Frank Harrington
AW2019 - Registration Live!

Get ready for the Pi Chapter annual Alumni Weekend, to be held 26-28th, 2019! Hotel and registration details available.

AW2019 - Registration Live!
Frank Harrington
Deadline Approching for 2018 Fundraising ...

2018 Fundraising Campaign Deadline is approaching!

Deadline Approching for 2018 Fundraising Campaign
Alumni Weekend
Frank Harrington
Save the Date! Alumni Weekend 2017 - April ...

Get ready for the Pi Chapter Alumni Weekend to be held April 28-30th, 2017. See below for link to reserve your room at the Hilton Garden Inn at our discounted rate.

Josh McWilliam
Zeta Psi Presentation Room Inauguration

Pi Zetes at the Sunday Brunch inauguration of "Zeta Psi Presentation Room" in the Folsom Library. Design and build of the room funded by our $75,000 gift to RPI in honor of our 150th Anniversary last year.

Zeta Psi Presentation Room Inauguration
Josh McWilliam
John Spohn Retires as Elder Phi

After faithfully serving as elder Phi for over 8 years, John Spohn '81 has stepped down as elder Phi and will replace Rick Kasold '70 as chairman of the board. 

John Spohn Retires as Elder Phi

Update from Troy

The end of the Spring 2010 semester has been quite hectic, and we're sorry for not updating for a while.  First of all, we'd like to congratulate the following Zetes for graduating from RPI on May 29:

  • Michael Bruce
  • Jeremy Colon
  • Steve Thomas
  • Joseph Brust
  • Tim Plante
  • Eric Anderson
  • Tim Rupp
  • Ed Reis
  • Jeremy Crouse

All of those guys had successful academic careers, and each has contributed in his own way towards furthering the good name of Zeta Psi.

There is also much work being done to the property.  Currently, the chapter house's electrical system is being upgraded.  Each room on the second and third floors will have its own circuit, and the third floor circuit breaker has been upgraded.  In addition, one wall in each second and third floor bedroom will have a plug-in strip with at least six connections to avoid the need for power strips and extension cords.  The electrical requirements of the actives has increased greatly since 1951, with computers, TVs, and refrigerators replacing desk lamps and transistor radios, so this project will allow the residents to enjoy a safer, more convenient living space.

There is also a lot of carpentry work taking place.  Six third floor windows are being replaced, and Azek will be used for the sill and outside trim.  Also, the center section of the basement ceiling is being replaced, and the floor is being repaired.  The sills and insides of the dining room window frames are to be sanded, stained, and sealed.  The front door is to be replaced.  Finally, exterior soffits and trim will be repainted as necessary.

The library is being renovated.  Furniture will be installed in August, and the actives will finally enjoy a quiet area to hit the books.

Finally, extensive landscaping has been completed.  The chapter house's grounds look beautiful now, and the neighbors are quite happy.

Update from the Active Chapter.

Dear Fellow Brothers, First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who attended the 59th annual Alumni Weekend. I think it was a great success, and I had a great time! Though I did help plan from the actives side, a huge shout out needs to be given to the following brothers: Mike Bruce, Frank Harrington, Glenn Anderson, and Jim Ljunglin, who all did an outstanding job organizing/carrying out this event.

Secondly, this past weekend, two more brothers joined our sacred circle at approximately 3 AM Sunday. After months of pledging and a week of limited sleep, both of these fine men are ecstatic in becoming brothers and relieved in finishing their pledge process. Justin Persin, the current pledgemaster, ran a fairly smooth process that I feel has benefited our society as a whole. The two newly initiated brothers are as follows: Dan Barrett hailing from Dedham, MA and Gregory Mummah hailing from Barnet Valley, PA. Congratulations to the both of you.

In other news, the Pi chapter is an a telling time with numbers low, the most important rush in a while, and mixed attitudes of how the future will turn out. I believe the Pi chapter will continue to see great days after the current class of graduating seniors leaves. At the moment, Zachary Soens, Kyle Gleken, and other actives are in the midst of combining their thoughts with a elder committee that should result in success. Also congratulations to the following seniors who are moving on/graduating from undergraduate school:

Steve Thomas - Chemistry, Graduate School at Columbia Jeremy Colon - Economics/Mathematics - Actively pursuing a job John Behmer - Computer Systems and Computer Engineering -Co-terminal program at RPI Sam Nataro - Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering - Co-terminal program at RPI Ed Reis - Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineering - possible Co-terminal program at RPI Jeremy Crouse - Mechanical Engineering - Actively pursuing a job Tim Rupp - Management - pursuing a job or might play basketball in Europe Eric Anderson - Management - Actively pursuing a job Joe Brust - EMAC - Actively pursuing a job Tim Plante - Biomedical Engineering - Continued school in chiropracticing

Coming to a close this school year, Zetes had a rough start in the IFC league in the fall, but ended up getting 3rd place in the race for the barker. Events this semester included: volleyball, racquetball, billiards, ping pong, and basketball Justin Persin did a fine job as sports chairman in getting able bodied people to attend these events.

