The men of the Upsilon Chapter celebrated their centennial this past April. Below is an event wrap-up written by Upsilon’s own, Kevin Boatright, Nebraska Wesleyan '71.
The Upsilon Chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan celebrated its Centennial on April 21-22—hosting its annual Founders Day Dinner and a series of other special events.
The observance marked the centennial of the chartering of a local Nebraska Wesleyan fraternity as the 20th chapter of Phi Kappa Tau. The local group originated with a men’s and women’s literary society formed on campus in 1888.
“We’re proud to be one of Phi Kappa Tau’s oldest chapters,” said Mike Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '81, Chairman of the Board of Governors. “We’re also proud of our heritage at Nebraska Wesleyan, going back to the very beginnings of the university.”
Candlelight circle at the Centennial Celebration.
Munro noted that the vision of Phi Kappa Tau is “to be recognized as a leadership organization that binds men together and challenges them to improve their campuses and the world.” Its mission is “to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.”
“As individuals and as a group, we strive to fulfill both those statements,” said Munro. His son John Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '22, is a freshman and joined the fraternity last fall. Another son, the late David Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '12, was initiated when Upsilon was rechartered in October 2012.
Men of Upsilon at their house.
Upsilon has received the Roland Maxwell Outstanding Chapter Trophy eight times since the award was created in 1961. Five national presidents have also come from Upsilon: Harry Taylor ’23, Warren Parker ’31, Thomas Cunningham ’60, John Green ’60, and Rodney Wilmoth ’57.
Current Upsilon members of the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame are John E. Sampson ’60 and John Gerrard ‘73. Sampson was Honorary Chair of the Centennial Celebration and Gerrard was the featured speaker at the Founders Day Dinner. Also at the dinner were the grandson of Harry Taylor, Nebraska Wesleyan ’23, regarded as Upsilon’s founder, and Steve Harrell, Iowa State '66, the brother of Thomas Cunningham and son of Upsilon’s first chapter president, Bryan Harrell, Nebraska Wesleyan '23.
On April 21, a public commemoration took place at Nebraska Wesleyan’s Old Main and a tree was dedicated nearby. Principal speakers were Jeff Salem, Nebraska Wesleyan '02, of the Arbor Day Foundation and past National President Charlie Ball, Miami ’82, who represented the fraternity as a whole. On April 22, a National Register of Historic Places plaque was dedicated at the 1928 chapter house, and members participated in the inaugural “Legacy Walk,” touching 12 sites on campus and in the community that relate to the fraternity’s origins.
“We had an excellent turnout of alumni, students, parents and other Greeks all weekend,” said Munro. “It was a meaningful and memorable opportunity for fellowship, and a time to reflect on our place at Nebraska Wesleyan and within Phi Kappa Tau – in the past, the present and the future.”