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
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Telecommunications Project Progressing

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The house is currently installing new Ethernet and coaxial wiring to each bedroom in an effort to modernize the telecommunications capabilities of the chapter. Pictures of the effort can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.679158298772116.1073741837.160736730614278&type=1

The far wing is almost complete. The near wing should be completed by the end of the week, and the rest of the house should be completed in time for school to begin on 1/21/14. Thank you to the laborers and the donors for making this project possible.

Fire Spinkler System: Complete!

Word got passed along today that our brand-new fire sprinkler system is complete! While the house is currently fully protected, as soon as the alarm company installs and configures monitoring, the system will be formally tested and then signed and sealed by the City of Troy.

We are proud that, as far as we know, we are the only fraternity at RPI to install sprinklers proactively and when not required by building codes. The investment ensures safety of both brothers of the Pi Chapter and their guests.

A shoutout to Jay Webb '61, who gave a massive amount of time and effort planning, designing, and managing this project. Thank you for all you did, Jay!

Congratulations to Fall 2013!

Last night, the Fall 2013 pledge class was initiated at the house. Chapter role now includes: Patrick Michael Harrington '14 Zachary Francis Yakel '17 Patrick Eric Ducey '17 Samuel James Waddell '17 William David Lewis '16 Matthew Paul Haering '17 Andrew Brian Sudano '17 Sean Thomas Carey '17 Nicholas Austen Davis '17

Congratulations, men, and welcome to the family!

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Pi House Buzzes With Activity

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The autumn season is winding down, winter weather is starting to make an appearance, and the brothers of Zeta Psi are hard at work for the last few weeks until winter break. Around the house, raking has been a frequent sight, as the brothers have been doing their best to get leaves cleaned up before snow starts falling. In addition, volunteer hour counts have shot up as everyone recently gave their time at the Susan Odell Taylor School, raking the entire property. On December 7, the Pi Chapter is volunteering and sponsoring a Christmas party at the Hope 7 Community Center on Pawling Avenue. Philanthropy Chair Brother Brendan Jablonski '15 has been doing a great job planning and mustering interest for all these events. The actives look to Brendan to find even more volunteer opportunities for next semester.

In addition to actives, the pledge process—taken on by nine of RPI's most upstanding men—is in its final stages, and the brothers are all very excited for the potential new members of the house. Every day brings the pledges closer and closer to each other and becoming brothers.

Many members of the RPI JV and varsity men's basketball teams are Zeta Psi brothers, also. The varsity team has their home opener this Saturday against the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Engineers (who are obviously no match for our Engineers), and then they travel to Berkeley College the following day to face the Knights.

Pi Zete Clinches Spot on IFC Executive Board

During last night's Interfraternity Council elections, Brother Arjun Chavern ’15—currently the Alpha Phi and risk manager of the Pi Chapter—was voted to become the new IFC vice president of risk management. His term is the 2014 calendar year. Congratulations, Arjun! We're very happy to have such an essential position filled by a Zeta Psi brother, and we know you're going to great things in your position!

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Sprinkler Installation: Almost Complete!

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An email came today via Jim Ljunglin '57, Jay Webb '61, and Chris Geer of Albany Fire Protection detailing that we're very close to having a complete fire sprinkler system! The installer built the riser, drain, and fire department connection yesterday, and it's planned that the dry system/anti-freeze loop will be built and tied in today. After all that is done, required tests will be completed, the alarm company will be notified to install notification sensors, and the city will inspect and certify the whole package.

Like before, as updates come in, we'll post them here!

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PiZetes.org Lauded for Info Tech Prestige

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Recently, Elder Mike Bruce ’08 joined IHQ's Communications Board. He was told by them that the Pi Chapter excels in online presence and serves as a model for other chapters. The Pi has also been told in the past that they have the most extensive database and back end systems throughout the Zeta Psi world. This will only improve as a result of the planned telecommunications project during RPI's winter break, when the house will get completely rewired for Ethernet and coaxial cable capabilities.

Of course, none of this would be possible without Frank Harrington ’91 and Mike, who built the mailing list database, website, social media pages, and back end all pretty much on their own. Thanks, guys, and thank you to IHQ for the praise! We'd be happy to share what we know with other chapters!

Fall ’13 Pledges Get Big Brothers

The pledgemen of the Pi Chapter of Zeta Psi met their big brothers yesterday, advancing another step on the staircase to becoming brothers themselves. The pledge–big brother pairs are as follows:

  • Zach Yakel–Josh Dugas ’15
  • Niko Davis–Ryan Belbey ’15
  • Pat Harrington–James Jakobek ’15
  • Sam Waddell–Alec Vogel ’16
  • Pat Ducey–Sean Sanford ’16
  • Matt Haering–Mike Scocozza ’16
  • Will Lewis–Brian Hatcher ’16
  • Andrew Sudano–Dan Bruce ’16
  • Sean Carey–Chase Almond ’16

All of the pledges have shown an eagerness to learn about the history of Zeta Psi and the Pi Chapter, and they are all doing quite well in the endeavor.

Pi Zetes Volunteer Over Weekend

Recently, brothers had the chance to volunteer at the Six Flags park just south of Lake George. The following was submitted by Alpha Phi Arjun Chavern ’ 15.

