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ReviewThe of Psi Upsilon

Spring 2011

Armed with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, George Howell was anxious to get on with his life when he graduated from Lehigh University

in 1955. Howell admits he little considered the role his “lifelong brotherhood” would actually play in his long life, even as he’d held numerous leadership roles during his four years with Eta chapter. “I didn’t consider the fraternity thing to be over, really, but neither did I say ‘Oh boy, I can’t wait to come back to our chapter reunion.’”

Yet thanks to one tiny thread of a connection -- an annual dinner for brothers in his boyhood home of Elmira, New York -- George Howell has indeed perpetuated a great many fraternal ties throughout the last half century and longer.

“They’d get 30-40 men at a local club and, tell stories and sing Psi U songs. I started attending as an undergraduate ... and I’ve gone ever since. It would sort of recharge my Psi U batteries.”

Howell also began to contribute “modestly” each year to Psi Upsilon “as a gesture of loyalty ... I always try to support the organizations of which I am a part.”

Over the years, others encouraged Howell to become more active at the international level. “But it wasn’t until Henry Poor approached me a few years back that I agreed. Brother Poor was a much-admired icon; he didn’t miss a Psi U dinner in Elmira for 20 or 25 years. He would drive up from Philadelphia, have dinner, and drive back home the same night! One of the last times we were together [before Poor’s death in 2009], Henry asked me to join the Foundation’s Board.”

In 2007, Howell was elected as a director of the Psi Upsilon Foundation. In that role, he collaborates to raise and direct funding for the Fraternity’s leadership and scholarship initiatives. “Back in my day at Eta, we weren’t terribly conscious of the national organization’s importance to us. In my later years I’ve certainly realized that local chapters would find it very difficult, if not impossible, to survive in any form without the support of the international organization.”

George considers that a brother’s leadership development is the most important singular advantage he has to gain by association with Psi Upsilon. “There are the soft leadership skills -- the great lessons of life -- to live cooperatively and congenially in a relatively small group and a relatively small space; to develop a lot of social and

The Whole PackageAlumnus Exemplifies Generosity, Loyalty, Leadership

Continued on page 2...

The Whole PackageAlumnus Exemplifies Generosity, Loyalty, Leadership

Psi U Expandsand Returns

“PR Guy” Lauds Opportunities, Rewards of Brotherhood

inside This issUe

in Washington, DC June 24 - 26, 2011.

More information will be posted at www.psiu.org

June 24-26, 2011

Washington D.C.

168TH

PSI UPSILONCONVENTION

Leadership Institute

Phi Delta 15th Anniversary

Join Psi U brothers from around the world at the

To his brothers at Psi U’s Sigma Phi chapter, Curtis Webb is known as “the PR guy.” Indeed, the business management major says that without the Fraternity, “I might’ve never found my passion for marketing and promotions.”

Now a senior, Curtis never intended to join a fraternity when he enrolled at St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. “I had an idea of what I thought Greek life was all about, and I didn’t want that kind of experience. But when I accepted an invitation to a couple of Psi U events, I just felt like I fit in. The Sigma Phi brothers stood out -- they were the guys who wore suits and ties and attended formal events on campus,” Curtis recalls.

From the start Curtis has put his energy and talents at the service of his six-year-young chapter, his campus, and beyond. Skilled in graphic design

and photography, he developed Sigma Phi’s website and “branded” the chapter’s image by producing an impressive array of printed and online materials. This helped him land several paying jobs with various campus organizations. Curtis then snagged a valuable internship at Psi U’s International Office, where he explored the business side of the Fraternity, an experience he says “definitely enhanced my skills.”

To further assist young brothers like Curtis in developing socially, intellectually and morally, the Psi Upsilon Foundation awards merit-based scholarships. Curtis has achieved the rare honor of earning not just one, but two of these coveted grants.

“I’m the kind of guy who applies for everything ... my dad had this motto as I was growing up. ‘You have to put your name in the bucket.’”

Of the two awards, Webb says, “This assistance has been fantastic. I mean, it’s sometimes hard to see what our dues are going toward because it’s very intangible -- it’s what you get back mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But a financial scholarship is a very tangible thing. I’ve been able to focus much more time and attention on the betterment of our chapter.”

Curtis commends the Psi Upsilon Foundation and its donors for the commitment to helping members in this way. “Most of us [students] have so little income. The scholarships benefit us [recipients], and then we can give back to the Fraternity.”

Which is exactly what Curtis has done. During one pledge session in a recent semester, he learned of a prospective member whose family was in very difficult financial straits. He knew Psi U’s initiation fee would undoubtedly place a burden on the candidate. With a few calls to alumni, the chapter was able to get his dues paid for the semester to give the pledge “a head start.”

