For a full list of criteria, past recipients, and award histories, visit our full awards page.
Garnet and Gold Award for Academic Excellence
Awarded to any chapter, provisional chapter, or owl club that has achieved a chapter GPA in excess of the all-men’s average (or all-campus average, as appropriate) for their campus across multiple semesters.
Delta, New York University
Reported GPAs of 3.841 and 3.762 — the highest reported of any chapter.
Eta, Lehigh University
Exceeded the all-men’s average in both evaluated semesters on university-reported data, by 2.4% in Fall 2025 and 3.0% in Spring 2025, when the chapter ranked 1st of 9 fraternities on campus.
Omega, University of Chicago
Reported GPAs of 3.765 and 3.696 across the evaluation period.
Phi, University of Michigan
University-reported GPA above the all-men’s average in both semesters on file, with self-reported chapter GPAs running roughly 3% above the campus benchmark and exceeding it in every semester on record.
Phi Beta, The College of William & Mary
Above the all-men’s average both semesters per university-reported data, by 3.0% and 3.4%.
Psi, Hamilton College
Reported GPAs of 3.701 and 3.415 across the evaluation period.
Theta Theta, University of Washington
Exceeded the campus all-men’s average in both semesters of the evaluation period, by about 2%.
Upsilon, University of Rochester
Above the all-men’s average both semesters, including a margin of 13.6% in Spring 2025 — the largest single-semester gap of any chapter.
Xi, Wesleyan University
Consistent GPAs of 3.683 and 3.684 across the evaluation period.
Zeta, Dartmouth College
Roughly 1% above the all-men’s average in both reported semesters on university-reported data.
Owl Award for Exceptional Academic Performance
The Owl Award for Exceptional Academic Performance recognizes chapters demonstrating truly significant academic achievement, judged on campus rank, the margin by which the chapter GPA exceeds the all-men’s average, GPA improvement, the GPA itself, and other significant factors.
Eta, Lehigh University
Ranked 1st among all fraternities at Lehigh in Spring 2025 — the top rank among chapters with verifiable data — while sustaining margins of 2.4% to 3.0% above the all-men’s average at a chapter of 64 members.
Phi Beta, The College of William & Mary
Climbed from 13th of 15 to 4th of 18 on campus with a 6.1% year-over-year GPA gain — the most dramatic rank improvement and the largest confirmed gain of any chapter.
Clasped Hand Award for Outstanding Philanthropy & Service
The Clasped Hand Award for Outstanding Philanthropy and Service is presented to chapters that have devoted significant time and effort to philanthropic efforts and community service, going above and beyond in their communities. During the 2025-26 Academic Year Psi Upsilon chapters performed more than 9,400 hours of community service and raised over $121,000 for charitable causes.
Alpha Omicron, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Contributed 487 service hours, or 24.3 hours per brother — the second-highest per-brother figure reported — with a sustained focus on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention from a chapter of just 20 members.
Eta, Lehigh University
Contributed 2,387 service hours — the most of any chapter and an average of 37.3 hours per brother — across more than 35 distinct events.
Lambda Sigma, Pepperdine University
Raised $35,000 through its Psi U Think You Can Dance event for Conquering Paralysis — $777.78 per brother, the highest per-brother fundraising figure reported.
Phi Nu, Christopher Newport University
Contributed 501 service hours (17.3 per brother) led by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention programming — a notable achievement in the chapter’s first spring back following reactivation.
Pi, Syracuse University
Strong on both dimensions with 996 service hours and $15,398 raised; its Movember campaign alone raised $10,000 and contributed to one of the largest Movember campaigns in the world, which is led by a group of Pi alumni.
Tau Epsilon, Clemson University
Raised $41,934 — the most of any chapter — anchored by its Safe Harbor event for domestic violence awareness.
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.
Psi, Hamilton College
For its annual Greek Society Speaker Series on mental health and addiction — a clinically facilitated, alumni-funded program that extended Psi Upsilon’s wellness values to the broader Hamilton Greek community.
Xi, Wesleyan University
For a multi-year, multi-million-dollar capital campaign to restore and preserve its historic chapter house, undertaken alongside a digitization of the chapter’s archives in partnership with university archivists.
Diamond Award for Exceptional Chapters
This award recognizes chapters that distinguish themselves by exceeding the Psi Upsilon Fraternity chapter standardsand is the top award a chapter can receive.
Eta, Lehigh University
The Eta Chapter was the most comprehensively excellent chapter of this cycle, excelling simultaneously across academics, service, recruitment, brotherhood, alumni engagement, and member wellness — and doing so at scale with 64 active brothers. Eta finished 1st among all fraternities at Lehigh academically while exceeding the all-men’s average in every evaluated semester, and contributed 2,387 hours of community service, more than any other chapter of Psi Upsilon, across more than 35 distinct events. For sustaining that breadth of achievement without sacrificing depth in any area of chapter life, the 182nd Convention proudly awards Eta Chapter the Diamond Award for Exceptional Chapters.
The 2025–26 academic year was a strong one for Psi Upsilon. Across our chapters, brothers lived out the Fraternity’s core values — Lifelong Friendship, Moral Leadership, Intellectual Engagement, Responsible Social Conduct, and Service to Society — through scholarship, brotherhood, alumni relations, and service to their campuses and communities, while several chapters rebuilt, grew, or returned to campus after periods of dormancy. The summaries that follow highlight notable accomplishments from each chapter that submitted a report this year, drawn from the full chapter reports collected for 2025–26.
This roundup includes only those chapters that submitted a News and Service Report by the July 1 deadline. Chapters that did not submit a report by that date are not represented here, and their accomplishments this year may go unrecognized in this summary as a result.
Collectively, Psi Upsilon chapters performed 9,458 hours of community service and raised over $121,000 for charitable causes this year, while initiating 454 new members into the Fraternity. The year also marked the return of two chapters to active campus life: Beta Beta at Trinity College moved back into its chapter house after more than a year off suspension, and Phi Nu at Christopher Newport University completed its first full year back on campus, welcoming its first new member class since returning.
