MOVING FORWARD

Brothers,

I’ve been lucky enough to have lived more than 54 years, but no one ever told me how quickly a year as National President would fly by. The closest comparison I have is watching my children grow up (and if you have seen photos of my son, you know that growth comes fast)! It seems like just yesterday that I was standing before our Brothers, friends, and family, accepting the role as the 69th National President of Phi Kappa Psi. And now, half of my term is over!

When I stepped into this role, I had a vision: Make progress with alumni engagement. Strive to change the mindset from just being Brothers during our college days to being Brothers for life. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I have always believed in the strength of our Brotherhood to meet the moment.

I’m proud to say that together, we’ve made meaningful progress. For the first time since 2019, we have surpassed 6,000 undergraduate members. During this past academic year, we have returned to four campuses and added an expansion with strong interest at MIT. By the time you read this, our Clemson Colony will have chartered with 59 initiated members. We have over 95,000 living alumni. We also have established two new alumni associations with more on the horizon.

More Brothers are benefiting from in-person programming with the addition of Laurel Wreath Award winning Launch, expanded Explore offerings, NOLS, and our recent Campfire.

Working diligently alongside the Executive Council, as well as the newest undergraduates and hundreds of volunteers, we are striving to help people understand that their time with us doesn’t stop when you cross the stage in your cap and gown. Instead, it shifts and becomes more meaningful for many when they commit to our Brotherhood as part of their lifestyle.

In the second half of my term, my focus is sharp, clear and resolute. We still have work to do — and that work is essential. I believe we can write a bold new chapter in the history of our Fraternity. I am committed to expanding our Brotherhood through the establishment of new chapters and to delivering a Grand Arch Council that sets a new standard of excellence. My vision is ambitious — 700 Phi Psi Brothers, spouses, partners and guests gathered in unity and purpose I believe it is within our reach.

But this isn’t something I can achieve by myself. It will take all of us — leading with purpose, working with conviction, and believing in the power of what we can accomplish together. The path forward is ours to shape. Let’s make it extraordinary!

If you have read this space before you know that I always have a call to action, and this is no different. The one shared experience we all have is initiation and our foundation in the Ritual. This semester, I charge all Brothers, no matter how long it has been since you were initiated, to go to an initiation. Go!

Listen to the words that you swore, that we all swore when most of us were 18-19 years old. I’m telling you: there’s something special that washes over you when you hear the oaths again.

Even if you live far from your chapter, with 97 of them, I’m sure there is one close to you. Show up, give the Brothers at the door the Grip and introduce yourself. The undergraduate men will be excited to see you. They might not show it initially because at 18-22 years old, they still wear the cool caps you wore at their age but once the ice breaks, the bonds of Brotherhood will show through.

To that end, I’m asking all of our chapters to be proactive and tell Headquarters when and where initiations are being held. Look for an email soon so you can give us that info, and we can post it on our website.

I’ve always known that the biggest part of the role is to leave our Fraternity in better shape than it was when I was elected — to carry the torch. The same one that 68 presidents before me have carried with pride. It’s a flame lit by Brotherhood, fueled by shared values, and sustained by every member who chooses to live those values every day. My task is to keep it burning brighter, steadier, and more visible for the generations to come to ensure that Phi Kappa Psi is moving FORWARD.

BLSAOET,

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