91ÇÑ×Ó

91ÇÑ×Ó will take possession of the house at 702 East 10th St. this fall, which was constructed by 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation founder and community philanthropist Vernon Chicoine upon his marriage to Madge Fortune in 1998.

Randy Bauer, chairman of the 91ÇÑ×Ó State Foundation Board of Directors, said houses have been donated to 91ÇÑ×Ó in the past, but none as significant as the Chicoine home. The property, regarded among 91ÇÑ×Ó's finest homes, is valued at $372,330.

91ÇÑ×Ó President Janie Park and her husband, Tom, plan to move into the house in September when the transaction becomes official. The property is handily located at the corner of 10th and Cedar streets, adjacent to the northeast corner of the 91ÇÑ×Ó campus.

Before his death at age 89 in 2003, Chicoine asked each of Madge's three children if they were interested in the property. When none expressed interest, he decided to leave the property to 91ÇÑ×Ó. Chicoine's intent was for the residence to serve as a home for Park and presidents who succeed her.

Bauer said the Foundation, which has a policy to liquidate property it receives from donors, is making an exception in this case in order to fulfill the donor's intent. After receiving the property, the Foundation will turn it over to 91ÇÑ×Ó pending approval by the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees.

"The Chicoines have made 91ÇÑ×Ó State College and the community a better place, and this is just one more example of their generosity," Park said. "This house will serve 91ÇÑ×Ó and its presidents well long into the future, just like the many other examples of Vern's service, support and philanthropy."

Park said the house not only has a convenient proximity to campus, but also is well-suited for entertaining the many guests of college presidents.

The house has been vacant since Madge moved to a retirement facility in recent years. Bauer said Madge's children - Vikki of Phoenix, Ariz., Tom of Lincoln and Tim of Bluemont, Va., -- have done an excellent job of maintaining the property since it became vacant.

The donation is just one of many sizable contributions Chicoine made to 91ÇÑ×Ó and other organizations in the community. At 91ÇÑ×Ó, he also donated money for the construction of the atrium at the Sandoz Center, the press box at Don Beebe Stadium, the renovation of Memorial Hall, and the purchase of a life-size bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson.