Address to Pennsylvania Theta Inductees

William C. Faust ‘00

October 1, 2006

I want to start off this afternoon by thanking Brothers Davis, Shellhamer, and all of the others who invited me to address you today. It is truly an honor to provide pearls of wisdom to young men such as yourselves and I hope that you take something away from this address and carry it with you far into the future.

The future may be kind of hazy for some of you right now. I bet that some of you are probably thinking about the many hot chicks that an association with the fraternity will provide you with, while the rest of you are relishing the forty-odd drinking buddies that you now have in your midst! However, I promise you that your associations in Fraternity life will take you beyond these simple expectations.

During your years in college, it is true that you will enjoy the camaraderie of the men around you – like endless hours of watching The Simpsons or playing SEGA, Nintendo, Play Station or whatever the current gaming console is. You will find benefit in having more people with whom to study – Lord knows that I would not have made it through without Brother’s Doug Fish, Chris Therkorn, and Darren James. You will enjoy the meals at the chapter house as they are far superior to other dining options on campus – even with the occasional Bread Roll fights.

Additionally, membership in this organization will provide you with an opportunity to contribute to the greater Lafayette community. You now have a team for Intramurals, a club for volunteering, and a place to call home after graduation.

Through your senior year, you will have the opportunity to earn Scholarship money – both from the chapter and from the National Organization.

You will also have the opportunity to fill your resume with leadership activities. Positions like the President, Alumni Chair, and Corresponding Secretary teach you to interface with entities outside of Phi Kappa Psi. Alternatively, Chairmen of the Social, Rush, and Philanthropy Committees are focused on long term planning and organizing manpower to accomplish goals. Finally, people like the Treasurer, Scholarship Chair and Recording Secretary are responsible for watching over the inner workings of the chapter and making sure that all of the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. When you go searching for a job, these leadership credentials will come up in your interviews and prior experience is looked upon favorably by many employers.

When you get into the work place, there is always the chance that you will run into another Phi Psi. Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting a Phi Psi from Bucknell. We were just talking about schools and I mentioned that we had a chapter at Bucknell and he said he was part of it. Now we play softball and drink together and I hope that this friendship will continue far into the future.

Also, there is a great respect among all members of the Greek Community. I know that we jest and say in one of our songs that “the Beta Theta Pi’s were labeled dubs”, but in the end, we are all members of secret societies and we share that common bond. As is said in our Creed:

I believe that to all I meet, wherever I go, I represent not only Phi Kappa Psi, but indeed the spirit of all Fraternities.

This mantra is reciprocated by all national organizations and the respect shown between them goes far beyond friendship. In fact, at this summer’s Grand Arch Council, we honored the National Director of Theta Chi for his tireless efforts for that Fraternity. We share a love and loyalty to our individual organizations but we know that others are just as passionate for their organizations and have received the same kind of training that we receive.

One last way that we show support goes far beyond college life and the Greek community. It enters our personal lives. Through Phi Psi we learn to be good citizens and friends. I want to share three examples of support with you.

I was at Lafayette on September 11, 2001. The next weekend was Parent’s Weekend and we were able to coordinate a pancake breakfast at the chapter house in less than a week to raise funds for the American Red Cross. While the charities sponsored by this annual effort have changed, we are still supporting the college community by participating in such events.

My second example is personal. This past February, my grandfather passed away. While my family mourned, I was asked to review drawings and work with the Building Committee. When I mentioned the outside circumstances, someone told the chapter and a card was sent to me and my wife in consolation. This was not necessary, but told a deep tale of the love that this chapter feels for its members. In return, my family will be sponsoring a small scholarship in my grandfather’s name.

The third example is also personal. Two weeks ago, my sister’s boyfriend took his own life. I feel like I could have done more to support him. Please know that there are many of us out there willing to listen to your problems. If you are having trouble and feel like you can’t talk to anyone else about it, pick up the phone or type out an e-mail to any alumni. You are not alone.

This is just the beginning. After today, you will never stop being a Phi Psi. It is a constant thread that runs through your life. Your daily lives will be influenced by the morals to which all Phi Psis hold themselves. Your professional careers will be shaped by the work ethic that you develop within the chapter and your social life will be undeniably changed.

Indeed, today you gain almost forty drinking buddies. You will see today’s drinking buddies at tomorrow’s weddings, holiday parties and homecomings (All Phi Psi reunions). Enjoy today and the rest of your Lafayette careers. Whatever may be in your future, through all your successes and disappointments, always remember that you will be known to us by the simple loving name –(pause)- Brother.