SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER

Brothers,

I’ve been reflecting quite a bit lately on how much of who I am today is the direct result of the men who took the time to invest in me. Some were formal mentors, others never carried the title, but all of them showed up — sometimes quietly, sometimes firmly — when it mattered most. Throughout my time as your President, I can say with certainty: Mentorship is not a nice-to-have bonus. It is essential to who we are and who we will become.

Dumas

From the moment we are initiated, we are linked by something much larger than ourselves. That connection shouldn’t end at graduation; it should deepen. Our ritual teaches us that brotherhood is lived, not simply remembered. Mentoring is one of the most powerful ways we bring that lesson to life — by walking alongside another brother, offering perspective, encouragement, and at times, a steady hand when the road ahead isn’t clear.

Many of us can point to a brother who helped us navigate college, career decisions, marriage, fatherhood, leadership, or moments of real challenge. My greatest mentor, both in college and after, has been Brother Steven “Nez” Nieslawski Illinois ’79. Nez was IL Zeta’s first Colony and Chapter advisor. He has been with me throughout my time in the Fraternity. He has given me great counsel, and while I don’t always agree with his advice, I listen and take it to heart. As a Past President, he has been a wealth of knowledge and help on my journey to wear the President’s Medallion. He also speaks to something that I try to tell others in the Fraternity: Brotherhood is not limited to where you went to school. If you have the opportunity to help brothers from different places, raise your hand to volunteer. That is Phi Psi at its best, and just as many of us now have the opportunity — perhaps even the responsibility — to be that person for someone else.

As we continue to focus on alumni engagement and strengthening our lifelong commitment to this Fraternity, mentorship stands at the center of that work. With more than 95,000 living alumni and nearly 6,000 undergraduates, the potential impact is enormous. One brother showing up for another, one conversation and one relationship at a time. That’s how culture is built, and that’s how it’s sustained.

This brings me to an important moment on our calendar: Grand Arch Council.

The GAC is more than a date — it’s a reminder of why this Fraternity exists and the men who believed deeply enough in mentorship, values, and brotherhood to build something that has now endured for over a century. I encourage every brother reading this to make plans to attend. By being there you are making yourself visible. You are creating space for connection. You are giving undergraduates — and fellow alumni — the chance to see what Phi Kappa Psi looks like across a lifetime. That presence matters more than you may realize.

As always, I’ll close with a call to action: Be a mentor. Seek a mentor. Show up where brothers are gathering. Attend Phi Psi events. Shake hands. Share stories. Listen more than you speak. The future of Phi Kappa Psi is shaped in these moments — when generations meet, experience is shared, and brotherhood is lived out loud.

I believe that Phi Kappa Psi is a flame kept alive by relationships, strengthened through mentorship, and passed forward each time one brother chooses to invest in another. Together, let’s ensure it continues to burn bright — for those beside us now, and for those who will follow.

BLSAOET,

Marc A.S. Dumas DePaul ’93
69th President of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity