Reflections: A Journal of Psi Upsilon History is a publication of the Psi Upsilon Foundation focused on researching and highlighting the stories behind the members, buildings, artifacts, and traditions of our order as we approach two centuries of brotherhood. This issue features: • About Our Founders: George Washington Tuttle, Theta 1836 (Union College) •The Dean of Broadway Showmen – George Abbott, Upsilon 1911, (University of Rochester) • Charles Burnham “Bud” Wilkinson, Mu ‘37, (University of Minnesota) • THE DIAMOND’S FIRST EDITOR Willard Fiske, Psi 1851, (Hamilton College) • Radio man – Jack Morton, Theta Theta ‘57, (Washington) • Psi Upsilon Legacies: The Piper Family • Rediscovering Phi Beta Lost Items
The 2023 March Challenge is one for the history books! 223 donors from 32 chapters helped us raise over $45,000! THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the campaign so successful, especially those who made generous matching gifts!
In the end, something was achieved that was not expected: The Eta (Lehigh) and Omicron (Illinois) Chapters tied for first place, each having 38 donors when the campaign ended at Midnight Pacific Time! Rounding out the top 5 chapters were the Gamma Tau (Georgia Tech) with 37 donors, Omega (Chicago) with 20 donors, and Chi Delta (Duke) with 12 donors.
Earlier this month, the Psi Upsilon Foundation held the Social Impact Fellowship Retreat & Reception to honor and teach our Social Impact Fellows. Distinguished facilitators Kevin A. Klock, Chi Delta ‘01 (Chi Delta), Roberta Hunter, Epsilon Iota ‘ 94 (RPI), Dr. Elise Walton, Kappa ‘80 (Bowdoin), Lance Miller, Epsilon Nu ‘80 (Michigan State) and David Miller of OrgForce Consulting LLC facilitated leadership development sessions with the 2022-23 cohort of Fellows, including Christopher Lawrence Tang, ESQ, Gamma Tau ’01 (Georgia Tech), Devon Trotter, Phi Beta ’06 (William & Mary), John D. Hatfield. Iota ‘94 (Kenyon), Dr. Audrey Fisch, Gamma ‘87 (Amherst), Dr. Alison Munzer, Ph.D., Gamma ‘09(Amherst). The retreat was followed by a reception for fellowship supporters and leadership.
Psi U is excited to have hosted a series of smaller venue and in-home gatherings in February and March of 2023 throughout the country. With generous brothers opening their homes to enjoy fellowship and catch up with our beloved fraternity, we aimed to make these events complimentary to brothers living or staying in the area. See pictures from Akron, DC, Atlanta, Tampa, Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, and more on our Flickr account. https://www.flickr.com/photos/psiupsilon/albums
Consider becoming a sponsor of an eventat $300 donation to the Foundation. Contact Bethann Taylor at Bethann@psiu.org or 317-571-1833 x102 if you have any questions or interest in helping.
This exciting online event consists of a series of ~45-60 minute afternoon zoom sessions focused around key venture and entrepreneurial topics held by accomplished brothers in the respective fields. This small series of zoom forums in April are for founders, CEO’s, investors and advisors to gather to ask questions and receive brief perspectives around very pointed topics of relevance. We anticipate about 15-20 people joining for free via zoom each week in April. The series will lead up to our Venture Summit on May 11 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is meant to energize the network of brothers who are venture-minded from both the investor and the start-up side. The Psi U “Ask an Expert” series starts Thursday April 6th!
Richard Barthelmess, Beta Beta 1917 (Trinity College) was a star of the silent film era and influential in Hollywood, helping build it to the institution it is today. He was a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts in 1927 and is one of the few actors that has been nominated twice in one year for an acting award. Read more about his career and influence here!
Fraternal Law Partners is a respected law firm dedicated to the issues impacting fraternities, sororities, student life organizations, and their related charitable foundations – from tax to corporate governance to civil litigation. We recommend all advisors, and any alumni who are passionate about the interfraternal movement, to sign up for their newsletter which addresses current issues, scroll to the bottom of their website and click on “join our newsletter”. They also have an exhaustive list of past articles, searchable by topic, viewable here.
