Seeking Alumni Support for the TKE House-Fall 2024
Greetings,
My name is Kevin Kuesters (Scroll #294, Class of '89), and I am the current president of the Blacksburg Alumni of TKE, Inc. (BATI, the Board). For those unfamiliar with BATI, we are the entity that owns and operates the TKE house at 2450 Ramble Road.
Xi-Omega celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, and BATI has been managing the house since the
1980s. The house was rebuilt in 2003-2004 to accommodate 12 tenants. As you can imagine, the house
endures significant wear and tear during the school year, resulting in substantial maintenance and repair
costs. While the chapter members often handle minor repairs, the quality of their work can be
inconsistent. BATI remains responsible for ensuring the house meets all building standards and safety
codes. Over the years, the condition of the house has gradually declined, leading to our current situation
where we have only 8 tenants for the 2024-2025 school year and are struggling to fill the house.
To address this, BATI renovated the kitchen this past summer, following the suggestion of the current
brothers. Xi-Omega alumni generously donated over $12,000 to this project, with half of the amount
coming from a matching gift by an anonymous donor. The renovation work was completed by alumni
Chris Brown, Ryan Greer, and others in July and August 2024, and the results are fantastic and can be
seen in our Facebook group. We are grateful to all who contributed to this successful project.
The Barn is more than just a place to live and socialize; it is a home where lifelong bonds are formed,
and leadership skills are developed. Moving forward, the Board aims to continuously improve the house
in collaboration with the active brotherhood. We are seeking Xi-Omega alumni who can contribute in
the following ways:
- Property Management: Experience in managing rental properties or real estate.
- Construction Skills: Expertise in architecture and building construction.
- Financial Expertise: Skills in finance and investing.
- Fundraising: Expertise in fundraising and charitable giving.
- Ideas and Suggestions: Any ideas for improving the house and surrounding property.
We aim to establish a sustainable framework for the Board to manage the house efficiently and
effectively, while developing a long-term maintenance and improvement plan.
Your involvement can be as flexible as your schedule allows, whether through regular meetings,
occasional check-ins, or specific projects. Any support you can offer will be appreciated and will have a
lasting impact on our fraternity.
If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please reply to this email, or email me at
kevinjkuesters@gmail.com.
Thank you for considering this request. Your continued support and dedication to our chapter are
invaluable, and we look forward to working together to ensure the success and longevity of our
brotherhood.
Yours in the Bond,
Kevin Kuesters
President, Blacksburg Alumni of TKE, Inc.
kevinjkuesters@gmail.com