House History
Our House stands as a testament to the vision, determination and resourcefulness of the women of Chi Omega and especially of the 1997 House Corporation Board and its then president, Marilyn Morgan.
1978
– The Eta Gamma of Chi Omega House Corporation is incorporated. Joy
Goodwin, Esq. assumes the role of chairperson and authors the first set
of bylaws.
1997 – Punkie Bowker, Chi Omega National Treasurer, asks Marilyn Morgan to recruit members for the House Corporation Board. Elected officers include: Marilyn Morgan, president; Cathy Kennedy, vice-president; Gelene Ellsworth, secretary; Darrell Brannon, treasurer; and Sallie Schirm, member.
1998 – John Palms, president of the University of South Carolina, through the Office of Greek Life, notifies the House Corporation Board that USC Trustees have approved the construction of a Greek Village on land between Assembly and Huger Streets, south of Blossom St. Representatives of House Corporation, Advisory Board and the active chapter, as well as the Chi Omega National Treasurer meet with Jerry Brewer, director of student life, to learn the details of the plan. An architect is consulted and a tea is held to inform alumnae of the building plans. Fund raising sessions are held.
1999 – National PanHellenic Council (NPC) meets and votes to deny construction of Greek Housing for women on the USC campus. House Corporation vice-president, Cathy Kennedy, (after researching NPC’s bylaws) informs House Corporation that a majority vote of the local women’s sororities can override NPC’s denial. Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta, Delta Zeta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma (later joined by Delta Delta Delta) meet to discuss the NPC denial. In November, Chi Omega president, Mary Ann Fruge’, and Treasurer, Susan Roberds, attend a meeting with representatives from local sororities. There is strong opposition to building from the Chi Omega National officers but a compromise is reached.
2000 – Local representatives meet again with the Office of Greek Life. Jerry Brewer works diligently to resolve all differences between USC’s plans and NPC’s desires.
2001 – After months of preparation, a professional fund-raiser is hired to perform a feasibility study related to construction funds.
2002 – The House Corporation Board is disappointed with the results of the feasibility study and decides to attempt a successful fund drive on its own. Mackie O’Keefe is elected president of the House Corporation Board following Marilyn Morgan’s resignation. Marilyn is named President Emeritus. Through the efforts of Cathy Kennedy, Darrell Brannon, and Mackie O’Keefe, a bank loan is obtained for construction. Chi Omega National provided a $180,000 loan for furniture. Anne-Courtney Seigler volunteers as fund raising chairperson and she works with the USC Foundation on behalf of Chi Omega. Alumnae contribute $145,000 of which over $36,00 is pledged from House Corporation members past and present.
In September, ground is broken for the Greek Village including the Chi Omega House.
2003 – Construction of the Chi Omega House begins. In August, 36 Chi Omega actives, along with Yvonne Pumphrey, House Director, move into the House. In October, the House is formally dedicated along with a celebration of Eta Gamma’s 75th anniversary. Bylaws are revised. The House contains 11,500 sq. ft. with 18 rooms joined by shared baths, a foyer, library, study room, lounge, dining room, kitchen, powder room, men’s bathroom and house director’s suite.
2006 – House Director Margaret Malik is hired and remains in the position for six years.
2009 – Original House Mortgage of $1,300,000 is repaid in only 6.5 years
2010 – After seven years of collegians living in the House as well as an increasing Chapter membership, it becomes apparent that more space is needed in the kitchen and dining room. More meeting rooms and bathrooms are also needed. A Building Committee was formed to explore adding on to the house and an architect was hired.
2011 – Late in the year, construction of an addition to the Chi Omega House begins.
2012 – Construction of the addition is completed in July. An additional 3,000 square feet is added to the house consisting of an expanded kitchen and dining room, Executive Board meeting room, a craft room, two bathrooms and more storage space on the first and second floors at a cost of $1,003,000. House Corporation is able to use savings and reserves to fund almost one third of the cost of the addition and a four-year mortgage is obtained for the balance of $650,000.
2013 – House Director, Margaret Malik retires in May. In August, she is inducted into the Chi Omega sisterhood at a special initiation ceremony. A position search is conducted by House Corporation and Cynthia Newman is hired as the new House Director. The mortgage for the addition is paid in full at the end of the year.
2017 – Common areas of the House, including the foyer, Parlor, and TV Lounge were completely redecorated.
2018 – Residential rooms undergo a complete transformation with new flooring, fresh paint, new bathroom sinks, vanities, and granite countertops.
