Boling Bequest Changes Landscape in Fayetteville
By Rich Smith, Upsilon '92 & Doug Boling, Upsilon '77
Upsilon Chapter at the University of Arkansas will soon break ground on its new house in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The
age of the existing structure at 1322 W. Cleveland is unknown but its oak slat and plaster construction on a rock
foundation dates it somewhere in the 40's. Upsilon acquired the house in 1969 and has been using it ever since. The
years of fraternity life have pushed the structure well beyond its useful life and only through the dedicated efforts
of many brave and resourceful brothers has the house continued to stand.
The new house is the result of over 10 years of work trying to find the right mix of financing, cash flow, and a
design that will serve the fraternity well into the future. Upsilon members have heard and seen several different
plans for a new house but the major problem has always been financing.
The current house project is becoming a reality due to a bequest made by the late Brother Hugh (Don) Boling,
Upsilon '52, who left the Chapter about $270,000 for the purpose of constructing a new house. Using the bequest along
with Upsilon House Corporation savings and equity in its property, the House Corporation will be able to secure
funding.
Don Boling was 69 when he passed away in November of 1999. At that time he was Vice President of River Operations
with Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was a native of Russellville and grew up in Pine
Bluff, where he graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1948. He attended the University of Arkansas as a civil
engineering student, graduating in 1952 with honors. He spent time in the Philippines during the Korean War as a
member of the United States Air Force. Upon return from the service he was employed by Humble Oil Company in Baytown,
Texas, then moved to Warren, Arkansas where he was employed at S.M. Dixon Construction Company from 1955-62. In 1962,
he moved to Pine Bluff where he began his 37-year career with Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel. During his career he was
involved in the planning, bidding, supervising, and administering the company's waterway, dam, river, and port
construction projects and work forces across the country. In 1977, he was appointed by President Clinton to the
Inland Waterway Users Board. He served as President of the Associated General Contractors of America, Mississippi
Valley Chapter, and also a member of the Arkansas Waterways Association.
Brother Boling was a long-time member of Lakeside United Methodist Church where he was past chairman of the
Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Building Committee and Endowment Committee. He served on the Board of
Directors of Trinity Village. He and his wife, Joann, raised four children, Doug, Karen, David, and Elaine. All four
children attended the University of Arkansas where son Doug also joined Theta Tau. Doug Boling, Upsilon '77,
recalls… "I pledged Theta Tau in the Spring Semester of 1974 and lived in the house the next 3 years until I married
and moved to an apartment. I pretty much occupied every fraternity office there was in Theta Tau, but what I remember
most was working in the kitchen for $45 a month to help pay my meals while I was in school and working with Clare, our
cook, pseudo-house mother, etc. Even then, when my father visited, he was concerned about the living quarters of the
fraternity and on more than one occasion he spoke of trying to improve those circumstances. As a college student, I
thought things were great: off-campus housing, independent from the U of A, a good cook, etc. When I saw pictures on
the web site and realized that the house was still standing, I must admit I was amazed. I am certain that my father
is very pleased with the plans you are taking to get new construction underway. It would be a great blessing to our
family to see his wish of providing an updated facility provided for not only future Theta Tau members, but future
engineers at his favorite engineering school."
Despite Brother Boling's clear intent and desire that the bequest be used to build a house for Theta Tau, his will
entrusted the money to the University of Arkansas for this purpose. This quirk naturally generated some income for
the lawyers, but seems to have been settled consistent with Brother Boling's wishes. Such bequests are better left
directly to the intended beneficiary to avoid potential legal wrangling.
The new 2-story facility will have 3600 sq. ft. main level and a 3000 sq. ft. second level. Construction is wood
frame with brick and limestone exterior designed to fit a traditional Fraternity image in a Federal style. Some
design features include cathedral ceilings, walk-in closets, balconies, and oak millwork. The house will provide
housing for twenty-four members plus Library/Meeting Hall, industrial kitchen, and study rooms.
A unique engineering feature is that four of the rooms on the main floor are tornado shelter rooms. These safe rooms
are designed to withstand an F-3 tornado (250 mph). Specifications came from building research done at Texas Tech
University. It was designed by Architect Ken Emanuelson AIA of Perry Butcher Architects in Rogers, Arkansas. Ken
Emanuelson is the father of Ken Emanuelson, II, Upsilon '94, and has been working with the fraternity for many
years to bring this dream to fruition. Thanks to his pre-planning, as soon as news of the bequest reached the chapter
in early 2003, building plans were unrolled and ready for consideration. Project completion is set for January
2005.
Total cost of project is $850,000 of which $550,000 will be in the form of debt. Monthly payments will be
approximately $3,800 per month plus maintenance and taxes, utilities, insurance, etc. for an estimated total of $6,200
per month. Although Upsilon's Housing Corporation is securing funding for this venture, any additional donations will
be greatly appreciated since they will lessen the ultimate burden placed on the students and chapter. Donations can
be made to "Upsilon Housing Corporation of Theta Tau" and sent c/o Richard A. Smith, Upsilon '92, 1740 N.
Garland, Fayetteville AR 72703. Richard may also be reached by telephone at 479-409-7979 and via email at
rsmith@bitworks.com for questions or additional information.