PSU alum gives another $1.1 million to frat

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State alumnus Don Abbey has increased his gift to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity by $1.1 million, bringing his total donation for restoration and renovation of the facility to $5.5 million.

Abbey, a 1970 graduate, who is a member of the fraternity, owns The Abbey Co., a California-based real estate firm. Restoration of the facility, which was built in 1929 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, began in 2004.

The initial phase included projects, such as upgrading the fraternity’s 33 rooms, updating bathrooms, replacing and repairing hardwood floors, stained glass windows and the slate roofs.

The additional monetary commitment will increase the square footage of the basement and kitchen, pave the parking lot and backyard in bluestone and landscape the property.

The Abbey Leadership Foundation was formed to fund future house maintenance expenses and leadership initiatives for undergraduates. The project is expected to continue through 2008