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James Platner, Phi Delta ’00 (Mary Washington), receives the Distinguished Alumni Service Award

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

James Platner, Phi Delta ’00 (Mary Washington), receives the Distinguished Alumni Service Award Read More »

03.20.26 – Great Lakes Founders Day

Mark your calendar for the evening of Friday, March 20, and get ready to gather at the Lochmoor Country Club in Grosse Pointe Woods! Formal Event, more details to follow.

The Epsilon Nu and Phi chapters are excitedly planning the Great Lakes Founders Day Dinner and all members of Psi Upsilon, from any chapter, are encouraged to attend!

Meet our new pledges, active members, alumni and leadership of both chapters and enjoy dinner and drinks!

Yours in the Bonds,

The Great Lakes Founders Day Committee

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04.29.2026 – 2026 Psi Upsilon FishFund Annual Venture Summit

2026 FishFund Venture Summit and Venture Presentations

You are cordially invited to our FishFund Venture Summit & Presentations
Hear from thought leaders and investors in the innovation space and learn about new projects helmed by Psi Upsilon brothers.

Significant others and guests are welcome!

Wednesday, April 29th, 2026.
A panel discussion
, ticketed reception, presentations, and networking 6 PM – 9PM.

University Club of San Francisco
800 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Tickets:
Reception Fee: 
New Graduates (2018+) $45     ♦
    Alumni $65  
♦    Host $300    ♦    
Gold Sponsor $1000


Dress is business attire

Heavy Appetizers & Full Bar
Business Casual

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.

Founded in 2021, the Psi Upsilon FishFund is designed to Honor, Support, Educate, and Facilitate the projects and skills of venture-minded brothers of Psi Upsilon. Learn more at www.psiu.org/fishfund/


MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR HOSTING BROTHERS

•C

•Joseph P. Cillo, PhD, Delta ’61 (New York University)

Make a Donation Here or Text GIVE to (317) 399-4318 to make a tax-deductible suggested donation of $25+ to the Foundation & support our programs, operations and outreach efforts like this.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:
•Hosted Cocktail hour and heavy appetizers on the 4th floor of the historic University Club of San Francisco and ample time for Networking
•The 2026 FishFund Venture Summit will include a discussion around what sparks interest in VC and angel investors


Panelists

Cameron Turner
Zeta ’96 (Dartmouth)
General Partner Oxonian Ventures

Cameron Turner is founder and CEO of TRUIFY.AI, serving US Fortune 500 with AI solutions.  Drawing from 30 years experience in enterprise data, including the founding of two companies: ClickStream, (acq. Microsoft 2009) and Datorium )acq. Kin+Carta (LON:KCT) 2021) Cameron brings a wealth of hands-of experience in leading teams to deploy AI solutions that uniquely fit the technology and culture of his clients.  Cameron also serves as General Partner of Oxonian Ventures, a VC fund investing in Oxford University graduates, and volunteers with the Venture Studio at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stanford University.  Cameron received his BA from Dartmouth College (Zeta, ’96), MBA from Oxford University and MS in Statistics/AI from Stanford University.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronroyceturner/



Interested in pitching your company? Click here to tell us about your venture.

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01.27.26 – Service to Society: A Discussion for Philanthropy and Service Chairs

Join us for this discussion where we’ll dive into the essentials of Service projects and how to plan impactful Philanthropy events! We’ll explore everything from selecting the perfect event to budgeting, delegating tasks, managing the day, and reflecting on what could be improved for next time. This session is designed to equip you and your chapter with the tools you need to choose, plan, and carry out successful events year after year. If you’ve recently stepped into the role of External VP, Philanthropy or Service Chair, or if you’re eager to enhance your chapter’s effectiveness in service projects, you won’t want to miss this! Save the date: Tuesday, January 27th, at 5 PM Eastern.

Zoom info: https://sstarnet-org.zoom.us/j/88163831525?pwd=fEapy6g2rqZ8RXkDJr88gfrA7NeghW.1&from=addon

Meeting ID: 881 6383 1525
Passcode: 904235


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01.27.26 – New Member Education Best Practices

No matter whether your chapter initiates new members immediately or follows an extended eight‑week education process, it’s essential to provide a thoughtful orientation and a meaningful introduction to fraternity life. This session will invite you to share your most effective practices—how you help new members feel welcomed, build connections within the chapter, learn our history, and understand the operations that keep your chapter thriving.

We will also highlight key insights from our New Member Education guide, A Mighty Friendship, along with observations gathered during recent chapter visits.

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, January 27th, at 6 PM Eastern. We look forward to an engaging conversation focused on creating a strong and supportive start for every new member.

