Delta Upsilon - Pennsylvania State University

O n Saturday, June 22, several PSU DU alumni gathered for the general membership meeting at Locust Lane Craft Brewery in Malvern, Pennsylvania. This meeting was marked by a spirit of camaraderie and commitment to the fraternity's future, as members came together to conduct important business and elect new leadership. The Locust Lane Craft Brewery was founded by three 1990s alumni: Tom Arnold '95, Jason Cartwright '96, and Bryan Brockson '96. The primary agenda of the meeting was the election of new board members. After a thorough and thoughtful process, brothers Brett Eiseman '92 and Jason Pitts '92 were elected to the board while Tim Zanaras '20, Basil Pinzone '11, and Brenden Finn '12 retained their seats with new three-year terms. Justin Robinson '11 later joined the board as an appointment to fill out the two remaining years for Bill Woska '12. Brother Woska is stepping down from the board due to family commitments, and we thank him for his years of service and his leadership as president during the past year. The election and appointment of new members signifies a fresh wave of enthusiasm and dedication to the fraternity's ongoing success and initiatives. Following the general election, the newly formed board convened to elect officers. In this subsequent meeting, Ryan Mullin '11 was chosen as the new president of the board. Ryan's election as president reflects the trust and confidence that his fellow brothers have in his leadership abilities and vision for the fraternity. The meeting was not only about elections but also served as a valuable opportunity for members to reconnect and discuss the fraternity's progress and plans. The choice of Locust Lane Craft Brewery as the venue added a casual and enjoyable backdrop for these discussions, enhancing the sense of brotherhood and community. Throughout the event, attendees reflected on DU's achievements and goals while catching up with each other's lives over the past few years. The elections and subsequent officer appointments are pivotal in steering the direction of the Chapter, and the members left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and unity. Our Chapter remains committed to fostering leadership, academic excellence, and lifelong friendships while maintaining a strong presence at Penn State. The successful meeting is a testament to the fraternity's strong foundation and bright future. Alumni enjoying their time together at Locust Lane Brewery. Committed to a Strong Future for PSU DU 2024 Annual Membership Meeting Recap Page 3 P enn State is a large university, so for Sean Kern '90, finding a way to make it a bit smaller was his main priority. "The fraternity system seemed a good option for turning 40,000 students into a more manageable 100," he recalled. During his first semester in the dorms, Sean heard about the fraternity experience from other men on his floor and decided to take the plunge. After joining Delta Upsilon, Sean appreciated that the brotherly bond wasn't because the members knew something other people didn't; it was a result of their character. "I was proud of DU for being a melting pot of all different types," he said. "We represented the diversity of Penn State, and I respected how well everyone supported each other." Sean needed that support as he transitioned from student to professional. "I was in a bad accident the summer after my sophomore year and couldn't work a job. After using my savings to pay for my fifth semester, I had to leave. After weighing options, I decided to enlist in the Air Force." Sean knew a couple of brothers who had served in the military, got their GI Bill, and went back to college, so he decided to enlist. "At the end of the day, the Air Force was the most impressive to me." After enlisting in December 1990, Sean went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. "Leadership opportunities I was given in the Chapter House put me in charge of important things early on in my life," he shared. "During basic training, I was made dorm chief, which made me responsible for almost 60 men. Typically, dorm chiefs don't last long, but I never got fired. I could not have done that without the lessons I learned from DU." Sean's first duty station was in Australia, where he met his now-wife of 32 years. In the 30 years since, Sean has had a myriad of command assignments, including a detachment in Germany, a squadron in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and a cyberspace operations group in San Antonio. "I was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and, most recently, commanded one of only two cyberspace wings in the United States Air Force, which included 3,200 people in nine different locations spread from Hawaii to Maryland." In September, Sean will retire after 34 years of service to his country. "It was only supposed to be four years, but the Air Force kept giving us terrific opportunities every step of the way." Throughout his time abroad, Sean remained committed to Delta Upsilon. He served on the alumni board of directors for several years and got to meet brothers from various decades. Over the years, he's found new ways to stay in touch. "We now pick one Penn State game a year that we all try to go to," he said. "Several of us have RVs, and we enjoy tailgating together." Sean and Angie recently moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, to be close to their daughters, Amber and Caitlin, and granddaughter, Aubreigh. After a summer off, Sean will begin a new job working in the defense sector in September. If you'd like to contact Sean, you can send an email to sean.c.kern@gmail.com. "I've met thousands of airmen, soldiers, and Marines, but when I think about my friends, the Delta Upsilon brothers are first in my heart." Flying High SEAN KERN '90 TALKS SERVICE AND BROTHERHOOD

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