Elections also occurred this past Sunday and are as follows:

Risk Manager: Jamison Zajac House Manager: Dodds Anderson Kitchen Manager: Nolan Ceuch Sports Chairman: Justin Persin Community Service: Dan Barrett Scholarship: Gregory Mummah Composite: Rob Hoy Rush: Soens and Gleken

In regards to my continued position as house manager, I'm open to any ideas alumni or actives have in improving the house. Please let me know any problem areas/spots in the house or policies implemented.

I wish you all the best of luck in whatever you are doing whether it be finals, jobs, or just living life. I also look forward to seeing/meeting even more brothers at the big 60.

In TK?,

Dodds Anderson '12

Alumni Weekend Recap

Alumni Weekend was a blast!  All of the elders commented on how beautiful the property looked, and many thanks to the active officers from Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 for their hard work.  Special thanks to Tim Plante and Andrew Snyder for cooking a wonderful BBQ on Saturday afternoon that had all of the attendees buzzing.  Even the typically-finicky April weather cooperated with sunshine all weekend. We hope that the 59th Alumni Weekend treated you well.  Pictures will be posted soon, as well as a link for a survey that we use to plan better events in the future.

Planning for the 60th has already started, and we expect to have a hundred or so more attendees than this year.  We will have a date set soon, so stay tuned!

The Professor Ivor L. Preiss '55 Scholarship Award

The Professor Ivor L. Preiss '55 Scholarship Award is awarded annually to a graduating senior active that has excelled academically at RPI and who serves as a role model to younger Zetes. This year, the award includes a plaque, a $100 award, and a $100 donation to the Ira Richer (Pi) Educational Fund in the winner's name. This award will be given at the banquet at Alumni Weekend on April 24, 2010. A perpetual plaque for the house will also be unveiled to serve as a testament to the actives who have furthered the good name of Zeta Psi over the past years.

Fall 2010 Pledges are Initiated

This post comes a bit late, but better late than never.  The Fall 2010 pledge class was initiated on February 27, 2010 at the chapter house.  Congratulations to our new brothers! Brendan Farley '13, Burlington, MA Arthur Chen '12, Windham, NH Jamie Zajac '13, Merrimack, NH Daniel Martin '13, Cohasset, MA Rob Hoy '13, Batavia, NY Redon Qello '13, Staten Island, NY Mario Iacuone '13, Syracuse, NY

Many thanks to Justin Persin '11 and Colton Anderson '12 for leading the class through the pledge process.

A Word From The Actives

Greetings are sent from all the active brothers. December marked the end of a successful Fall 2007 semester, with much about which to be reported.  Thanks to the dedicated recruitment efforts of last year, the semester started with the strongest in house presence of active brothers in recent years, and many rooms in the wings are doubles once again.  We hope to keep this momentum going and continue to grow in size and stature.

The actives would also like to welcome the class of Fall 2007 into the circle of Zeta Psi.  Congratulations are sent out to Joe Beck, Justin Persin, Craig Sauter, and Andrew Darst.  Each of these young men will undoubtedly bring the quality and ambition that the Pi Chapter looks for in each and every brother.

With Rensselaer's clear intention to hold its recruitment period in the Spring in the near future, we are also in the process of transitioning our own bidding procedures and have established continuing relationships with many recruits.  The actives have very ambitious goals for the Spring class.

The Pi sent three representatives to the Convention at the Omicron Chapter in Omaha, NE.  Each representative was intimately involved in bringing the fresh ideas and training that they received back to the Pi Chapter for future use.  We also received a Bronze Chapter Award at the LTI, as pictured in the last edition of The Circle.

House elections were held in December, and it was very exciting to see many of the younger actives step up to the plate and take leadership of the house.  With this passing of the torch, the house is clearly positioned to continue strong operations in the future.

Over the course of the Fall 2007 semester, community service also became more of a priority, as the actives tried to give back to both the RPI and Capital District communities.  Three brothers participated in the 5K Run to Remember, which honored lost Prisoners of War.  Many brothers have also contributed both time and money to organizations such as the United Way and the American Cancer Society.  We hope to continue and increase these charitable efforts in the future.

The chapter also continues to capitalize on our strong social presence within the campus community, and our parties simply cannot be rivaled.  With that being said, the improvements made to the basement and the willingness to host parties there have greatly reduced our liability during social events.

We strongly encourage everyone who can make it to attend Alumni Weekend this year.  All of the actives truly enjoy the weekend, love the camaraderie, and get a kcik out of hearing the legendary stories that form the unmatched tradition of the Pi Chapter.

