Dale Harrington ’58 (left) and Don Wilkinson ’64 listen to awards presentation at December meeting of Biking Sigs/Road Scholars at Arturo Joe’s, located near the URI campus. (Courtesy of Claude Trottier 60′.)
Recognized for Re-establishing Fraternity Chapter House
By Claude Trottier and Les Conklin
Members of the Biking Sig/Road Scholars presented The Peak Award to Dale G. Harrington ’58 and Donald P Wilkinson ’64 at the group’s December luncheon. Harrington and Wilkinson were honored because of their efforts that resulted in the construction and opening of a new Sigma Chi fraternity house at the University of Rhode Island (URI). The luncheon, which was held at Arturo Joe’s restaurant, located in Narragansett, Rhode Island, was a festive affair. Those who were unable to attend showed their appreciation by sending congratulatory messages from all over the US and Europe.
The new Sigma Chi fraternity house is located on Fraternity Circle on the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston, Rhode Island. The house was officially completed in 2015. (Courtesy of Claude Trottier ’60.)
Dale Harrington provided outstanding leadership and management services. As a result, all essential project goals were met. He was instrumental in recruiting a viable group of future brothers for re-establishing the Sigma Chi chapter at the university. He ensured, by raising funds and securing long-term financial support, that the new fraternity house could be constructed and operated after it was opened. He assisted in the design of the building. He was responsible for its construction, equipment selection, furnishing, even hiring the live-in house director. Along the way, a variety of challenges were encountered, such as the contractor falling behind schedule on construction, meaning students might not have a place to live as promised. Harrington consistently provided the necessary leadership that brought success.
Don Wilkinson served as a subcontractor to the architect for all the mechanical and electrical design of the new fraternity house. In addition, he closely followed the construction of the house from inception to completion. Don is active in both the URI chapter of Sigma Chi and the national organization. He was awarded in 2011 the Order of Constantine for his 25 years of service to the fraternity. The Order of Constantine is awarded annually to a few individuals who have shown commitment, dedication, and service. It is the highest honor that Sigma Chi bestows on its members.
Background
Sigma Chi’s Original Fraternity House at the University of Rhode Island, c. 1950. (Courtesy of the University of Rhode Island.)
Re-establishing the Sigma Chi chapter at the university required a long and cooperative effort that involved the university, the national fraternity, Sigma Chi alumni, and students. Over $780,00 was raised to pay for the planning and construction of the new fraternity house. The ground breaking took place in October 2013 and a certificate of occupancy was issued in January 2015.
The original Sigma Chi fraternity house at the URI was constructed in 1918 for Delta Alpha Psi, a local fraternity, and was located on campus at 73 Upper College Road. Additions were made in 1938 and 1963. Delta Alpha Psi was installed as Delta Sigma chapter of Sigma Chi in 1949. The building was sold to the URI in 1996 for $300,000 after the house closed in November 1995. The site became home of the URI alumni center. For many years, Sigma Chi did not have a fraternity house on the URI campus. Now it does, thanks to the leadership provided by Harrington and Wilkinson.
Authors sit on Sigma Chi’s front steps in 1960, Conklin (left), Trottier (right). Brothers Cardosa (left), French, and Kennedy stand behind them. (Courtesy of The 1960 Grist, University of Rhode Island.)
About the Sponsor
The Peak thanks the Biking Sig/Road Scholars, for sponsoring this Peak Award article. The group, which meets regularly in Rhode Island for bicycle rides and lunch, is composed of retired URI alumni, who were active in Sigma Chi during their college years. Claude Trottier is active in the Biking/Sig Road Scholars. Les Conklin is the editor of The Peak. Trottier and Conklin were both members in the Sigma Chi fraternity at URI, graduating in 1960.
About The Peak Award
Do you know someone who deserves special recognition. Sponsoring A Peak Award article is a great way for to give credit to an individual or group’s special contribution. For additional information contact The Peak.
Related Websites & Social Media
University of Rhode Island Website, www.uri.edu Visit Website
Sigma Chi National Fraternity Website, www.sigmachi.org Visit Website
Delta Sigma Chapter, Sigma Chi, University of Rhode Island Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/sigma-chi-uri Visit Facebook
December 30, 2015
Great story about Delta Sigma of Sigma Chi.