BACKGROUND

When Gamma Phi Beta was colonized at Florida State in 1950, our original chapter house was located on College Avenue, in between Westcott Fountain and downtown Tallahassee. By the 1960s, the house was noticeably aging and there was concern about the safety, size, and location of the house. The chapter relocated to its current location on West Jefferson Street, much closer to campus; a place most of our alumnae and sisters know as their home at Florida State.

The current chapter house has served as a wonderful home for the past 50 years, but as the size of the chapter continues to grow, so must the house.

We need your help to grow 633 West Jefferson Street in order to create the future memories of home for Gamma Phi sisters for years to come. This crowdfunding campaign is the first step in our capital campaign to raise $1.5M to better serve the sisters of Gamma Phi Beta at Florida State University.

HOUSING OUR FUTURE

Your donations will help the Gamma Phi house grow in these ways:

• A brand new chapter room with space for the entire chapter – This is something that has not been possible since the early 90’s!!
• Adding six new bedrooms, including 12 additional beds (25% increase) – More than a few of us missed out on being able to live in the house due to limited space.
• Meeting ADA requirements by adding an elevator, wheelchair ramp, and handicap accessible restrooms
• Two large renovated bathrooms and laundry room on the second floor
• Expanding the kitchen, dining room, living room and courtyard – The entire chapter will finally be able to eat dinner together!
• Adding an additional 5,935 sq. ft.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT    

“Andrew Carnegie always called his closest, dearest, and most comfortable friends, "the old shoes".  West Jefferson Street has always given me my own "old shoes" for almost 50 years and I treasure everyone.” – Rosemary Stone Bunn ’69

“"The Gamma Phi Beta house joined uniquely different wonderful, talented women in a bond of sisterhood. We were all very diverse in our looks, our interests and backgrounds, but as we stepped into the house, our hearts were one." – Maria Garcia Santoro ‘81

“The house was my home away from home.  I loved seeing the little surprises left by sisters on the front table and the sounds of the piano in our formal living room” – Lara Bornemann Mish ‘91

“I was such an outsider at FSU that our house, to me, was a source of both pride (because I belonged *there*) and continuity. It was home base, it was a place to recharge and hang with friends. It was the place where I was part of everything instead of watching it all.” – Lexa Davis Donnelly ‘94

“633 W Jefferson Street is where I called home for 4 years (living there for 3!) I finally had sisters, and discovered what deeper friendships could become! It's also where I discovered that I could be a leader... starting out as a House Manager, and eventually becoming an SGA Senator at FSU! It's at Gamma Phi that I discovered I had a voice to help make change happen!” – Christi McCall ‘95

“It was home where your friends became your family.” – Becky Wilson Magdaleno ’96

 “Our house means home. When we first met, each from different areas of Florida and beyond, GPhiB became our home at FSU. The place we could go and be ourselves... find ourselves without judgement among friends who became our sisters for life. Its uniqueness showcases the beauty and diversity that is our sorority and our sisterhood.” – Kim (Fry) Partello ‘98

“Our Beta Mu house is where my best memories at FSU were made! Where friends quickly and truly became sisters and we supported each other, celebrated together, and made lifelong friendships.” – Ashley Tronnier Ripple ‘07

Reward levels*:        

*All donors, throughout the entire capital campaign, who donate a cumulative amount of $100 or more, will receive their name on a donor plaque that will be located in the Gamma Phi Beta house once the renovations are complete.

For more information, or if you would like to update your contact info or volunteer with the campaign, please contact Renee Hirschberg ’97 at gphiboston@gmail.com or 857-259-1525. Join our Facebook group: Fundraising Campaign for Gamma Phi Beta @ FSU Renovations.