DELTA, New York University (1837)
Delta leaned into intellectual engagement this year — several brothers made the Dean’s List, and the chapter reserved study space at Bobst Library daily. Recruitment brought in nine new pledges in the fall and five in the spring through events like Dinner with Brothers, and brothers deepened their lifelong friendships with alumni at their retreat, Yule Log and Delta Day events.
Service to society stayed a priority despite tightening restrictions on fundraising at NYU: brothers logged over 200 hours per semester through the Upperdeck mini-golf event, Circle K bag-decorating and dog-toy drives, and the Tzu-Chi food pantry. Individually, Ian Lin was accepted to dental school after volunteering with a mobile dental clinic, and Erica Zhang competed with the NYU volleyball team.
PSI, Hamilton College (1843)
Psi initiated 12 new brothers and hosted its annual Greek Societies Speaker Series, bringing therapist Stuart Warren to campus to address addiction and mental health among young men. The chapter counted 21 varsity athletes and three team captains, and John Young was twice named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week for football.
Beyond athletics, the chapter put service to society into practice through a weekly commitment to the Harvest food rescue initiative, moving over 50 pounds of food to local charities each week, and hosted its annual Walk Out of the Darkness event for mental health awareness.
XI, Wesleyan University (1843)
Xi welcomed 13 new brothers — including a Freeman Scholar, two QuestBridge Scholars, and a varsity athlete — from a pool of over 200 applicants, even while managing a full renovation of the chapter house’s fire system that required a rotating 24/7 fire watch for two months. In a mark of intellectual engagement, the chapter also piloted a new Librarian position to begin digitizing its 18th-century archive, and Wesleyan’s president attended a Homecoming event at the house.
Brothers put service to society into action with a weekly presence at St. Vincent de Paul’s soup kitchen and warming shelter through a record-cold winter. On the athletic and academic side, Zach Idinopolus captained the varsity squash team, Tori Rideau-Winds earned a second All-NESCAC selection, and Juliette Sullivan qualified for the New England D3 Indoor Championship in track.
UPSILON, University of Rochester (1858)
Upsilon’s signature act of service to society was Wilmot Warrior Weekend, which raised nearly $2,000 in the fall and again in the spring for cancer research at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, with brothers running, biking, and staffing the event. President Yuriy Sandmeier was inducted into the Order of Omega in recognition of his moral leadership, while also helping his club tennis team reach USTA sectionals.
Swimmer Ben Friedberg had a standout year, breaking the school’s nine-year-old 50-yard freestyle record and anchoring a program-record 200 medley relay that ranked among the top 70 in NCAA Division III.
PHI, University of Michigan (1865)
Phi posted a chapter GPA of 3.543 — a strong showing of intellectual engagement — above both the IFC and all-men’s averages, brought in an eight-man pledge class, and seated a new executive board. The chapter’s soccer and flag football teams both reached the fraternity league championship game.
Its annual Pie Upsilon event, an exercise in service to society, raised $690 toward Winterfest, benefiting the Autism Alliance of Michigan, the Fisher House Foundation, and the Women’s Center for Southeastern Michigan.
OMEGA, University of Chicago (1869)
Omega’s eleven prospective new members were immediately active in service to society, helping organize a memorial event — held jointly with Alpha Omicron Pi — that raised thousands of dollars for PAWS Chicago in honor of a UChicago student who had passed away. Brothers also supported a Hyde Park dance studio’s year-end performance and a campus food drive.
Archon Sammy Pichler closed out a term defined by moral leadership, while Will Foley and Max Rivera strengthened alumni outreach and began fundraising for a new back-lot project.
PI, Syracuse University (1875)
Pi had an exceptional year: 25 brothers made the Dean’s List in the fall (18 more in the spring), reflecting strong intellectual engagement, the chapter welcomed 10 new brothers in the fall and 14 in the spring, and philanthropy events raised over $13,000 combined for Meals on Wheels and the Movember Foundation, including a car-smash fundraiser with sister sorority Delta Gamma. Brother Trent Jamison completed treatment for lymphoma this spring and is now cancer-free — a moment of lifelong friendship the whole chapter rallied around.
The spring semester brought a 3.35 cumulative GPA, a half-marathon completed by six brothers together, and a service Saturday at an animal shelter that logged 224 hours in a single day. Remy Guillot was elected New Member Education Chair for the campus Interfraternity Council.
BETA BETA, Trinity College (1880)
After more than a year off suspension with the chapter house vacant, Beta Beta brothers moved back in, welcomed longtime chefs Dan “D2” Bergeron and Danny “D3” Rosa back to the kitchen, and held officer elections that renewed the chapter’s moral leadership. A November fundraiser for men’s mental health awareness — an act of service to society — raised thousands of dollars, and brothers handed out candy at Halloween on Vernon Street and donated to the Stuff-a-Cruiser Christmas Toy Drive.
On the field, Nick Behrens, Patrick McCaffrey, and Ethan Krauss were named Co-NESCAC Champions with the Trinity football team, and the chapter reached the finals in both intramural basketball and flag football — a strong return to lifelong friendship and brotherhood after a difficult stretch away from the house.
ETA, Lehigh University (1884)
Eta posted the highest new-member GPA on the Hill and saw an 18% jump in brothers named to the Dean’s List — a clear mark of intellectual engagement — aided by mandatory study hours and an academic big-brother program; by spring, 32% of the chapter made the Dean’s List with a 3.6 GPA or higher and zero members on probation. President Cullen Mangan conducted DNA-repair research at Laverty Lab, and the chapter raised roughly $900 for Active Minds and mental-health causes in the fall.
Spring brought sustained service to society — 434 combined hours at the Lehigh Valley Humane Society, a Polar Plunge that raised $500 for Special Olympics, and a dance-competition win with Kappa Delta that raised $650 for Active Minds. Senior Jake Feuerstein presented his research at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting, and Connor McDowell received the James J. Duane III Student Life Leadership Award.
TAU, University of Pennsylvania (1891)
Tau posted a 3.70 chapter GPA, reflecting strong intellectual engagement, and won the intramural soccer championship in the fall, while philanthropy chair Samuel Pañeda helped organize a 5K for the CASA Foundation ($1,000) and a coffeehouse fundraiser with the Friars Senior Honor Society that raised over $2,300. In the spring, the chapter’s Walk 27L Fashion Show was projected to raise over $2,600, and brothers Axel Mattson, Mikey Himes, Beto Valenzuela, and Daniel Bauer completed the IRONMAN 70.3 Texas.
