to build a house within 5 years of 1959. They started building in 1964 and moved in, in 1965. The preparations to build began in 1959. A housing allowance was charged to raise money for the building fund. They also began receiving memorials dedicated to the building fund. The Louisiana alums, especially those in Baton Rouge were determined to assist in getting this house built.
When the present sites were allocated for the construction of sorority houses, 13 sororities submitted completed plans and specifications, a proposed budget for financing the construction of the house and a proposed operating budget for 1965-66 to the finance, building and grounds committee. It was stipulated that no house constructed on the leased grounds could cost less than $100,000 or more than $225,000. Today, the Delta Kappa House is valued at over $2.5 million.
Mrs. Ferguson was asked to organize the building of the Zeta House and the establishment of the House Corporation. The alumnae by this time had grown from 9 to 40 in just a few years, and were eager to assist in all aspects of construction and planning to make their dream become a reality. She had the full support of our National officers especially Mrs. Winton Jenkins, affectionately known as “Jinks”.
Dean Gordon set up a committee of five from various sorority house corporations who had prior experience. Luckily for Zeta, Mrs. Ferguson had been Province President and had supervised three house chapters and was asked to serve on the committee. Things were beginning to look up!!!!
As President of the House Corporation, Mrs. Ferguson discussed all aspects of the house design and rules. She worked closely with the girls and asked their opinion. They wanted a Louisiana style house, but not too southern colonial.
Zeta husbands were instrumental in the House project. Dr. O.J. Baker, Dean of the School of Architecture served as Architect. Charles Nunn was the Interior Designer and Ben Downing was the Attorney. In addition, Mrs. Ferguson had the support of her brother, Beverly Covington who was not only on the Civil Engineering faculty, but he was also the husband of a Zeta. Fortunately the Zetas had married intelligent and capable men!
In interviews over the years, Mrs. Ferguson has recanted the excitement that everyone shared over the drawing of the lots. The property was on the very end of the campus and some of the lots were very swampy and needed a lot of fill. Others were on higher ground and could be built on immediately and were therefore, less costly. Beverly Covington, had warned his sister about the pros and cons of each lot before the drawing. “Whatever you do Marion, don’t draw lot #9! “
On March 24, 1964, Mrs. Ferguson accompanied by alums Sara Downing, Faye Upp, and Ginny Baker went to the Board of Supervisors’ office for the drawing of the lots. All the lots had been numbered. They began with lot#1, which is now Phi Mu. The ZTAs drew lot #9, which was on the corner. Mrs. Ferguson actually drew the number. At the same time, they signed a lease with LSU for 99 years for one dollar. They knew that the lot that was drawn had some difficult problems. Her brother’s specialty was foundations, and he wanted to work with Dr. Baker. The lot was “literally lacking scads of ground,” recalls Mrs. Ferguson. The sorority had to put money into dirt and land. They were planning on constructing and extremely heavy foundation. They had discussed the situation before anything went on the drawing board.
Mrs. Ferguson felt that the drawing of the lots was handled fairly, and that all of the houses on sorority row are beautiful. There was one lot that nobody wanted, it truly was on a swamp and had to be drained; but today she cannot remember which lot it is. The first six months was spent hauling dirt and leveling the property. LSU did not pay for this part. Of the $225,000 allowed, much of Zeta's money went into the foundation.
In the Official Minutes of an August 13, 1964 Delta Kappa House Corporation meeting Mrs. Ferguson reports on the progress of the house construction.
Dear Board Members,
I will attempt to give a progress report in order to bring all of you up-to-date on what has been done. I have attended numerous meetings with University officials, made numerous calls on lending agents, insurance companies, our attorney, our architect, our engineering consultant, and other businesspersons whose services are needed in projects such as this. I have discussed some matters with our interior designer, but as that part of the project will come later and will be handled by the building and furnishings committee.
Fortunately, everything was prepared in good order and presented to the University on November 16. We have received the lease for our lot from the University, but we will not execute the lease until after the bids are received and we see for sure what our approximate date for actual construction will be. The bids will be opened at Mr. Baker’s office at 4pm, Monday, December 7. PLEASE ATTEND THE OPENING IF YOU CAN.
Since the entire time since our Board has been in operation, I have called on “Jenks” to guide me in every move. She has told me the “next move to make” on just about a week-to-week basis. Also, I know that you would be very impressed, as I have been, when the gentlemen with whom I’ve dealt on the loan have commented in such complimentary fashion of the way in which “Jenks” has prepared all of our financial statements, the chapter and corporation budgets, etc.
Our biggest job ahead is raising additional funds, and I feel confident that we will not have any trouble meeting our goal here, either.
My heartfelt thanks to all!
Loyally,
MarionCan you just imagine the courage, tenacity and commitment…and just think it had only been a little over four years since the chapter had been installed. Kappa Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, and Chi Omega had been on the LSU campus for 55, 50, and 46 years respectively.
The specifications for building the house: “Rules on top of rules, on top of rules, on top of rules,” recalled Mrs. Ferguson. They were all a necessary part of the process.
In a moving letter to Mrs. H. Winton Jenkins, Zeta National Secretary-Treasurer, dated August 18, 1964 Mrs. Ferguson writes:
“Now, Jenks, for some heart-to-heart talk just between the two of us; I’m not kidding, I’m scared silly-about this money business. For the life of me, I don’t know in heaven’s name how the local Zetas can raise $7,000-$10,000 before we can begin construction, in order to occupy by September, 1965. From what Baker and Ben Downing tell me, we’ve got to be among the first groups to build in order to get lower bids, etc. for there aren’t but 5 or 6 contractors locally who can handle jobs as big as these houses. As soon as they get real busy they’ll up the bids. Besides with the typical Louisiana rain we’ll have many, many days of no work. Even if we do get started prior to the March ’65 deadline, we’ll do amazingly well if we get completed by the following Sept. It’d be better to get completed by Aug., in order for the furnishings etc. to be placed. Oh My!!!!!! And, more worries, speaking of the furnishings!!!!! “
Please let me hear from you as soon as possible.
Thanks!!!!!! Love, Marion
Photo Gallery...scroll over to see caption, click on picture to enlarge.
