The Fraternity Executives Association Distinguished Service Award recognizes sustained and successful leadership in interfraternity affairs and outstanding support of the FEA’s mission “…the professional development of its members while promoting the values and success of the fraternal movement”. This year, at the FEA’s annual meeting in Denver, Mark Williams was recognized for his 27-year career at our International Office, exemplifying the award’s highest ideals.
From 1990 until 2012, Mark served as Executive Director of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and Foundation and continued leading the Foundation until his 2017 retirement. His tenure brought transformative modernization: he established the Summer Leadership Institute in 1991 and the Presidents Academy in 1994, developed our first proprietary database, launched Psi Upsilon’s inaugural website in 1996, and directed the strategic relocation of the International Office to Indianapolis in 1993. These initiatives strengthened our infrastructure, elevated member engagement, and laid the foundation for continued growth.
Mark’s vision extended beyond Psi Upsilon. Drawing on his legal background, he volunteered as a director for FIPG (1993–1996) and FRMT (1998–2017), served on committees for the North-American Interfraternity Conference and its foundation, and chaired the Institute for Greek Advancement (2011–2013). His six year tenure as an FEA director, culminating in his presidency in 2010, underscores his belief that interfraternal collaboration amplifies the impact of every organization.
Please join us in congratulating Mark Williams on this well-deserved honor. His visionary leadership and passion for fraternity life have left an enduring legacy at Psi Upsilon and across the Greek-letter community. Mark is the second Psi U to receive this honor, following Henry Poor, Gamma ’39 (Amherst) who served as Psi Upsilon’s Executive Director prior to Mark.
You can view Mark’s Acceptance speech, where he stresses how much he got back by learning from other leaders and offers advice to everyone: “… Michelangelo didn’t learn to paint by reading a book on painting, he learned by painting. We learn by leading…” on our YouTube channel here.