The chapter also named its first Health and Wellness chair to promote responsible social conduct and regular check-ins among brothers. Several brothers received Psi Upsilon Foundation Scholarships, Mikey Himes was named a Psi Upsilon Outstanding Junior, and Alexander Dartnell was named MVP of the Ivy League squash tournament.
THETA THETA, University of Washington (1916)
Theta Theta took part in four philanthropy events this quarter in the spirit of service to society, kept a 3.53 average GPA reflecting intellectual engagement, and brought in a six-man winter pledge class — well above current Greek recruitment trends. Brother Samuel Hartin Pasco raised over $1,000 for Alpha Gamma Delta’s Mr. Greek philanthropy, and the chapter logged required volunteer hours with Seattle Rotary. The chapter’s Health and Wellness chair also practiced responsible social conduct by requiring two check-in meetings per quarter with every brother.
ZETA ZETA, University of British Columbia (1935)
Zeta Zeta weathered a first-semester social ban to post one of its strongest years yet, welcoming 22 fall pledges and 9 spring pledges and initiating 20 of the fall class along with all nine in the spring — a testament to the chapter’s lifelong friendship and brotherhood. The chapter’s “Psi U Think You Can Score?” charity soccer tournament, an act of service to society, raised over $700 for Breast Cancer Research Canada, and Formal 2026 — a two-day trip to Victoria — was the largest formal in the village.
Brothers logged over 220 service hours across the year and introduced new internal traditions, including an 8-week gym transformation challenge and a “Brother of the Semester” award, to rebuild social momentum after the ban.
EPSILON NU, Michigan State University (1943)
Epsilon Nu ran one of the largest rushes on campus, drawing over 350 potential members and extending 40 bids — growing its brotherhood and lifelong friendships — while holding a 3.2 chapter GPA. Brothers started a LUG Hockey team that became one of the league’s top teams, earned a national Greek Basketball Association ranking, and raised about $3,500 combined through a Landshark philanthropy event and a cancer-research fundraiser in service to society.
Spring rush drew 119 potential members and yielded 17 new brothers, and philanthropy stayed strong: bar nights raised $2,300 for Lansing Youth Sports Network, Winterfest raised $750 for the Brendan Davis Memorial Foundation, and a charity lacrosse game with Sigma Alpha Epsilon raised $600 for brain cancer research.
GAMMA TAU, Georgia Institute of Technology (1970)
Gamma Tau hosted a live-music fundraiser at the chapter house that raised $405 for Mosaic Georgia, and individual brothers logged extensive volunteer hours in service to society — from feeding patients at the Shepherd Center to removing invasive species and cleaning up the Atlanta Beltline. Keshav Parthasarathy’s senior capstone, “Bike Buddy,” won Best Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Project, an example of the chapter’s intellectual engagement, and Asher Gannon co-published a paper through an ACM student design competition.
Twelve brothers graduated this spring, several with faculty honors, and the chapter’s semiannual Philanthropy Show — featuring a band with over 43,000 monthly Spotify listeners — raised $711 for Refuge Coffee, which supports Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee community.
EPSILON IOTA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1982)
Epsilon Iota drew 30 unique attendees to informal rush events — more than triple the chapter’s size — and welcomed two new brothers, while a new Casino Night became an instant hit and strengthened lifelong friendships across the house. Brothers also reworked the chapter house basement and hosted a well-attended alumni game show.
Individually, Brother Li crocheted more than 25 items — hats, scarves, and blankets — for a local organization supporting children with autism, a quiet act of service to society, and two brothers took on leadership roles in RPI’s newly founded Student Transgender Association, providing moral leadership in support of a safe campus space.
PHI BETA, William & Mary (1984)
Phi Beta welcomed its largest new-member class ever (nine brothers) and put twelve on the fall Dean’s List — a strong showing of intellectual engagement — while every brother volunteered at least once at the Community Growers farm for a combined 57 hours of service to society. In the spring, the chapter placed 4th of 16 fraternities academically with a 3.557 GPA, and Landen Wright secured a first-ever homecoming partnership with music sorority Nu Kappa Epsilon along with funding for an English Honors Thesis.
Jack Nystrom won the chapter’s Outstanding Junior Award in recognition of his moral leadership, James McCormack received the intramural department’s Supervisor of the Year Award, and Joshua Pomeroy placed 3rd at the Commonwealth Cyber Fusion cybersecurity competition. Brothers also raised money for Habitat for Humanity through a Pie-a-Brother event and bake sale, and volunteered at Newport News repair blitzes and the local Humane Society.
PHI DELTA, University of Mary Washington (1996)
Phi Delta made intellectual engagement its centerpiece: no brother finished either semester below a 3.0, with 56% on the fall Dean’s List and 55% in the spring at a 3.5 chapter average. Career milestones followed suit — three brothers landed internships, one was accepted to Marine Officer Candidate School, and another was offered a full-time Foreign Service Officer position with the State Department.
After acknowledging a gap in service to society in the fall, the chapter rebounded in the spring with an average of 10.5 service hours per member, grew alumni support enough to help cover initiation fees and revive scholarships, and kept traditions of lifelong friendship alive, like the alumni-vs-actives flag football game.
LAMBDA SIGMA, Pepperdine University (1998)
Lambda Sigma put service to society at the center of its year in Malibu — a beach cleanup with Heal the Bay, volunteering at a Suicide Prevention Walk, installing a 9/11 memorial flag display, and supporting the Dream Center Los Angeles’s outreach to Skid Row.
The chapter’s biggest night of the year, Psi U Think You Can Dance, raised $35,000 for the Conquering Paralysis initiative of the United Spinal Association — a major contribution toward spinal cord injury research and one of the chapter’s strongest expressions of service to society.
ALPHA OMICRON, New Jersey Institute of Technology (1999)
Alpha Omicron held steady at 18 active brothers in the fall, welcoming two new members and hosting its annual Phoenix Banquet for members and alumni, while several brothers made the Dean’s List. In the spring, Nico Giovannetti stood out for his intellectual engagement — earning an American Heart Association research grant, joining NJIT’s Grace Hopper AI & Biomedicine Summer Research Program, and co-authoring a published preprint on biosensor design.
