Sure, 15 members of Transylvania University’s Delta Sigma Phi fraternity went to the beach for spring break — but they also built a house.
The members traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina, earlier this month to work on a Habitat for Humanity build site. They bonded while providing a home for a family in need.
Chapter Philanthropy Chair Noah Senninger ’27 got the idea for the trip from his dad, Ben, who participated in alternative spring break projects himself as a Pioneer in the ’90s.
“I figured something like that would be perfect,” the son said. “It would be a trip that brothers could bond over.” Plus they earned service hours (they need eight per term).
The Delta Sigs carpooled for more than nine hours to reach Wilmington, stopping at a few roadside attractions along the way.
They covered many of their own expenses during the trip and stayed at Kure Beach First Baptist Church’s Tidal Impact Missions Center. Each morning, they’d wake up at 6:30 and travel 45 minutes to the worksite in a neighborhood where Habitat planned to build more than 30 houses.
The first couple of days it rained so hard that in places around the site “the mud would go halfway up your leg,” Senninger said.
But they managed to get a lot of work done. Starting with an empty slab, the Sigs installed and sheathed frames for interior and exterior walls, lifted roof trusses into place and built front and back porches.
Habitat gave them a tutorial on using the machinery and supervised.
Chapter President John Mantooth ’27 was in his element. After all, his grandfather was director of the Habitat chapter in Morehead, Kentucky, and his family is building a house. “They had me using this big auger with a 10-inch drill bit,” he said.
After a hard day on the site, they’d hit the beach, visit other tourist spots in the area and have big group dinners.
“It was unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” Mantooth said. In fact, they may make it an annual event.
Giving to the community is a major part of being in the chapter, he added. “Delta Sig’s motto is: Better men, better lives.”
Another major philanthropy effort is the annual Sigatoni’s spaghetti dinner, which raises money for The Nest (it was well attended this year). They also partner with Kappa Alpha for a chili cook-off.
When volunteering their time for charity, building a house feels different than raising money to pass along to someone else,” Mantooth said. “It’s a much more hands-on experience, and you’re seeing the direct results of your work.”