Thanks to Brother Rob Orban III ’16 and the Orban family, a group of brothers were given the opportunity to volunteer at the Six Flags Fright Fest Zombie Run 2013 held at Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY on October 12. Brothers Josh Dugas ’15, Alec Vogel ’16, Michael Scocozza ’16, Brian Hatcher ’16, Nash Widowski ’16, Chase Almond ’16, Craig Fitzgerald ’16, Bryant Rosato ’16, and I all attended the event—in addition to Rob. We served as course directors, making sure 5K race participants stayed on the designated course path. After the race, several of us stuck around to enjoy the park before heading back to Belle Avenue.

Thanks for the update, Arjun! And to the brothers who volunteered: great job helping out our community!

The Middle of the Semester

As the middle of the semester rolls around, we have found ourselves preparing for many events that all seem to be coming up fast. Tryouts for the varsity and junior varsity men's basketball teams begin this Tuesday, October 15. Sean Dempsey ’14 and Nick Keefe ’14 return as two of the captains on this year's squad. Sophomores Nash Widowski ’16 and Brian Hatcher ’16 return as the only Zeta Psi brothers who made the varsity squad as freshmen last year.

In other news, the pledge process has been underway for a few weeks now. Soon, the pledges will be given their big brothers, and they will be one step closer to becoming brothers of Zeta Psi. This year's group of guys is one of the most diverse group the Pi Chapter has had. For instance:
  • Andrew Sudano ’17 currently plays on RPI's JV football team, although he practices almost exclusively with the varsity team..
  • Sean Carey ’17 is a legacy, and Patrick Ducey ’17 is his high school friend. Sean plans to play baseball for RPI, and Pat is a runner on Rensselaer's cross country team.
  • Matthew Haering ’17 is a friend from high school of and originally brought out to the house by Brother Michael Scocozza ’16. Matt started a street hockey league while in high school.
  • Pat Harrington ’14 is a senior captain on this year's varsity basketball team and decided to pledge Zetes during his last year at RPI. Pat went to high school with Brother James Jakobek ’15.
  • Will Lewis ’16 is a sophomore student who transferred to RPI this semester trying to make his way into the varsity basketball program.
  • Zach Yakel ’17, Niko Davis ’17, and Sam Waddell ’17 are all freshmen from the New York/New Jersey area also trying to make the varsity basketball team this year.

Many pledges have even more diversity in their pasts, presents, and hopeful futures.

Next week at RPI begins Greek Week and Zeta Psi will be participating in full. Alec Vogel ’16 has volunteered to lead Zetes through the Greek Week events such as tie dye, bowling, and softball (against university faculty members).

Congratulations to the Fall 2013 Pledge Class!

image Fall 2013 pledges: (L-R) Tommy Alappat, Matt Haering, Andrew Sudano, Sean Carey, Will Lewis, Sean Sanford '16 (Asst. Pledgemaster), Dan Bruce '16 (Pledgemaster), Sam Waddell, Pat Ducey, Zach Yakel, Pat Harrington, Niko Davis, Nate Kane

 

11 of RPI's finest men now proudly wear the pledge pin of Zeta Psi on their chest, to be taught and led by both Daniel Bruce ’16 and Sean Sanford ’16.

The now-official pledges include:

Thomas P. Alappat of Morgantown, West Virginia Sean T. Carey of Levittown, New York Nicholas A. "Niko" Davis of Loudonville, New York Patrick E. Ducey of Levittown, New York Matthew P. Haering of Pleasant Valley, New York Patrick M. Harrington of Florence, Massachusetts Nathan L. Kane of Glenmont, New York William D. Lewis of Potomac, Maryland Andrew B. Sudano of Wilton, Connecticut Samuel J. Waddell of Williamstown, New Jersey Zachary F. Yakel of Cohoes, New York

Congratulations, gentlemen! We're thrilled to have you as a pledge class and look forward to teaching you the rites and rituals of Zeta Psi!

The End of Rush and the Beginning of Pledging

Rush was a great success this year, and now the Pi Chapter has concluded its rush events and switched gears to the pledge process. The Fall 2013 pledge class includes 11 potential brothers, led by Pledgemaster Daniel Bruce ’16 and Assistant Pledgemaster Sean Sanford ’16. All the brothers had a great time during rush and are excited to begin welcoming in the new gentlemen as potential brothers of Zeta Psi. There will be more updates regarding pledging at a later date. In sports-related news, Brothers Nick Keefe ’13 and Sean Dempsey ’13 will be returning Zeta Psi seniors on the RPI men’s basketball team. The team will look to improve on its 17-10 overall record from last year and will have its season opener November 16 against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Alec Vogel ’16 is continuing his pursuit of the national champion title in the 125 weight class for the school’s wrestling program.

Aside from intercollegiate sports, intramurals start up soon. Zeta Psi is signed up with an A-league soccer team and a football team, and they plan to dominate in both sports. Several brothers also play on intramural hockey teams not organized by the house.

The First Week of Rush

As both classes and extracurricular get underway, so begins rush and meeting potential future brothers. Rush Chairman Daniel Bruce ’16 has done a great job at recruiting a number of freshmen, as well as managing the recruiting process all around. This past Saturday, August 31, we held our first rush event, called “Smokeout”, at the Zeta Psi property. Nine racks of ribs, over 30 pounds of chicken, and a nice big brisket made sure that there was plenty of food to go around. 20+ rushees that came out to the event, met all the brothers, took tours of the house, and left with a very full stomach. We still have many more rush events and therefore opportunities to get our name out there and continue talking to the underclassmen. Our next event is the Zetes-traditional Taco Tuesday, held at the house. Events continue almost every day until a planned overnight trip to Lake George on September 13. Bid Dinner is scheduled for September 17.

All active Pi Zetes are very excited for what is already turning out to be a great group of potential new members.