You are cordially invited to our FishFund Venture Summit & Presentations next month
Our keynote will be Doug Sweeny, Pi ’90 (Syracuse University). Doug is CMO at ŌURA. Hear from thought leaders and investors in the innovation space and learn about new startup projects helmed by Psi Upsilon brothers. Guests and Significant others are welcome.
To qualify to present, the startup must have a fully developed and working product. A founder, C-Suite leader or key investor must be a Psi Upsilon brother.
May 11th, 2022 6:00 pm The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel 495 Geary Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Please check to see if your company does Donation Matching for 501c3s. (Google, The Home Depot, Microsoft, and many more match 50 to 100%, some up to 500%!). https://doublethedonation.com/psiufoundation
05.11.2023 – FishFund Venture Summit – San Francisco, CA Date: Thursday May 11th, 2023 Time: 6pm Start Location: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel 495 Geary Street San Francisco, CA 94102 To qualify to present, the startup must have a fully developed and working product. A founder, C-Suite leader or key investor must be a Psi Upsilon brother.Spouses, Guests, and significant others are encouraged to attend Ticket prices: $65 Alumni • $25 2017-2021 Recent Undergrad • $300 Sponsor the event Regster Here
07.28 – 07.31.2023 179th Psi Upsilon Convention July 28th – July 31st, 2023 Atlanta Sheraton Downtown Atlanta, GA Hosted by the Gamma Tau chapter Register Here
Have news to pass along? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact Executive Director Thomas Fox (tfox@psiu.org) with anything you would like to share.
• Donor Profile: PAUL BUSH,Phi ‘76 (U. of Michigan) • VOICES FROM THE NEXT GENERATION of Psi U support • 2023 ARCHONS’ ACADEMY was a great success • 2022 CUMULATIVE GIVING to the Foundation and Fraternity • 3rd Annual Gilrane Economic Symposium recap • Pillar Society • Social Impact Fellowship Reception • Upcoming Keydates •
“When I was [an undergraduate] in the Fraternity…being a committed brother and an officer gives you a connection. I understood [Psi Upsilon is an] international organization and what the international office did for the chapters. International relies on alumni who give back to provide services and I know how important that is. I guess you could compare it to the professional org I’m in. We have membership dues and use that to support members. We couldn’t do it without the dues.”
– Paul Bush, Phi ‘76
PAUL BUSH Phi ‘76 (University of Michigan)
At the University of Michigan in the 60’s and 70’s the membership of Psi Upsilon largely drew from wealthier families from the east side of Detroit, primarily from Grosse Pointe and St Clair Shores area. A shift began in 1972 with an incoming class with different backgrounds and from other areas of Michigan. Brother Paul Bush (Phi ‘76) pledged alongside those brothers which enhanced the chapters diversity.
Bush recounts the sea change in membership not as a contentious but one of the struggle for growth and bonding. He recalls fond memories of back yard field hockey and co-ed mixers. His recommendation of our society became so great that he successfully encouraged his own familial brother Mark to join him at Michigan and in the brotherhood of Psi Upsilon. During his sophomore and junior years Paul Bush resided in the house and during his junior year served as President of the chapter. While Bush did move out during his senior and fifth year, with a longer matriculation due to his enrollment as a pharmacy student, he remained an active brother contributing as he could.
Not everyone knows what they want to do with their life on the first day of college but Brother Bush did. Entering the University of Michigan as a pharmacy student he knew that he would spend five years instead of four but would end his time with a full professional degree to practice pharmacy.
While his career has always been focused on pharmacy practice he has gone on to be a leader and an educator. He received an MBA in 1982 from Wayne State University and currently serves as Vice President of Global Resource Development and Consulting for the American Society of Heath-System Pharmacists (ASHP). He teaches at Northwestern University and passes on his wisdom and experience to a new generation.
Among his many professional accolades Dr. Bush has received the John W. Webb Lecture Award from Northeastern University and ASHP, an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Campbell University, the Dean Golod Award from MUSC Health, and the the NCAP Pharmacy Ambassador award.