Finally, thanks are sent out from all of the actives to the Pi Chapter to the Elders, who put substantial time and money into making key renovations to the house that will ensure its safety and aesthetics for years to come.  The balcony was structurally rebuilt, and new gutters were installed with the hopes that they will allow the basement at the chapter house to be refinished in the future.

As the Pi Chapter continues to expand upon the legacy of Zeta Psi, we wish all the Elders and their families good luck, health, and prosperity in the present and future.

In Tau Kappa Phi, Sean Eosefow '08

From the Elder President

Brothers, It has been a busy and successful school year for the Pi Chapter thus far. Even before the school year began, we sent 3 Actives (along with 2 Pi Chapter Alumni) to the International Convention in Lincoln, NE. It was a fun and worthwhile experience for all. We look forward to sending a large group to the next Convention in Montreal this August. Remember, you'll need a current Passport!

Although our Fall Recruitment Effort was less successful than we had anticipated, all of the actives are enthusiastic and dedicated to a strong Spring Recruitment. As was encouraged by RPI and Zeta Psi International, the pledging period was shortened and 4 young men were initiated into the Pi Chapter before Winter Break. We welcome them all! We expect a strong Spring Pledge Class and should have a full house of fine brothers living in the Chapter House next year.

The projects we undertook last summer turned out great. A new roof for the front porch, a rebuilt balcony on that roof, new gutters, and fire code doors on the third floor are some of the accomplishments. The state of our Chapter House is stable and improving.

As we all know, we depend on the continued financial support of the alumni to fund the needed projects. I urge that each on of us make a financial commitment to our beloved Pi Chapter. Please send donations to: Jim Peta, 15 Blueberry Lane, New Hartford, CT 06057.

Remember that Alumni Weekend will take place on the weekend of April 19th. All brothers should try to attend. See how things are at the Old Fraternity House; renew old friendships; and, very importantly, meet the Active Brothers who carry on our legacy. Our Alumni Weekend Banquet will be at the Troy Country Club this year. Remember to mark the weekend of April 19, 2008 on your calendar. See you there...

in Tau Kappa Phi,

Rick Kasold '70

,

Alumni Weekend (April 18-20, 2008)

,

At the end of the current issue of ouRPI you'll find the registration form and schedule of events. Please note the following:

  • You should make hotel reservations directly with the hotel of your choice. You may have heard, but the Best Western - Rensselaer Inn has closed (RPI bought it and they are converting it to dorm rooms!). So, the only hotel in Troy is the Franklin Square Inn & Suites (old Super 8 location) (866-708-2233). There are several other nearby hotels in Latham and Albany. Try websites like hotels.com, travelocity.com, hotwire.com or expedia.com for selections.
  • If you have AAA or ARP, you can often get a better room.
  • Please respond by April 11th to make sure we can get accurate counts for the Troy Country Club and insure your meal selection.
  • We're expecting a strong showing from the Class of '88 for their 20th reunion - let's help them celebrate!

A Note from an "Elderly" Elder

I arranged to visit Troy and the Pi chapter as a batting mechanics instructor for the RPI baseball team for 4 weeks in the fall of 2007.  It was an exhilarating adventure in a number of ways.  Jim Ljunglin volunteered a bed for me at the Pi chapter, and I accepted gratefully.  I then turned my savings over to the Pi chapter via the "Capital District, etc."  Staying at the house for 4 weeks was fun and exhausting.  Thus the use of the "elderly" adjective above.  I must have aged 4 years (not weeks) in the process, as sleep was very hard to come by. The baseball team interaction was very rewarding.  The head coach (Karl Steffen) has done very well for approximately two decades.  This includes many league titles and two trips to the NCAA Division III College World Series.  He has collected a strong coaching staff, and my hope was to contribute in a narrow portion of this already strong program.  He was quite supportive of my coaching, and that included giving me a number of helpful suggestions.  The players were very cooperative.  They caught on to the scientific (mostly physics) foundation of my batting mechanics approach quite quickly.  What else would you expect from RPI students.

NCAA rules limited us to 4 days of coaching per week, so there was lots of time for other adventures.  The base running coach (Rich Worster) joined Ed Dauenheimer (my big brother) and I for a trip to the baseball hall of fame.  Our fathers had worked together during WWII, and we first met when Jim was the proctor of my freshman dorm.  Also, a trip was made to Troy by Jim Peta and Joe Mauriello.  The biggest interaction was with my young brothers.  It was also very educational.  A small sample follows:  I attended several Barker Trophy football & soccer games (plus several meals at the house: ugh!).  The Pi brothers are very athletic, and they claim they can win the trophy this year.  On the other hand, the house GPA is below the middle range for fraternities.  I also partook of two official house meetings, and was involved in many routine activities.  Jim Ljunglin suggested I collect my impressions and suggestions (like better meals) that might be considered for discussion among the elders regarding changes at the Pi.

Sincerely yours in Tau Kappa Phi, John White '62