On December 4th, several Psi Upsilon alumni gathered at the Woodcliff Hotel in Rochester, New York, to present Thomas T. Hanford, Gamma ’62 (Amherst), with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. This award recognizes alums whose service and dedication to the fraternity and their chapters bring great honor to the organization.
For nearly 50 years, from 1973 to 2022, Tom served as an officer on the Gamma alumni corporation’s board, including as President from 1994 to 2011. In this role, he diligently educated undergraduates on the Gamma’s history and guided them through the chapter’s years of off-campus operations after Amherst College compelled the sale of their chapter house. Demonstrating his steadfast commitment to the broader Psi U fraternity, Tom also provided counsel to the Upsilon Chapter in his hometown of Rochester, NY, and assisted in reestablishing that chapter in 2013.
In 2003, Tom became a member of the Psi Upsilon Foundation’s board, and from 2004 to 2008, as its Chairman provided critical leadership to the Foundation and Fraternity. Tom helped Psi U make tough decisions that sustained the fraternity through a period of financial existential crisis. Tom has been a very generous donor to the Annual Fund, is a member of the Pillar Society, and was one of the first brothers to offer a substantial match of contributions to the Annual Fund, starting a trend that is part of the lifeblood of Psi U’s finances today.
A true gentleman, Tom has served Psi U selflessly and expertly in many capacities, while greatly enjoying the fellowship of his brothers. Tom Hanford has truly represented the life of a distinguished Psi U alumnus and brother.
