Psi Upsilon - Wesleyan University

XI TIMES NEWSLETTER of Xi Chapter of Psi Upsilon at Wesleyan University FALL 2024 A couple of years ago, I learned that volunteer alumni leaders successfully created a tax-exempt, Connecticut- registered 501(c)(3) corporation, called the William Kerr Leadership and Historic Preservation Society Corporation, for the purpose of restoring and maintaining the 1893 historic landmark Chapter House at 242 High Street. (Our beloved Brother Kerr is highlighted on page 4 of this issue.) I had previously been a sporadic alumni supporter of the Xi, but the creation of the Kerr Corp motivated me to get more involved. THE XI TODAY I'm pleased to report that the Xi is still going strong at Wesleyan. The transition to co-education at the Xi has gone smoothly and has improved the chapter's relationship with the university's administration. The Chapter House is fully occupied by brothers (men and women) who are still committed to lifelong service—and the parties at Homecoming and Reunion are still the best on campus. CAN YOU MAKE IT TO HOMECOMING 2024? Speaking of Homecoming, please mark Saturday, November 2, on your calendar and return to the Xi to relive cherished memories and reconnect with brothers old and young. We hope to exceed the more than 100 Italian sausages grilled and consumed last year at the tailgate party before adjourning to the postgame party at 242 High Street featuring the Dixieland Jazz Band of Brother Evan Drutman '86. KEEPING IN TOUCH AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE In the meantime, don't be surprised if you hear more often from the Xi. A group of dedicated alumni volunteers has recommitted to Xi alumni engagement and to restoring our iconic Chapter House. A fraternity consulting firm, Pennington & Company, has been retained to help us with alumni communication, engagement, and support. In 2023, a professional engineering report on the condition and needs of the Chapter House was commissioned. The good news is that the engineers found the house to be in surprisingly good condition, "Considering the manner in which it has been used…." Not surprisingly, the engineers also identified many repair and restoration projects needed to protect the well-being of the undergraduate brothers and their guests as well as the historic integrity and beauty of the house. Our goal is to raise adequate funds to not only restore the Chapter House to its full glory but also to create an endowment fund that will keep the Xi on firm financial footing while avoiding the all too familiar periodic emergency appeals for funds. A BRIGHT FUTURE BECAUSE OF A STRONG PAST During my visits in recent years to the Xi, I've been impressed by the undergraduate brothers' enthusiasm and appreciation for the Xi's special place on campus and in Wesleyan's history. The Xi continues to offer its undergraduate brothers a completely unique experience in self-governance in a privately owned, historic landmark house that is regularly shared with the campus community as one of the last social spaces of its type for students to gather. None of this would be possible without the support and engagement of many generations of Xi alumni. Until we meet again, I'll leave you with the immortal lyrics of Professor C.S. Harrington 1852 from the "Shrine Song." "Come brothers of Psi Upsilon, who trod its halls of yore, Unbar the ivied gate of years, and tread these halls once more." Yours in the Bonds, Chip Nottingham '88 Focusing on the Future of the Xi An Update on the Strong State of Our Brotherhood

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