Stephen Junger was named a Psi Upsilon Outstanding Junior in recognition of his moral leadership while serving as an RA and interning with the NYC Department of Design and Construction. The chapter’s Valentine’s Flower Fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention became its central act of service to society for the year.
SIGMA PHI, Saint Francis University (2007)
Sigma Phi’s alumni chair finally re-founded the chapter’s alumni association after years without one, renewing lifelong friendship across generations of brothers, which took on the chapter’s debt and freed the group to hold events like a spring formal. The chapter also raised money through a Car Show ($750 net) and a self-built haunted mini-golf course ($200 net), and contributed to a Patch Together benefit concert that raised over $21,000 overall for families affected by tragedy.
The chapter’s spring momentum was capped by being named campus-wide “Fraternity of the Year,” winning the “Excellence in Community Involvement” award for its service to society, and ranking first in overall chapter assessment. Andrew Stewart was named Fraternity Man of the Year for his moral leadership, and Brandon Dick earned multiple biology honors along with acceptance to graduate school at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
PHI NU, Christopher Newport University (2010)
In its first fall back on campus, Phi Nu ran a door-to-door food and supply drive — an act of service to society — that collected 441 pounds of goods for Thrive Peninsula, while holding a 3.2 chapter GPA and placing three brothers on the Dean’s List. Brothers also practiced responsible social conduct in everyday campus life, making a point to greet fellow students, hold doors, and carry themselves as gentlemen during the chapter’s rebuilding year. Its first spring rush since returning drew 15 accepted bids out of 15 offered.
The chapter’s American Foundation for Suicide Prevention fundraising was its biggest philanthropic effort, raising $1,455, and three brothers — Henry Gagnier, Connor Robbins, and Cristian Person — were inducted into the Order of Omega leadership honor society in recognition of their moral leadership.
TAU EPSILON, Clemson University (2018)
Tau Epsilon hosted Mom’s Weekend for over 60 families alongside Clemson Ring Weekend, where seven brothers received their Clemson rings, and grew its alumni program enough to launch a new $500 chapter scholarship fund — strengthening lifelong friendship across generations. Alex Nickles graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was named Salutatorian of the College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences, and received the Phi Kappa Phi Certificate of Merit — one of only eight given campus-wide — the kind of intellectual engagement the chapter is known for.
The chapter logged roughly 310 service hours in the spring, including a major Habitat for Humanity home build, and joined Alpha Chi Omega for a Safe Harbor domestic-violence-awareness event that raised $41,534, both strong expressions of service to society.
DELTA OMICRON, Purdue University (2025)
Delta Omicron reached a milestone this year: its petition to become an official Psi Upsilon chapter was accepted, and the international executive board officiated its installation ceremony on October 18, reuniting the chapter with alumni in a celebration of lifelong friendship. The chapter also posted its largest-ever service turnout, 74 hours across 25 members in service to society, led by Purdue Winterization work for elderly neighbors.
Spring rush brought seven new members, growing the chapter to 32 — its largest size ever — and a new philanthropy event, Art Mart, raised $656 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Brother Ari Engman served as payload engineer on Purdue’s team in the 2026 NASA Student Launch Competition, an act of intellectual engagement, and graduating senior Molly Gard was accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
The Psi Upsilon Fraternity has partnered with Plaid, an organizational management firm with extensive experience in the fraternal space, to conduct a comprehensive member survey that will be distributed tomorrow. You will receive a personalized link to participate in the survey from Plaid within the next 24 hours (The sender will be ‘QuestionPro Survey’, and the subject will be – Invitation: Psi Upsilon Stakeholder Survey). This survey is an important opportunity for us to better understand how our members view the fraternity experience, our programs and initiatives, and the overall direction of the organization.
Over the past year, the Executive Council and Foundation Boards have been focused on strengthening the future of Psi Upsilon by improving our communications, enhancing programming and engagement across the brotherhood, and ensuring that our organization continues to provide a meaningful and valuable experience for undergraduate and alumni members at every stage of life. Your participation in this survey is an opportunity for every voice within Psi Upsilon to be heard. Whether you are an undergraduate member, alumnus, volunteer, donor, or otherwise engaged with Psi Upsilon, your perspective matters and will help shape the future of our fraternity.
The survey responses will be anonymous, and we strongly encourage you to provide candid and thoughtful feedback to support the following goals:
• Understand where we are succeeding, where we can improve, and how we can better serve our members and chapters in the years ahead.
• Align the efforts of our International Office staff, Executive Council and Foundation Boards and chapter volunteers on the aspirations of our members and the challenges facing our brotherhood
• Guide Psi Upsilon’s strategic planning efforts and refine our roadmap for investment in the future
Psi Upsilon has always been strongest when brothers remain engaged, invested, and willing to contribute their ideas and perspectives for the betterment of the organization.Results will be summarized in a written report that we plan to share with the brotherhood by late summer. I hope you will take the time to participate and help us build a stronger and more connected fraternity for tomorrow and future generations. If you have any questions, please contact myself or Executive Director Thomas Fox – tfox@psiu.org
Be one of the first 50 to complete the survey and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card—plus everyone who participates is entered in a second drawing for three more gift cards. You can even use it to grab Psi U merchandise at http://www.amazon.com/psiupsilon
The survey closes on June 10th, so please complete it as soon as you can.
Thank you for your continued support of Psi Upsilon and for your willingness to lend your voice and thoughts to this important work.
In 2005 the 162nd Psi U Convention created the Griffin Award for Senior Excellence to recognize members of the senior class who have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to Psi U in their final year of classes as an undergraduate. The purpose of this award is to maintain and encourage involvement by undergraduate brothers in their final academic year and to stimulate involvement with the chapter.
Each chapter votes on who should receive this award and reports it to the International Office.
Upperclassman participation is essential to the health of both individual chapters and the Fraternity as a whole. Psi Upsilon has endured for nearly two centuries only because generations of brothers have shared their experience, leadership, wisdom, and friendship with those who follow. We are grateful for all our Senior brothers and their contributions to their chapters.