1997 – Punkie Bowker, Chi Omega National Treasurer, asks Marilyn Morgan to recruit members for the House Corporation Board. Elected officers include: Marilyn Morgan, president; Cathy Kennedy, vice-president; Gelene Ellsworth, secretary; Darrell Brannon, treasurer; and Sallie Schirm, member.
1998 – John Palms, president of the University of South Carolina, through the Office of Greek Life, notifies the House Corporation Board that USC Trustees have approved the construction of a Greek Village on land between Assembly and Huger Streets, south of Blossom St. Representatives of House Corporation, Advisory Board and the active chapter, as well as the Chi Omega National Treasurer meet with Jerry Brewer, director of student life, to learn the details of the plan. An architect is consulted and a tea is held to inform alumnae of the building plans. Fund raising sessions are held.
1999 – National PanHellenic Council (NPC) meets and votes to deny construction of Greek Housing for women on the USC campus. House Corporation vice-president, Cathy Kennedy, (after researching NPC’s bylaws) informs House Corporation that a majority vote of the local women’s sororities can override NPC’s denial. Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta, Delta Zeta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Chi Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma (later joined by Delta Delta Delta) meet to discuss the NPC denial. In November, Chi Omega president, Mary Ann Fruge’, and Treasurer, Susan Roberds, attend a meeting with representatives from local sororities. There is strong opposition to building from the Chi Omega National officers but a compromise is reached.
2000 – Local representatives meet again with the Office of Greek Life. Jerry Brewer works diligently to resolve all differences between USC’s plans and NPC’s desires.
2001 – After months of preparation, a professional fund-raiser is hired to perform a feasibility study related to construction funds.
2002 – The House Corporation Board is disappointed with the results of the feasibility study and decides to attempt a successful fund drive on its own. Mackie O’Keefe is elected president of the House Corporation Board following Marilyn Morgan’s resignation. Marilyn is named President Emeritus. Through the efforts of Cathy Kennedy, Darrell Brannon, and Mackie O’Keefe, a bank loan is obtained for construction. Chi Omega National provided a $180,000 loan for furniture. Anne-Courtney Seigler volunteers as fund raising chairperson and she works with the USC Foundation on behalf of Chi Omega. Alumnae contribute $145,000 of which over $36,00 is pledged from House Corporation members past and present.
In September, ground is broken for the Greek Village including the Chi Omega House.
2003 – Construction of the Chi Omega House begins. In August, 36 Chi Omega actives, along with Yvonne Pumphrey, House Director, move into the House. In October, the House is formally dedicated along with a celebration of Eta Gamma’s 75th anniversary. Bylaws are revised. The House contains 11,500 sq. ft. with 18 rooms joined by shared baths, a foyer, library, study room, lounge, dining room, kitchen, powder room, men’s bathroom and house director’s suite.
2006 – House Director Margaret Malik is hired and remains in the position for six years.
2009 – Original House Mortgage of $1,300,000 is repaid in only 6.5 years
2010 – After seven years of collegians living in the House as well as an increasing Chapter membership, it becomes apparent that more space is needed in the kitchen and dining room. More meeting rooms and bathrooms are also needed. A Building Committee was formed to explore adding on to the house and an architect was hired.
2011 – Late in the year, construction of an addition to the Chi Omega House begins.
2012 – Construction of the addition is completed in July. An additional 3,000 square feet is added to the house consisting of an expanded kitchen and dining room, Executive Board meeting room, a craft room, two bathrooms and more storage space on the first and second floors at a cost of $1,003,000. House Corporation is able to use savings and reserves to fund almost one third of the cost of the addition and a four-year mortgage is obtained for the balance of $650,000.
2013 – House Director, Margaret Malik retires in May. In August, she is inducted into the Chi Omega sisterhood at a special initiation ceremony. A position search is conducted by House Corporation and Cynthia Newman is hired as the new House Director. The mortgage for the addition is paid in full at the end of the year.
2017 – Common areas of the House, including the foyer, Parlor, and TV Lounge were completely redecorated.
2018 – Residential rooms undergo a complete transformation with new flooring, fresh paint, new bathroom sinks, vanities, and granite countertops.
2019 - Video and sound system installed in the main dining hall to facilitate meetings and group presentations.
2020 - Air conditioning and de-humidifying upgrades installed; kitchen and dining areas reconfigured to accommodate Covid 19 requirements.
2021 - Paint, Paint, Paint!