Awarded at the 181st Convention in Syracuse, NY
For a full list of criteria, past recipients, and award histories, visit our full awards page.
Garnet and Gold Award for Academic Excellence
The Garnet and Gold Award for Academic Excellence is given out to those chapters who achieve
above the campus average across multiple semesters.
Zeta, Dartmouth College
Upsilon, University of Rochester
Eta, Lehigh University
Tau, University of Pennsylvania
Owl Award for Exceptional Academic Performance
The Owl Award for Exceptional Academic Achievement recognizes chapters that demonstrate
truly significant academic achievement
Delta, New York University
For maintaining a GPA above 3.7
Upsilon, University of Rochester
For having 80% of chapter members on the Fall 2024 Deans List
Omega, University of Chicago
For maintaining a GPA above 3.7
Eta, Lehigh University
For having a higher than average ranking on campus, as well as creating an academic Big Brother Program and mandatory study groups.
Epsilon Nu, Michigan State University
Improved their academic ranking on campus from 15th to 5th of 28 fraternities
Phi Beta, The College of William & Mary
For improving its academic ranking from 13th to 6th of 15 fraternities on campus
Clasped Hand Award for Outstanding Philanthropy & Service
The Clasped Hand Award for Outstanding Philanthropy and Service recognizes those chapters
that go above and beyond. During the 2024-25 Academic Year Psi Upsilon chapters contributed over 8,000 hours of service in their communities and raised more than $240,000 for charities.
Pi, Syracuse University
raised over $160,000 with the majority coming from their November fundraiser and averaged 12 hours of service per a brother
Tau, University of Pennsylvania
averaged 17.5 hours per brother with most of their fundraising going towards helping people re-join the work force
Omicron, University of Illinois
averaged 16.8 hours per brother through their service volunteering at food banks, schools and other organizations
Epsilon Iota, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
averaged 17.8 hours per brother through a vast number of events including a bake sale for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and crocheting for various charity organizations
Phi Beta, The College of William & Mary
raised almost $400 per brother for charity and averaged just over 10 service hours per a brother
Lambda Sigma, Pepperdine University
raised $20,000 through their annual “Psi U Think U Can Dance” event and averaged 13.4 hours per brother
Alpha Omicron, New Jersey Institute of Technology
averaged 21.5 hours per brother, more than any chapter on a per brother basis
Award of Distinction
The Award of Distinction was established by the 142nd Convention in 1985 to recognize Psi Upsilon chapters when they perform in an extraordinary manner. The award may be given annually to one or more chapters for any project, service, program, activity, or accomplishment performed during the year, which merits special recognition.
Tau, University of Pennsylvania
For giving over 980 hours of service to charities, more than any other chapter of Psi Upsilon.
Eta, Lehigh University
For implementing a study program and academic big brother program to bolster its academic performance, which has resulted in 40% of the chapter’s membership on the University Dean’s List and the chapter having the highest academic ranking among fraternities at Lehigh.
Diamond Award for Exceptional Chapters
This award recognizes chapters that distinguish themselves by exceeding the Psi Upsilon Fraternity chapter standards and is the top award a chapter can receive.
Pi, Syracuse University
The Pi Chapter has exemplified Psi Upsilon’s highest ideals by graciously hosting the 2025 Convention for its 150th anniversary, raising an extraordinary $164,000 for philanthropic causes—more than half of the combined total raised by all other chapters—while contributing 972 hours of service (an average of 12 hours per brother). In addition to partnering with other fraternities and sororities to broaden the impact of their philanthropy, they have maintained a GPA above their university’s men’s average and cultivated a deep sense of brotherhood through intentional events like sports outings and campfire gatherings. For these outstanding achievements and their unwavering commitment to service, scholarship, and fellowship, the 181st Convention proudly awards Pi Chapter the Diamond Award for Exceptional Chapters.