Today, looking back over his four years of college, Curtis says his life looked very different during freshman and sophomore years. “I was too ambitious, stepping up for roles that really weren’t a good fit for me. And here, too, Psi Upsilon has helped me to think more critically. I’m not good at everything and I should focus on the one area where I can serve best.”

In addition to both the “tangible” and “intangible” rewards of brotherhood, Curtis is happy for those moments he’ll never forget ... the freezing winter day when his “big” discovered the young brother hadn’t brought a heavy jacket to college and “so he literally gave me the coat off his back.” And traveling to Parma, Italy with two chapter brothers “and I knew we’d be OK because we just counted on each other the whole time.”

Soon to leave his brothers behind at Sigma Phi, Curtis is positive he will never leave Psi U behind. “I’m looking forward to being on the giving end ... I know I’ll be involved, when I’m 40, or 50, and beyond.”

Check out Brother Webb’s design of Sigma Phi Chapter’s website at www.thepsiu.com.

In September, a new colony was established at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. The colony will need to meet Psi U’s chapter standards which are focused on establishing a solid foundation for future growth of the chapter. Requirements include increasing the number of members, establishing an alumni association, having a faculty advisor, implementing a budget, participating in Psi Upsilon programs, starting a reserve fund, securing IFC recognition and writing bylaws. Contact Archon Drew Crosby at wcrosby2@student.gsu.edu if you are interested in encouraging or mentoring the colony.

In October, the Phi Nu chapter was installed with twenty-five founding fathers who were the first members of an interest group that chose to affiliate with Psi Upsilon. Located at Christopher Newport University, which is considered by US News and World Report to be one of the top up and coming colleges in the United States, the group meets at an off campus house rented by some of the brothers. The chapter is proud of attaining the highest GPA among the 7 fraternities on campus and raised more money for charitable causes than any other group on campus last year. The Phi Nu chapter is already a star among Psi U chapters.

In February, Rho alumni gathered to pledge new members for the first time in nearly thirty years at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. These pledges will be referred to as the Rho Owl Club until they meet the chapter standards and are granted full chapter status by the Executive Council. Psi U is excited to be back in Madison and very grateful for the support of alumni in the area who are a generation or two older than the current pledges. The Owl Club will focus on recruitment strategies in the coming year and would appreciate recruitment recommendations for potential members who are students at Wisconsin – Madison. Send contact information of interested students to James Swanke at jswanke@wisc.edu.

interpersonal skills. But then there are the leadership programs that help you develop skills to manage chapter challenges.”

It is for those efforts that George Howell says alumni participation and annual financial support is especially important.

“Sound character and leadership training is one of the most valuable things we [alumni and Psi U] are in a position to provide -- skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. I have to say that the undergraduates I’ve met seem to be very appreciative and receptive to it; they’ve impressed me as mature beyond their years.”

George Howell believes that alumni generosity for the leadership development of their Psi Upsilon successors is a worthy endeavor. “Sometimes I am surprised [by alumni indifference]. For the great majority of us who had a genuinely positive experience, to give back, even a little, seems to me a very good way to help a new generation of young men looking to find their niche, just as we were.”

For Howell, the role of fundraiser isn’t always easy. “I’m involved in quite a few organizations, and asking for money isn’t easy, but it is needed. And I’ll be honest -- I have a lot of friends in Elmira who cross the street when they see me coming!”

Brother George Howell is a member of the Eta chapter of Psi Upsilon. He is Chairman of the Board for F.M. Howell & Co., a 127-year-old family business which manufactures, sells, and services custom packaging products.

The Whole PackageContinued from page 1

“PR Guy” Lauds Opportunities, Rewards of Brotherhood

Last year Psi U’s chapters raised $86,385 to support local charities and provided 7,722 hours of community service.

Did You Know?

Psi U Expands and ReturnsThree new jewels are in the process of helping Psi U add to its chapter roll.

The Georgia State Colony was pledged at Alumni Hall on the Georgia State campus located in the heart of Atlanta. Georgia State is a public university with more than 31,000 students.

Some of the Founding Fathers of the Phi Nu Chapter at Christopher Newport University gather at a campus landmark.

Rho alumni Bob Morris, DeWitt Strong, John Andrews, Dale Veerhusen, Mike Blohm joined Tom Fox, Director of Chapter Services and Mark A. Williams, Executive Director in pledging the newest brothers of the Rho Owl Club on President’s Day 2011.