We would like to congratulate and thank the following brothers for their dedication to our beloved fraternity:
The Psi Upsilon Outstanding Junior is a long standing tradition in the fraternity recognizing rising seniors who best exemplify the values of Psi Upsilon Fraternity: Lifelong Friendship, Moral Leadership, Intellectual Engagement, Responsible Social Conduct, and Service to Society.
Each chapter votes on who should receive this award and reports it to the International Office.
Many chapters began recognizing members in the Junior Class dating back to the early 1900s with this form of recognition, and would award them with “Alumni Keys”, a special version of the Psi Upsilon Badge that had a key to wind a pocket watch. In the 1980s the award was formalized by the Psi Upsilon Executive Council and Foundation and now Outstanding Juniors are recognized by the International Fraternity and receive the Alumni Key in the Fall or at the Awards Banquet as a part of the Psi Upsilon Convention.
We would like to congratulate and thank the following brothers for their dedication to our beloved fraternity:
Congratulations to the 28 brothers from 13 chapters who received scholarships for the 2026-27 Academic Year from The Psi Upsilon Foundation, including seven graduate awards!
The scholarship recipients were announced April 22 during an online award announcement and celebration hosted by Psi Upsilon Foundation Chair and President Alex Senchak, Eta ’06 (Lehigh), with special guest Steven A. Susi, Beta Alpha ’93 (Miami University), who introduced keynote speaker D. Kyle Hogarth, MD, Beta Alpha ’94 (Miami University). Brother Hogarth congratulated the recipients and offered comments on how Psi Upsilon has positively affected his life.
“No matter what you’re studying, that’s not the point. It’s both the age and the time, and the undifferentiated place that your brain is, and where it’s headed,” said Brother Hogarth. “So, we’re just proud to be able to make that journey easier. I think that’s one of the key things about your fraternity and about this organization in general, is that we’re here with you to make this journey easier for you.”
You can read the full transcript of Brother Susi’s funny and eloquent introduction and Dr. Hogarth’s inspiring words below.
Thank you to all the generous donors to the Psi Upsilon Annual Fund and everyone who has helped make these named scholarships possible. Since 1959, the Psi Upsilon Foundation has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships to our members because of the generosity of our donors! As we are approaching the end of our fiscal year, please make a gift to support the scholarships and programs of Psi Upsilon today. If you already have, check here to see if your company will double your impact with a matching gift.
Graduate Scholarships
Lewis Finkelstein, Omicron 1983 Awards • Lane Painter, Omega ’22 (Chicago
FishFund Awards • Amarachukwu Nwaoha, Zeta ’23 (Dartmouth) • Ahmad Hammo, Tau ’25 (Pennsylvania) • Zane Abdel, Epsilon Nu ’25 (Michigan State)
Henry B. Poor, Gamma 1939 Award • Lucas Rempel, Zeta Zeta ’22, (UBC) • Tuna Ergan, Gamma Tau ’23 (Georgia Tech)
Dr. Tony Kremer, Omicron 1987 Award • Stephen Karol, Zeta ’21 (Dartmouth College
Undergraduate Scholarships
Albert C. Jacobs, Phi ’21 Award • Tyler D. Hahn, Epsilon Nu ’27 (MSU)
Benjamin T. Burton, Chi ’21 • Devin R. Rosser, Upsilon ’28 (Rochester)
Curtis J. Rettke, Eta ’84 Award • Brandon Dick, Sigma Phi ‘25 (St. Francis)
Earl D. Babst, Iota-Phi ’93 • Aston Zhang, Delta Omicron ’28 (Purdue)
Eric W. Didul, Phi Beta ’90 Award • Jackson G. Lee, Gamma Tau ’27 (Georgia Tech
Gardner A. Callanen, Psi ’29 Award • Nathan Wildman, Psi ’27 (Hamilton College)
Gregg Rohlin, Phi ’83 Award • Leland T. Branco, Phi ’28 (Michigan)
Henry B. Poor, Gamma ‘39 Awards • Ayomide O. Awolesi, Tau ’27 (Pennsylvania) • Derek C. Ike, Tau ’27 (Pennsylvania) • Félix Premrou, Tau ’27 (Pennsylvania)
Michael D. Oberg, Theta Theta ’88 Award • Marbin Shrestha, Theta Theta ’27 (Washington
Paul D. Friday, Theta Theta ’26 Award • Reef Elalkamy, Zeta Zeta ’27 (British Columbia)
J. Russell McShane, Delta ’32 Award • Keira M. Healey, Epsilon Lota ’28 (RPI) • Samuel L. Paneda, Tau ’28 (Pennsylvania)
Jerome W. Brush, Jr.,Delta Delta ’39 Award • Elisa Miller, Gamma Tau ‘25 (Georgia Tech)
Jonathan E. Persky, Omega ‘85 Awards • Charlie L. Hermann, Epsilon Nu ’26 (MSU) • Blake Woodrel, Epsilon Nu ’28 (MSU
R. DeWitt Wallace, Epsilon ’14 Award •Zane Abdel, Epsilon Nu ‘25 (MSU)
R. Timothy Leedy, Phi ’57 Award •Zachary Kowalski, Phi ’27 (Michigan)
Robert W. Morey, Pi ’20 Awards • Dino A. Borghi, Pi ’27 (Syracuse) • Jack R. DiPasquale, Pi ’27 (Syracuse) • Cole S. Hashemi, Pi ’27 (Syracuse) • Alex G. Torres, Pi ’26 (Syracuse)
Robert W. Parsons, Xi ‘22 Award • Gian K. Dhingra, Tau ’27 (Pennsylvania)
Psi Upsilon was pleased to give out 28 scholarships this year!
Psi Upsilon Foundation Scholarship Announcement Keynote
April 22, 2026
We held an online announcement for the Scholarship recipients on April 22nd hosted by the Psi Upsilon Foundation’s Chair and President, Alex Senchak, Eta ’06 (Lehigh) with guest Steven A. Susi, Beta Alpha ’93 (Miami University), who introduced our keynote speaker D. Kyle Hogarth, MD, Beta Alpha ’94 (Miami University), who offered comments on how Psi Upsilon has positively affected his life. You can view a transcript of that speech below.
