[PhiPsiRuss]

April 25, 2004


Dear Brothers,

On the occasion of the New York Iota chartering last weekend in Binghamton New York, I was joined on Sunday, April 18 in a Phi Psi caravan with Brothers Dud Daniel, Eric Parker, Russell Warshay, Robert Parada, Ron Dinino, and Joe Hochberg throughout upstate New York which included visits to our New York Alpha, New York Theta and New York Eta Chapters. It was day of great Phi Psi spirit and hospitality in the Empire State in which a growing regional dynamic is occurring in our Fraternity in the creation of new colonies, chapters and alumni associations.

New York Alpha

The Brothers of New York Alpha at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York provided a very warm welcome in which to tour the outstanding chapter house facility and the magnificent Cornell campus. Almost half of the Cornell football team is made up of Phi Psi Brothers and the chapter has occupied a prominent and honorable position in the university throughout its history. Seven years ago, SWGP Brother Greg Knapp visited New York Alpha to help officially dedicate the beautiful new high cathedral chapter meeting room addition named in honor of Brother Joseph Benson Foraker.

New York Theta

The afternoon trip to Rochester, New York at the Rochester Institute of Technology was very enjoyable in which the Brothers of New York Theta hosted a special reception. The chapter house is located on a recently created R.I.T.Greek Row owned by the University in which Phi Psi has a prominent location and is only among a small group of Greek organizations to occupy. The New York Theta Chapter House is beautiful. It is among one of the nicest facilities that I have had the privilege to visit. New York Theta was founded twelve years and its Brothers hold a very deep respect for the ideals of Phi Kappa Psi. Dud and I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the Chapter Brotherhood and we wish to express our appreciation for the gift of the New York Theta ''Decade Book'' which is beautiful hard bound chapter publication of letters, photos and documents that highlight the founding and first ten years of this outstanding chapter. I wish to thank Hyparchos Director and New York Theta House Corporation President Robert Parada for his tremendous and loyal service to New York Theta and Phi Kappa Psi.

New York Eta

Following our trip to Rochester , Dud and I then arrive later in the evening to visit New York Eta at the Suny Buffalo campus. The Brothers of New York Eta including District Archon Joe Hochberg met us at the New York Eta chapter house which is currently undergoing a physical house renovation that will include new heating equipment, room improvements, carpeting and draperies. The Brothers of New York Eta are looking forward to the upcoming Grand Arch Council in San Diego and the completion of the housing renovation to reoccupy the chapter house this upcoming Fall. It was a pleasure to speak to the members of New York Eta and express the appreciation of those who had traveled to Binghamton University as did individual members of New York Theta to assist in the chartering of New York Iota.

I wish to especially thank our Coordinator of Chapter Advisors Ron Dinino who helped to arrange the Sunday tour of New York State area Phi Psi Chapters. I spoke to the Chapter G.P. of New York Beta at Syracuse University whose Brothers were attending a Chapter Formal at Niagara Falls and the Colony President of our New York Kappa Suny Oneanta who both expressed very good reports of Phi Psi activity at their host institutions. The colony members of New York Kappa enjoy a 3.26 grade point average and just recruited another five new members on top of a strong organization campus average.

In addition, the recent Spring 2004 Phi Kappa Psi New Volunteer Orientation in Indianapolis included many New York State area alumni advisory volunteers. The newly created New York City Gotham City Alumni Association continues to grow.


Phi Kappa Psi Lives and Flourishes in the Empire State !

Fraternally,
John V. Ciccarelli...
58th President of Phi Kappa Psi