34.3 F
Oxford

Delta Gamma House To Double In Size; Remain Home For Members During Construction

Front elevation of the future Delta Gamma house to be completed by Aug. 2017. The new house will be double the size of the previous house.
Front elevation of the future Delta Gamma house to be completed by Aug. 2017. The new house will be double the size of the previous house.

Since this past May, when demolition work began on the Ole Miss Delta Gamma house, there has been a construction fence surrounding the property. A little-known fact is that since students returned in August, the house has been and will remain a fully-functioning sorority house serving three meals a day to all members and housing 34 girls.

 HottyToddy.com’s Steve Vassallo caught up with Lisa Darnell, a Delta Gamma alumna who is head of the the sorority’s building committee to get more details about the multi-million dollar expansion project.

HottyToddy.com: What is your official title and role in the renovation/expansion of the house?

Lisa Darnell: I am the Chairman of the Building Committee for the House Corporation Board. I was elected three years ago primarily because of my history as an active member of House Corporation Board. Also, my having been an interior designer is very helpful in navigating our project.

HottyToddy.com: When was the original Delta Gamma house built?

Lisa Darnell: In 1938, what is now the South wing was built with funds donated by Delta Gammas all over the country as a memorial honoring the Founders. It was the first and is the oldest sorority house at Ole Miss. We are maintaining and renovating that part of the house because it was important to us to preserve that part of our history. Next summer, renovations in this portion, including cosmetic changes, will take place. But for now, this is the area we are using for the 34 girls who actually live in the house and for all of the members to eat, meet and relax.

HottyToddy.com: How were you able to separate it?

Lisa Darnell: The safety and comfort of the members were our top goals. We built a construction wall between the South wing and the construction. We added fire exits, signage, extinguishers and a temporary covered entrance and sidewalk. We also added a laundry room.

HottyToddy.com: Tell us about the actual construction project.

fullsizerender-3
Interior 2-story atrium, which will have New Orleans-style details and skylights.

Lisa Darnell: We are doubling the size of the house. We are adding space in every possible direction — down, up, north and east. We are building a new north wing, which will be completed by August 2017 and are enlarging the house in all directions. It will also feature a new basement that will be almost the entire footprint of the enlarged house. The basement will be the chapter room. It will have an interior, 2-story atrium with New Orleans style details and skylights along with a two story foyer with a free-standing spiral staircase.

HottyToddy.comWhat will it look like on the outside?

Lisa Darnell: It will be beautiful. We are adding an elegant, colonnaded porch across the front facing sorority row. It will be white and will reflect the style of the former DG house.

HottyToddy.comWhat are some of the main interior features of the new house?

Lisa Darnell: We asked the girls what they would want and with this being essentially like a new house, we were able to accommodate many of those wishes. In the living areas, we will have water fountains with bottle fillers on each floor, an exercise room-outfitted with TVs, very nice laundry rooms on each resident floor, study/TV rooms on each floor, special conference-room-style study rooms and many spacious bedrooms with really large closets and an elevator.  Our dining areas, where all members dine, will be larger and will have a very extensive chilled salad bar along with a coffee bar with numerous coffee flavors, a soft-service yogurt bar with all the toppings and a night and weekend, self-service kitchen.

HottyToddy.com: What about some of the not-so-glamorous features?

Lisa Darnell: It will have state-of-the art heating and cooling system for entire house, ADA access by adding handicap-accessible bedroom/bath/living areas and will have energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems and LED lighting in most areas.

HottyToddy.com: Of course money is always the question no matter what the topic. I would imagine this project is really huge?

Lisa Darnell: It is a multi-million-dollar project which is being privately funded absent of grants.

The new 2-story foyer, with freestanding spiral staircase.
The new 2-story foyer, with freestanding spiral staircase.

HottyToddy.com: Unbelievable! The DG’s should be running the federal government. How many actives will be able to live in the “new” DG house?

Lisa Darnell: We are still not 100% certain as the final determinations have not yet been made. It will be at least 80+. Currently, we have 34 living in the abbreviated space today. The future rooms will be quite large once all improvements have been completed.

HottyToddy.com: Lisa, explain why such an ambitious endeavor was approved.

Lisa Darnell: The enhanced opportunities for sisterhood and for our growing numbers at both the sorority and Ole Miss were seen to be the overriding factors.

HottyToddy.com: This is quite an undertaking.

Lisa Darnell: Our thousands of alums have played a major part. We reached out to them through email and all available avenues utilizing our strong executive office in Columbus, Ohio in doing so.

3babc57b-608d-453d-9fee-dae92da49a1d
The DG Building Committee in front of rendering of new house: (L-R) Jane Ford, President of House Corporation Board; Katherine Graham; Lisa Darnell, Building Committee Chairman; Lisa Paris; Patrice Smith. Not pictured: Barbara Jim Turner (click to enlarge)

HottyToddy.com: Lisa, this has been a lot of work!  Tell us a little more about you.

Lisa Darnell: I graduated from Ole Miss (as an active member of Delta Gamma) in 1973. For many years I ran an interior design business and currently live in Tupelo where I’m retired. I grew up in Jackson. While in the sorority at Ole Miss, I was the Social Chairman.

HottyToddy.com: Why don’t you move to Oxford?

Lisa Darnell: My husband and I may definitely consider that in the future.

HottyToddy.com: Why did you select DG as your sorority preference?

Lisa Darnell: Because of the lifelong relationships and the encouragement I received to be the very best I could be in life.

HottyToddy.com: What was DG like in the early 70’s?

Lisa Darnell: It was wonderful! I lived in the house for two years in 71-72 and 72-73. My pledge class contained 33 members, the quota in 1969. The house then was extremely nice as our House Corporation Board has always maintained it to the highest standards.

HottyToddy.com: DG has quite an incredible history here at Ole Miss.

Lisa Darnell: In fact, the sorority was founded here in Oxford 1873 by a group of three girls who were attending the Lewis School (a private school) who were stranded in Oxford over the Christmas holidays due to inclement weather. Today Delta Gamma has about 140 chapters.

HottyToddy.com: House moms are often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of campus life. Tell us about yours.

Lisa Darnell: Ginny Sims has been our House Director (current title) for the previous two years. She has numerous responsibilities including overseeing the housekeeping and kitchen staff as they maintain the house and prepare delicious meals five days a week (Fridays there are two); all housekeeping issues including repairs; assisting the membership; and a host of other activities. She has a very intense job and is great at it! We all love Mom Ginny!

HottyToddy.com: Thank you Lisa for sharing the details of this project. We look forward to watching the progress.


Steve VassalloSteve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

Follow HottyToddy.com on InstagramTwitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com