Steve, I would like to introduce you as a wonderful member and engaged brother of the Beta Alpha chapter to introduce our keynote address.
Steve Susi
Thank you, Brother Senchak.
Good evening, everyone and welcome to the Psi Upsilon Foundation Scholarships and Awards Ceremony.
My name is Steve Susi, Beta Alpha ‘93 (Miami University), and it is with great pleasure I address you for tonight’s ceremony. And for a little bit more about me, I may or may not be wearing pants.
So, I’ve been asked to introduce our keynote speaker tonight, and I want to start by saying,
on paper, Kyle Hogarth makes the rest of us. look nothing short of lazy and disheveled.
Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, Director of bronchoscopy.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Past president of the Society for Advanced Bronchoscopy. Oh, let me rephrase that, founder, actually, because apparently being in the Society wasn’t enough, so he had to start one. And I know all that and I’m really proud of all of that and you should know that, Kyle, but when I hear “Kyle Hogarth”, my brain doesn’t go to medical journals, no. It goes to electrical engineering.
You see, Kyle and I were brothers at Miami. I was social chair, which meant I got one of the two front balcony rooms. prized real estate…until Kyle lived in the room through the wall behind mine. With animals. And I don’t mean a golden retriever,
I mean he ran what can only be described as an unlicensed reptile sanctuary out of his room.
Snakes. Lizards. Hot rocks. Heat lamps.
And because the snakes needed to eat.
Mice. Live mice.
The man bred whole colonies of mice.
In a fraternity house that was barely up to code and made of equal parts copper wire and kindling. Now, all those terrariums in this makeshift zoo pulled a tremendous amount of electricity. So I’d wake up in the morning, flip on my coffee maker, and…power goes out.
And I’d shake my fist to the heavens and yell, “Goddamn Zoos!”
Then I’d go downstairs, reset the fuse, walk back to my room,turn on my stereo, and…POP!
“Goddamn Zoos!”
Even today, if my power flickers, I blame Horgarth and start yelling about zoos.
A note on that room, which he shared with Brother Tim Soltis, Kyle was always smartly dressed and deliberately presented, while Soltis usually resembled a man who just woke up under a bridge wearing one of his 7,000 alternative band tour shirts. Together, they formed the oddest of couples. Sultus, if you’re out there, we do love you.
Now, this isn’t funny about the “Goddamn Zoos”, but it’s just so Kyle.
One time I was walking into my room after class, and through his open door,
I could see he was on his hands and knees, tending furtively to something on the ground.
I learned quickly it was a lizard.
It had turned yellow after suffering some sort of cardiac event.
Kyle desperately attempted to save it by rubbing and gently pressing its abdomen and begging it to breathe.
When he was unsuccessful,
he was visibly devastated and in tears.
The spirit of that lizard watches over 111 East Spring Street,
Oxford, Ohio, where it’s pushing daisies in the backyard to this day.
Now, every Sunday night, we’d close chapter by passing the candle.
When you got it, you could say whatever was on your mind.
Most of us, myself very much included, just tried to get a laugh,or air grievances,or talk about the next social event. But every single week, Kyle shared something thoughtful. Something real and personal,something that made you think, this guy’s operating on a different level than the rest of us. And he was. He always was.
He’s a professor of medicine, he’s published in every journal that matters. He was the first doctor in the Midwest to use the Monarch, a robotic bronchoscopy navigation system with 3D imaging technology built into a robotic scope that allows them to reach deeper into the lung than ever before to detect or biopsy nodules and masses.
He saved untold human lives and extended their time on this earth with their loved ones.
He was the team doctor for the Chicago Blackhawks the last time they won the Stanley Cup.
I mean, he’s done all that, and Bro’s been on a championship parade float before.
I’m just saying. And 33 years ago this month, my senior year, he bought me a pair of concert tickets to the Ocean Blue Mighty Lemon Drops John Wesley Harding Show in Cincinnati, for which I skipped chapter. And he did that “just because”. I will never forget that gesture,and shall remain eternally grateful for Kyle’s selflessness and generosity.He is a gem of a man.
I’m beyond proud to call him my brother, and he’s our keynote speaker. It is with great pleasure, honor, and humility I present Dr. Kyle Hogarth, Beta Alpha ‘94 (Miami), to you and our celebration of scholarships and awards.
Thank you.
Dr. Kyle Hogarth Well, Steve, that, that didn’t disappoint as expected.
You know, I think Steve’s being a little too humble, without a doubt, the best speaker within the Beta Alpha in regards to being able to provide humor, as you all just saw. You know, I hope I can live up to these expectations now.
This is incredible.
You know, I give a lot of lectures, obviously, under the confines of my job, but in this particular case, I want to follow an advice that my lovely father-in-law gave me, and I know my wife Krista is on the Zoom here as well. He told me that there’s 3 important things to remember when you’re giving a speech of any kind, and those are the 3 rules of S.
Be sincere, be short, and then be seated.
So I’m not going to be here for very long, and I’m going to get some important messages across, but, you know, the theme of course is Psi U for Life, so I’m going to start with just the briefest of fun stories.
I randomly got a FaceTime call from brother David Wright, Beta Alpha c, the other day,
a couple weeks ago because he was out with a couple of the other brothers from the Beta Alpha on a trip. They were debating who was responsible for me becoming a member, or you can argue who brought me in, but who took me out for dinner that first night.
And of course, the answer was David. I think others were refuting that. The whole point is,
you’re always in this for life, including the random phone calls to argue and answer a bet.
So,to go from there, let’s get down to business. First and foremost, I want to begin by congratulating the recipients of this year’s scholarships and awards.
Your applications were inherently inspiring to the whole members of the committee.
I mean, I think you saw that, I was on that committee as well.
All of us, I think the whole point of this, we remember being at this phase of our lives, in that early stages of either both as an undergraduate or thinking of graduate school.
And, you know, the opportunities that each of you are about to undertake,
it excites everyone, because we remember being in that position. No matter what you’re studying, that’s not the point.
It’s both the age and the time, and the undifferentiated place that your brain is, and where it’s headed.
So, we’re just proud to be able to make that journey easier.
I think that’s one of the key things about your fraternity and about this organization in general,
is that we’re here with you to make this journey easier for you.
