After all of those years, here I am still spending time on Pi Lam business. Some may question whether I have a life or whether I have done anything since 1978 when I graduated law school. I can assure you that I have a life and that I have grown in many directions. No matter where I may go, however, I cannot forget the years that I spent in Gainesville, especially the time that I spent with Pi Lam. There are few of us who can say that we were not positively affected by our experience at Pi Lam. For most of us, our closest friends were met through the House. Some even met their spouse, or former spouse, as the case may be.

I think so much of my experience at Pi Lam that I want to do what I can to make sure that the experience is available to others, especially to my nine year old son. It is for that reason that I have jumped at the opportunity to help raise the money necessary to reestablish Pi Lambda Phi as an active fraternity on the University of Florida campus.

All of you should know the story behind the closing of the house last year. It is my firm belief that the closing of the house was the best possible thing we could do. Sometimes drastic measures must be taken to obtain the ultimate goal. There is no question that the house had been floundering for a number of years, The fraternity was very poorly managed. The brothers, for the most part, took no pride in the house structure. There was no discipline, which meant that the closure was inevitable. The experience was not unique to Pi Lam. A number of fraternities have been closed on the UF campus and on other campuses -around the country. In fact, SAE was closed down for four years at UF. For
what it is worth, they are back and as strong as ever. There is no reason to think that we cannot do the same thing.

We, as alumni, have the opportunity to rebuild the house in a way which should ensure its successful future. I am willing to do my part. I hope that you will join me and the others who have already made commitments to help. During the next few months, you will be contacted to contribute financially to this
effort.  We need your help. If everyone participates, we will create a great house, one which you will be proud to visit with your family and friends. Remember, this is, an integral part of your past. Do not let it waste away.

We have been told that the structure of the house is sound. There will have to be a lot of interior renovations, however. For instance, the bathrooms will have to be gutted and re-done. All of the bedrooms will have to be re-done and wired for the internet, the main tool for studying and research in college today. The kitchen will have to be rebuilt. All of the windows will have to be replaced. The house will have to be centrally air conditioned and heated. The wiring and plumbing will probably have to be replaced as well.

The Alumni Council expects that we will have to raise at least $700,000.00. I am confident that we can do it, with your help. We will be creating naming opportunities for certain levels of contributions. That can be an easier way for a pledge class to make a significant contribution, for instance. Please be responsive when you are asked to contribute to our efforts. When you think about what you are willing to do, remember the benefits which you received from being a part of the finest fraternity on the UF campus. Make that opportunity available to others by helping financially. I am sure that you will not regret it, especially when you return to the house and see the final product.

By the way, some of you have already offered to contribute materials or labor for the renovations. Please contact us at our e-mail address or feel free to call me at 305-448-1555. I will be happy to talk to you about what you can do.

Fraternally yours,

Bob Merlin
PC '72

BACK HOME