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86897587411?pwd=JerJeYWLXdYnaQ8Z6rtbd2V9Xx6Mky.1

Meeting ID: 868 9758 7411
Passcode: 336537


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01.27.26 – How to Better Engage with Alums

One of the most meaningful aspects of fraternity life is the strength and breadth of our alumni network. Yet building consistent, intentional engagement with alumni can be challenging. How are we sharing updates from the chapter? What does effective preparation for Homecoming or an Alumni Reunion look like? Are we maintaining regular communication with our advisors, or only reaching out when issues arise? And most importantly, how do we ensure our alumni feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the chapter?

Alumni are eager to support our undergraduates, but they often aren’t sure where their help is most needed—just as many chapters aren’t always sure what to ask for. During this session, we’ll invite you to share how your chapter currently engages alumni, what you hope to improve, and what support would be most meaningful. We’ll also highlight best practices from chapters that have built strong, sustainable alumni relations programs.

Together, we can strengthen the bonds that make our fraternity experience truly lifelong and promote that “Psi U is For Life”.

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, January 27th, at 7 PM Eastern. We look forward to an engaging conversation focused on creating a strong and supportive start for every new member.

Zoom info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87487812476?pwd=AQ3OaKNyOr466X8qNm4AJKUWVGi6wX.1

Meeting ID: 874 8781 2476
Passcode: 113428

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01.28.26 – Psi U Cares: Maintaining a Health and Wellness Program

Join us for a roundtable discussion centered on the Psi U Cares Program and the essential steps we can take to strengthen the mental wellness of our members. Together, we will revisit the origins of the program, highlight the key initiatives we encourage every chapter to adopt, and discuss why these efforts matter for the health of our brotherhood.

We will also explore practical strategies for creating a proactive environment in the chapter and how you utilize the Health and Wellness Chair and what ideas you implement to support one another.

If you have recently been elected as Health and Wellness Chair, or serve in a related leadership role, this conversation is especially for you.

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 28th, at 5 PM Eastern. We look forward to an engaging conversation focused on creating a strong and supportive start for every new member.

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88939783528?pwd=VK2mmuwOA3zAQVgOaLETTMpb8WG4aL.1

Meeting ID: 889 3978 3528
Passcode: 137778


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01.28.26 – Thesauristes Academy for Chapter Treasurers

Wednesday, January 28th from 6 until 7:30 PM EST

The Theasauristes’ Academy will assist chapter treasurers as they begin, or currently serve, in their respective roles. Led by Psi Upsilon Fraternity Staff via a Zoom meeting the following topics will be covered:

  • How to create an effective chapter budget
  • Best practices for collecting chapter dues
  • The role of fundraising in a chapter
  • Federal Tax ID number, and tax filing requirements
  • The Assessment Schedule – what fees you are responsible for and what they go towards
  • Online resources to assist you

We will also take some time to answer any questions that you have and discuss any challenges that you are facing. We ask that every Chapter Treasurer, and any assistants to the treasurer, be in attendance via computer for this important workshop.

Zoom meeting info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86138691422?pwd=VineWP7RyhOqQ7xU5AAoUiMqBE2bpR.1

Meeting ID: 861 3869 1422
Passcode: 414092

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01.29.26 – A Commitment to Excellence: Setting Goals AND Following Through

Join fellow officers for a focused roundtable on effective goal‑setting and follow‑through using the Commitment to Excellence Goal Setting Retreat or other programs. This discussion will explore practical strategies for identifying meaningful priorities, creating realistic action plans, and building accountability within your officer team. Participants will share successful approaches from their own chapters and learn techniques to ensure goals don’t just get set—they get accomplished.

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, January 29th, at 5 PM Eastern to discuss this important topic as we continue to improve our chapters.

Zoom info:
https://sstarnet-org.zoom.us/j/83425321420?pwd=omUCn7cc2ggFppnk4INUXFPXf46Quj.1&from=addon

Meeting ID: 834 2532 1420
Passcode: 36936

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01.29.26 – Brotherhood Development: Creating Events to Engage Members

How does your chapter bond? This session focuses on strategies for planning and executing impactful events that foster deeper connections among fraternity members. Attendees will explore creative engagement strategies that emphasize shared experiences to strengthen connections within the brotherhood. We’ll discuss practical tips for event planning, leveraging member interests, and creating a sense of belonging, all aimed at enhancing overall fraternity unity and involvement. If you’re in charge of managing Brotherhood events for your chapter, or would like to improve what your chapter is already doing, be sure to join us for this session! Save the date: Thursday, January 29th, at 6 PM Eastern.

Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85681682090?pwd=IbqF2BAYTwuLFtpEOrZ1MZuoSESMX0.1

Meeting ID: 856 8168 2090
Password: 252689


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