Obviously the monetary help for your education, that’s clear, and it’s an obvious benefit to the scholarship, but I want you to truly understand the origin and the meaning of your fraternity’s involvement in your education, because it obviously goes beyond money.
The most beautiful thing about pursuing a degree is the knowledge that you get. It remains with you forever. You can’t get that ever taken away, no matter where your career takes you, no matter where you go.
And it’s gonna always open doors, even if that’s honestly only a conversation about some random facts, but it’s things that you’ve learned, things that you know.
it’s obviously going to be a cornerstone to help you in your personal and professional development and, you know, your careers in general.
But it’s that acquisition of knowledge that doesn’t even have to have a purpose.
So, you know, one of the things I work at is the University of Chicago, and our unofficial slogan there is that someone will say, “That’s great in practice, but how does it work in theory?”
And obviously, though that’s, you know, a ridiculously silly statement, it really kind of highlights the spirit of what you want to always undertake when you’re pursuing any form of more education is that the cornerstone of education being important is just the sake of having that knowledge.
And that’s it.
It doesn’t have to have a purpose.
It doesn’t have to lead to a specific invention or something else.
It can just be knowledge for the sake of knowledge, hence why it’s important to know how it works in theory.
And so, you might ask, why would a fraternity itself invest in members in this way?
That type of question becomes immediately obvious to all of us who’ve undergone too many years of education.(Speaking for myself. way too many years of education!)
But that’s what’s gotten me lucky enough to be where I am today, and it’s the support of people around me, and it’s the support of friends and spouses but also your fraternity.
And your fraternity believes in education.
It’s a cornerstone of Psi Upsilon, and it believes in you.
The committee that reviewed all these applications, this is a competitive award,
and it believes in the vision that you outlined for yourselves and your own growth,
right?
You didn’t just get this because you happened to fill out a form.
You had to work for it.
You had to convince us what your vision is; where you want to go and why this is so important.
And again, that’s what gets all of us excited as you read these applications.
You see, you know, a little bit of yourself in that, as you watch what each person’s writing, excuse me, as you read what each person’s writing.
And so, the bonds that have held you into this organization, they are obviously lifelong.
It’s not just going to end when you’re an undergrad.
It’s not going to end one or two years after you graduated within your graduate school.
And obviously, as a fraternity, in what world would we not want to support our brothers in any way possible?
So, you know,it’s a natural extension of Psi Upsilon that this scholarship and these awards exist,
that this is a component of this. And I’m obviously honored to give this keynote address, or I could actually say, you know, teasingly to Jay Riemenschneider, It looks like Psi U’s hit an all-new low, but I appreciate it… I’m honored, and I honestly want to thank Psi U for this opportunity, and I do need to specifically thank Alex and Jay for allowing me to be involved with PsiU at this level, not just as a speaker, but in the ways that I’ve been able to be re-engaged with the scholarship program. it’s been wonderful, and I know it’s been wonderful for my wife, we’ve been able to go out for dinner with people and kind of touch base and not just to walk down memory lane just re-engage what everything about what the Fraternity meant.
You know, the thing that made me want to be a PsiU to begin with…the vision of a fraternity for life. I suppose, you know, that’s the whole component, a fraternity for life.
it was something that was said to me as an undergraduate, but to be honest, I don’t know if I ever truly felt what that meant, other than, I guess someday in the future I’ll see people or, you know, do alumni things or whatever.
Maybe at the time, I was just way too focused on what was immediately in front of me,
you know, next weekend’s party that Steve was arranging, but you never really thought about it from a big picture, and part of that, of course, I think is age, and part of that is the business of where you are when you’re an undergrad and an early grad, but…
You know, I’ve been eternally proud of what it’s meant to be a Psi Upsilon,
and I’m very proud of what it meant to be a Beta Alpha, and what it continues to mean to be a Beta Alpha.
This fraternity is different, and that’s what attracted me to it from the very beginning.
I’m proud of the ways that this fraternity has always been different, and set standards of what it means to be a PsiU, what it means to be in this organization.
This now centuries-old connection that we all share is something very unique,
and it should be cherished, and it should be nurtured, and that’s why I’m so glad to be a part of it.
So, as your life continues to move forward, as the award recipients who are in the pursuit of your education, in the pursuit of your life in general, just please continue to remain an active part of your brotherhood.
Psi Upsilon will always need your heart, and your time, and your love.
It’s not about money.
Sure, you know, your college will take your money, so will your undergrad, everybody’s going to want your money, but you know what PsiU always needs, more than your money, it really does need your heart and your time and your love.
There’s so much you can do to be a part of this organization at all times.
This is the key component of what being a PsiU has always meant.
As said before, PsiU is for life, and so I’m so glad that I got to, you know, spend some time here with you all, and thank you for this opportunity.
So, thanks so much.
Good night.
Alex Senchak
Thank you,
Kyle. This would be where everybody claps if we were not on Zoom.
So, please, don’t let the silence, scare you, but wonderful.
Thank you for that.
So, we have nothing left to do.
We will give you your evening back, or your afternoon if you’re on the West Coast.
But, what an awesome opportunity to get together yet again, as a brotherhood around intellectual excellence and the pursuit of academic work that you all are on.
Kyle, Steve, Jay, Jonathan, Bethann, Tom Fox, I just want to thank everybody on the call; all of the volunteers that make this possible. Especially thank you to the donors who every year come through and make this 200-plus year experiment possible.
So, thank you all, and enjoy the rest of your evening!
Dr. Kyle Hogarth Jokingly Alex…you said we have extra time? I can quickly pull up a few PowerPoints,
give a few lectures on…
Alex Senchak
Laughing Let’s go into breakout rooms for that, and anybody can choose to join you.
We’re committed to making it easier than ever for brothers, alumni, families, and friends to find quality Psi Upsilon merchandise. To support that goal, we’ve launched an official Amazon.com Store at amazon.com/psiupsilon.
Through this storefront, members will have access to a wide selection of apparel, accessories, gifts, and items to show your fraternity pride from multiple licensed vendors—many offering Prime shipping. Even better, vendors can continue adding new products throughout the year, allowing us to highlight seasonal favorites and fresh designs as they become available.
