The Mountaineer Phi Psi was first published in 1943, with Harlan Selby ‘18 serving as editor. Over the last 79-years, our newsletter has had but four editors, as Harlan was the scribe for 29 of those years. Louis Corson ’34 carried the torch from 1972-1982, before handing off the pen to David Woodrum ’61. In the Spring of 1992, Woodrum passed the editor’s quill to me to carry on as the editor of our chapter’s newsletter. Almost exactly 30-years ago!
The longevity, heritage, and pride this chapter has presented to those of us that have pledged can always be linked back with our past, and in so doing, to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of our brethren. I wrote in the June 1992 issue of Mountaineer Phi Psi (my fist published edition) that this newsletter is the ‘glue that continues to hold our giant circle together’. It certainly was true back in 1943 whenever Harlan noted: “there are 143 members of the chapter in the armed forces, which is more than 33% of the living membership”. With brothers serving our country across the globe, it was our newsletter that kept them ‘in touch’ until their return to Morgantown. To this day, our Memorial Chapel, (dedicated in 1951) stands as a beacon ‘on the hill’ and houses the many plagues and remembrances of those who sacrificed their life…for our freedom. This chapel is also the place where so many of you reading this newsletter started your Phi Psi journey…during your initiation.
As we now embark upon our current campaign: Live Ever. Die Never. A Stronger Tomorrow, I am reminded of the strong bond so many of us, regardless of when we pledged, have formed over many years. I remind the undergrads all the time, while your fraternity time together in Morgantown is short …it is but the beginning of when lifetime bonds are forged. Please take 4 mins and enjoy this video presenting our current status and case for the future: vimeo.com/668720161/421f93ba3f
Nothing I love more than “slipping the grip” and putting those three dots after my name in communications with brothers. What we have learned through the years is our pledge to WV Alpha was not merely joining a fraternity, but rather a commitment to a lifelong journey that has been instrumental in shaping who we are today. May we all continue to aspire to the words of The Gentleman’s Paragraph.
Hope to see many of you on September 1 at the renewal of the Backyard Brawl.
Beat The Hell Out Of Pitt!
Zach Mendelson ‘79
Editor