His publications include co-authorship in Managing and Leading – 44 Lessons Learned for Pharmacists, and chapters in Building a Successful Ambulatory Practice, Financial Management Basics for Health System Pharmacists, Handbook of Institutional Pharmacy Practice, and the Pharmacy Certified Technician Training Manual.
Shortly after college he married Julie and they have two children including Sarah who is also a pharmacist. His current position is professionally fulfilling, with the added benefit of placing him close to his children and grandchildren.
When asked what advice he would give to younger Psi U’s he said to not ignore the networking aspect of college. Many of the people in your classes will be the people you have professional relationships outside of college and for the rest of your life.
For fraternity brothers specifically, he mentions the care and improvement of the fraternity house. During his undergraduate years, most brothers were strong supporters of the Psi U legacy and the beautiful house on Hill Street. The brothers organized projects to improve the grounds and made improvements to the basement so it could be used for relaxation, games, and parties.
Brother Bush has consistently donated for 43 years to Psi Upsilon and says of donations:
“I’ve been a consistent contributor since graduation and feel very good about my commitment to Psi Upsilon. Consistent giving year over year is very important as it provides a foundation of support for the fraternity. It’s just the right thing to do”
December 8th, 2022, the 3rd Gilrane Economic Symposium was held in Greenwich, CT, to much acclaim. Andy Serwer, Kappa ‘81 (Bowdoin) gave an entertaining and informative keynote, beore moderating distinguished panelists, Anthony Diamandakis, Omega ’97 (Chicago), John “Jeb” Beckwith, Psi ’84 (Hamilton) and Christopher P. Fuller, Zeta ’88 (Dartmouth), who discussed major trends in the global economy as we enter 2023. The annual speaker panel, endowed in Brother Gilrane’s honor, was followed by an entrepreneurial pitch courtesy of the FishFund. Three founding entrepreneurs representing their startups presented and took rapid fire questions from the audience. The paid event brought together brothers from around the country. Next year’s GES and FishFund Venture Presentations are scheduled for December 7th, 2023, at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT.
Chapter Corporation Presidents and Alumni Advisors Town Hall: Wednesday January 25th 6-7PM EST
Our monthly check in for alumni presidents and alumni advisors to connect, share resources and ask questions. All Chapter Corporation presidents and advisors are invited to attend this zoom conference if you would like an invite to this Zoom conference please contact Executive Director Thomas Fox at tfox@psiu.org.
Happy Hour and Fellowship Gathering – Pittsburgh, PA
Date/Time: Thursday, January 26, 2023 • 5:00 – 7:00pm Location: The Federal Gallery Restaurant , 200 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA Sponsor: Laura King, Chi Delta ’04 Join the brothers of Psi U for an evening of fellowship over food and drinks, as we reconnect and provide updates on the Fraternity. Thank you to our host Laura E. King, Chi Delta ’04 (Duke University) .
This town hall is for undergraduate chapter presidents and other members of their Executive Board as they discuss challenges and solutions to current remote learning environments – philanthropy, operations, recruitment, new member education, and staying connected to one another. If you would like an invite to this Zoom conference please contact Executive Director Thomas Fox at tfox@alexsenchak
Meeting ID: 317 473 9263 One tap mobile +13017158592,,3174739263# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,3174739263# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 317 473 9263
Travis has worked in the film industry for the last decade on simulations and procedural effects. From collapsing buildings and explosions to magical disintegration and monsters made out of smoke, his job is to make controlled simulations and procedural systems to fulfill the vision of the directors. Since 2015 he’s been working at Industrial Light and Magic, and in 2022 was promoted to FX Supervisor for season 3 of The Mandalorian.
Travis has been extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work on some of the largest film franchises and shows including The Mandalorian, Obi Wan, Avengers Endgame, Rogue One, Rise of Skywalker, The Book of Boba Fett, and many more. Each project has presented him with an opportunity to create something new and to push the boundary of what’s possible with visual effects.