Every item featured in the Amazon Store is officially licensed. That means each purchase directly supports Psi Upsilon, helps offset undergraduate fees, and ensures that all merchandise meets high standards of quality while protecting our name, values, and trademarks.
We encourage all members to explore the store and discover the full range of offerings—from shirts and outerwear to graduation stoles, flags, and unique gifts. Whether you’re looking for a personal keepsake or the perfect present for a fellow brother, you’ll find something that reflects the spirit of our fraternity.
This new online storefront is made possible through our partnership with Affinity Licensing, a leader in trademark management and brand protection. And our other online store ShopPsiU.com is still live with many of the same items, so you can go wherever is easiest and shop with confidence.
The 2026 March Challenge has officially wrapped, and we’re thrilled to share the results: 116 donors from 26 chapters came together to raise more than $27,000 in support of Psi Upsilon. This incredible show of generosity reflects the strength of our brotherhood and the shared belief that the fraternity experience truly matters.
Here are some of the messages our donors had to say about why they support Psi U:
Psi U has led me to so many friendships that I’ll cherish forever and I hope that this will help continue to make those friendships possible for new people in the future.
Psi U offers a place of friendship, warmth, and belonging. The forged bonds last for a lifetime!
While at a much smaller scale, the leadership opportunities and lessons learned in college paved the way for success navigating the Navy through a command tour.
We meet brothers in such a critical transition period. We support adults as they begin to become who they are and on and on through all of life. Thank you all.
Psi U is where I met my wife, got my first job, and met the majority of my closest friends.
When I was initiated I was resolute that I would continue my support. Now that I am 90 I am still resolute.
To everyone who donated, encouraged others to give, or helped spread the word—thank you! And a special thanks goes to the brothers whose matching gifts amplified the impact of this year’s challenge:
Timothy Zepp, Chi Delta ’08 (Duke) – $1,000
Madison Turkette, Delta Omicron ’19 (Purdue) – $1,000
Jon Szynkowski, Epsilon Nu ’06 (Michigan State) – $1,000
Jake Schmidt, Chi Delta ’11 (Duke) – $5,000
Larry Rakers, Omicron ’86 (Illinois) – $5,000
James Platner, Phi Delta ’10 (Mary Washington) – $500
Thomas Fox, Omicron ’00 (Illinois) – $1,000
And congratulations to our 2026 March Challenge champions: Gamma Tau at Georgia Tech, leading the way with 24 donors followed by our newest chapter, the Delta Omicron at Purdue and the Epsilon Nu at Michigan State coming in third. The competition was fierce, and every chapter that participated helped make this year’s challenge successful.
Standings as of 12:00 AM PDT, March 16th
Your Support Is Fueling Real Growth
Every gift to the March Challenge directly strengthens Psi Upsilon Fraternity’s Annual Fund, which powers the programs, staffing, and expansion efforts that keep our fraternity thriving. Since starting the March Challenge in 2020, your generosity has helped us:
Launch a comprehensive online Recruitment Certification Program, now used across the fraternity, with more than 150 certified recruiters.
Redevelop “A Mighty Friendship,” our modern, values‑driven New Member Education Program.
Pursue new expansion opportunities, including efforts to reestablish the Iota (Kenyon), Chi (Cornell), Delta Nu (Keene State), and our mother chapter, the Theta at Union College.
Support increased recruitment, with 391 new members initiated last year and 281 already initiated this academic year—putting us on pace to surpass that milestone.
This year’s success positions us to take another major step: hiring a Growth Coordinator to provide hands‑on recruitment support to chapters and help bring dormant chapters back to life.
Looking Ahead
Although the challenge officially closed at midnight Pacific on March 16, you can still visit the campaign page to view the leaderboard and see who contributed from your chapter. And yes—gifts are still coming in, which we deeply appreciate.
Below, you’ll find some of the graphics and highlights we shared throughout the campaign. They represent not just a fundraising effort, but a community coming together with purpose, pride, and a shared vision for Psi U’s future.
Thank you again for making the 2026 March Challenge such a success. With more than $27,000 raised, we’re off to an inspiring start to the year—and we can’t wait to show you what your support will make possible next.
At the Archons Academy and Social Impact Fellowship Reception on Friday, January 9, in Alexandria, Virginia, Brother James Platner Phi Delta ’10 (Mary Washington) was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Established in 1998, this award recognizes alumni whose dedication and service bring honor to Psi Upsilon—particularly through their impact on individual chapters. Jim now joins a select group of just 36 brothers who have received this distinction.
Jim’s commitment to Psi Upsilon began during his undergraduate years, when he served as Chapter President during a period of significant growth. Under his leadership, the chapter expanded its membership, strengthened internal operations, earned the Clasped Hands Award for Excellence in Philanthropy, and fully retired all outstanding undergraduate debt—an achievement that positioned the chapter for long‑term success.
His dedication only deepened after graduation. Jim served for many years as President of the Phi Delta Alumni Association, offering steady leadership, mentorship, and strategic guidance. Even after becoming an Alumni Board Emeritus member, he remained a unifying force, fostering connections across generations and helping sustain a vibrant alumni community.
Jim’s influence extends beyond the chapter level. He has served on Psi Upsilon’s Executive Board and represented the Phi Delta at numerous conventions. Among his most notable accomplishments was leading the Phi Delta 25th Anniversary Celebration and the Phi Delta 25 Fund—the largest alumni event in chapter history—which raised $15,000 and re‑energized alumni engagement.
Today, Jim continues to mentor undergraduates, support recruitment efforts, and contribute to major initiatives, including preparations for the upcoming 30th Anniversary Celebration. His steady leadership and ability to bring brothers together exemplify the very best of Psi Upsilon.
Please join us in congratulating Brother Jim Platner on this well‑deserved honor. His service, loyalty, and lifelong commitment continue to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood for all.
If you know of deserving Psi U alum for this award please nominate them by using this form.
“His sustained leadership, service at both the chapter and international levels, and his unique role in preserving and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood make him an exemplary candidate for this honor.” – Daniel Kauffman, Phi Delta ’10
Jim Platner receiving the Award from Executive Council President Tim Zepp, Chi Delta ’08
