Here are a few words from some of our alumni about their experiences in the Chi Delta. Now, by no means does this reflect every person's experience in the chapter, but we like to think of this section as a glimpse of how we might look back to our experiences in Psi U after we've graduated. It also helps you to understand how Psi U might affect you in the future... read on!
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Psi U was the single most important part of my Duke experience. Like a lot of the brothers, I fell into it by accident but once in, really liked what I saw among the brotherhood. It was fun, easy, inexpensive, and so totally NOT what I expected a fraternity to be like. Good times didn't mean wanton destruction of property and frequent visits from public safety. It did mean random bouts of hilarity with some of the most unusual people I have known, before or since. As I got into things, it became clear that the small size of the group meant an opportunity to practice democracy in its true sense, since every voice could really count (and I have a loud one). It was a terrific leadership opportunity as well. Overcoming some really tough times during my sophomore year was incredibly encouraging and did a lot to help me grow up and develop a sense of how to organize people in a crisis situation. Endless running jokes, late nights at the fooz table, countless trips to Honey's and Bullocks, and many unforgettable moments at Myrtle Beach are just a few of the things I treasure about my Psi U experience. More than that, it was the little things... I remember coming home from a date at about 2am and seeing two or three of the guys slothing around the commons room, eating greasy pizza, watching "USA Up All Night," and generally doing nothing. Rather than head off to bed, which was my original intention, I just grabbed a slice, flopped onto the couch and within five minutes we were all roaring with laughter--at what I can't remember. I DO remember feeling that this was what I always wanted from college: to just fit right in at any time, regardless of the situation. Psi U was like that for me, every day, for three and a half years. There are lots of things I love about Duke, and a few things I despise. In many ways Psi U reinforced the University's best qualities and provided an outlet for the not-so-great things as well. Pretty versatile for a small group of close friends--but that's the point. Psi U is a unique, special part of Duke.
Dan Lerner
Chi Delta 1992
Former President, Rush Chair, and Fraternity Educator
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I came to Duke in 1992 as a young boy, looking to experience freedom and life for the first time. I was determined I would try to fit in at Duke, a school where I found the students to be much more "socially acceptable" than I expected. I did all of the things my freshman hallmates did my first semester. We cruised East & West campus together every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. I thought I was fitting in, but I still didn't feel comfortable. It just so happens that I found PsiU when I wasn't really looking for it. I was attending the semi-formal of another fraternity at the Heart of Durham hotel and was doing it partly because some of my friends were thinking about pledging there. There was lots of drinking and the like, but I wasn't having much fun. I left the party to go sit down and get some peace and quiet. While contemplating whether I would leave or not, another student came up to me, sat down and asked if I was doing OK. His name was Bob Rein, at that time, the rush chair for PsiU. I had no idea who this guy was, but we continued to have a nice, civilized conversation for about 10 minutes. It was the most entertaining 10 minutes of the evening for me. As I was about get up and go find my date, who I felt bad about leaving for that period of time, he told me who he was and told me about an ice skating trip the next weekend. That was the turning point in my Duke career. That next weekend, I decided to go ice skating with the group, by myself. It was the first time I had done something different that my freshman hallmates hadn't planned. I was introduced to all of the brothers, and I was sold. The friendship and laughter shared in that one night, was more than I had experienced in the entire ten weeks I had been at Duke. I had found my destination. I had found PsiU. Psi Upsilon was the best part of my Duke experience (2. Basketball!). The values and lessons I learned in meetings, at events, or even staying up until 3 AM watching TV, made me the man I am today. Psi Upsilon can do that for anyone searching for their identity. You just have to find the right place to start looking for it. I believe that right place is Psi Upsilon.
Geoff Williams
Chi Delta 1996
