Notable Zetes
For over 170 years, Zeta Psi has scaffolded our undergraduate brothers to be better leaders in their careers, their communities, and in service to all humankind. We have been fortunate to have played role in the lives of countless inspirational men throughout the years. Here is a list of some Zetes who have powerfully impacted the world.
Adner, Ph.D., Ron Y.
Achievements: Author, "The Wide Lens: A New Strategy for Innovation"
Chapter: Kappa Phi, 1993
Burns, Capt. Carl W.
Achievements: Author, "Centaurs in Vietnam"
Chapter: Delta
Chamberlin, Prof. J. Edward, O.C.
Achievements: Author, "If This Is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground" and other books. University Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Center for Comparative Literature. (University of Toronto). 1984 named a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation in English Literature. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Societry of Canada.
Chapter: Sigma Epsilon, 1964
Comstock, Timothy F.
Achievements: Author, "Reunion in Carmel"
Chapter: Iota
Cooper, John Dean “Jeff”
Achievements: Author, multiple books including "To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth"
Chapter: Mu, 1941
Dunne, Dominick J.
Achievements: American writer, investigative journalist, and producer.
Chapter: Zeta, 1949
DOD: October 29, 1925 – August 26, 2009
Ferns, Andrew M.
Achievements: Author, "Disappear: Into Shadow"
Chapter: Alpha Mu
FitzGerald, Desmond John Villiers, Knight of Glin
Achievements: Author, "The Irish Country House", 1991 was appointed President of the Irish Georgian Society.
Chapter: Sigma Epsilon, 1962
DOD: 13 July 1937 – 14 September 2011
Gibson, Duane “D.O.”
Achievements: Author, "Stay Driven", On July of 2003, D.O. set a Guinness World Record by freestyling for 8 hours and 45 minutes. Brother Gibson is also a motivational speaker
Chapter: Theta Xi, 2001
Griffiths, Anthony F.
Achievements: Former Chairman and CEO, Mitel Corporation; Independent Director of Fairfax Holdings, Former Chairman, Russel Metals. Chairman and CEO of Canadian Cablesystems Limited of Toronto (1973-1979). Author, "Corporate Catalyst: A Chronicle of the (Mis)Management of Canadian Business from a Veteran Insider"
Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1954
Grigg, Richard “Ricky”, PhD.
Achievements: Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing; Professor Emeritus of Oceanography at University of Hawaii, Author, Big Surf, Deep Dives and the Islands. Winner, 1966 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational, named as the best surfer in the world by Surfer Magazine in 1967 1965 Aquanaut aboard the NASA-sponsored Sealab II
Chapter: Mu, 1958
DOD: May 21, 2014
Handforth, Thomas Schofield
Achievements: He is best known for this children’s book, Mei Li, which won the 1939 Caldecott Medal for Illustration. Initiated in Beth Qoph/Alpha Theta Epsilon 1917 (which became Phi Lambda in 1920). Phi Lambda 1920 charter class, initiate number 40.
Chapter: Phi Lambda, 1920
DOD: (1897-1948)
Hartman, Douglas R.
Achievements: Author, "Nebraska’s Miitia: The History of The Army and National Guard, 1854-1991"
Chapter: Omicron, 1988
Healy, Terry
Achievements: Author, "At Face Value: My Triumph Over a Disfiguring Cancer"
Chapter: Iota
Illidge, Paul D.
Achievements: Phi of the Theta Xi Chapter in 1973. Over a 26-year career as a teacher he taught English and History at two leading independent and three public high schools, including Upper Canada College and Pickering College. He wrote the screenplay for 'Head On', the Canadian entry at the 1981 Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals. He has written fifteen books, including: The Shakespeare Novels: King Lear, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Bleaks (nonfiction memoir, 2014), and RSKY BZNS (nonfiction memoir, 2020).
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1974
Kalthoff, F. Robert
Achievements: Author, the Blog "F. Robert’s World"
Chapter: Alpha Epsilon, 1953
DOD: January 21, 2012
Kinsey, Dr. Alfred
Achievements: Founder, Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction. Author, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female (1953), and co-author of Edible Wild Plants of Eastern North America (1943) (original draft written in 1920).
Chapter: Lambda
DOD: June 23, 1894 - August 25, 1956
Leacock, Stephen
Achievements: Political Writer and Humorist; namesake of The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal of Humour 1937 Winner of the Lorne Pierce Medal. Which is awarded every two years by the Royal Society of Canada to recognize achievement of special significance and conspicuous merit in imaginative or critical literature written in either English or French.
Chapter: Theta Xi
DOD: 30 December 1869 – 28 March 1944
Lewis, Jr. , Kelly R.
Achievements: Former Pennsylvania State Legislator and Author of , "Rheingold: Born Fatima"
Chapter: Pi Kappa, 1986
Lyon, Richards P.,MD
Achievements: Author of his memoir, at age 93, "A Process Mind" (linked below), also wrote "1000 Napa County Wildflowers", plus 2 books on winemaking. Served as the assistant surgeon for First Battalion, 24th Marines during the battle of Iwo Jima A pioneer innovator in Pediatric Urology
Chapter: Mu, 1936
DOD: Nov. 8, 1916 - Dec. 7, 2016
Maddon, Joe
Achievements: Manager, Tampa Bay Rays (2006-2014, AL Champion 2008) Chicago Cubs (2015-2019, WS Champions 2016) , Los Angeles Angels (2020-2022) 2008, 2011 AL Manager of the Year, 2015 NL Manager of the Year. Zeta Psi Red Grange Athlete of the Year Award 2009. Author, "The Book of Joe: Trying Not to Suck at Baseball and Life".
Chapter: Tau
Matisz, John M. J.
Achievements: Canadian National Hockey writer for multiple publications. Author, "Draft Year: Brendan Gaunce"
Chapter: Theta Eta, 2011
McCrae, Lieutenant Colonel John, MD
Achievements: Author, "In Flanders Fields"
Chapter: Theta Xi
DOD: January 28, 1918, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Place of Burial: Wimereux Cemetery, Wimereux
VIEW “IN FLANDERS FIELDS” POEM
View Torch Essay by Jeff Ball
McCreath, James S.
Achievements: Author, "Renaldo: A Tale of World Cup Soccer, Terrorism and Love"
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1970
McMurtry Jr., OC, OOnt, The Hon. R. Roy
Achievements: Author, "Memoirs and Reflections" Few people have had a career as extensive, varied, and transformative as R. Roy McMurtry. In the public positions he held – reforming attorney general of Ontario, architect of the agreement that brought about the patriation of the Canadian Constitution, high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and chief justice of Ontario – he made immense contributions to Canadian law, politics, and life. Throughout, he has been a champion of anti-racism and human rights and an inspiring leader and motivator of others. Roy McMurtry also founded the Osgoode Society.
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1954
McOstrich, Neil A.
Achievements: Author, "Once Upon A Plane"
Chapter: Theta Xi
Meltzer, Peter D.
Achievements: Author, "Keys to the Cellar: Strategies and Secrets of Wine Collecting" and "Passport to New York Restaurants (Various years)"
Chapter: Theta Xi
Miner, Thomas E.
Achievements: Author, "North of Everything"
Chapter: Theta
Odom, Curtis, L
Achievements: Author of 5 books, including, "Things I Heard My Professor Say: Insights From My Favorite Business School Class"
Chapter: Pi Tau, 1998