Notable Zetes
For over 170 years, Zeta Psi has scaffolded our undergraduate brothers to be better leaders in their careers, communities, and in service to all humankind. We have been fortunate to have played a role in countless inspirational men’s lives throughout the years. Here is a list of some Zetes who have powerfully impacted the world.
You can find more photos and information about Zetes here on our new digital museum page.
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
Pereira, Maximilian
Achievements: Author, "Second Sight"
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1996
Perry, Thomas E.
Achievements: Author of over 28 novels. 1983 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best First Novel. In 2002 he was the first recipient of the Gumshoe Award for best novel.
Chapter: Psi, 1969
Peters, Donald J.
Achievements: Author, "A Contrarian Strategy for Growth Stock Investing: Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Evidence"
Chapter: Beta Tau, 1980
Ruel, Christopher G.
Achievements: Author, "Oracle 11g for Dummies"
Chapter: Theta
Schimmelpenninck van der Oye, Prof. David
Achievements: Author, "Toward the Rising Sun: Ideologies of Empire and the Path to War with Japan" and "Russian Orientalism: Asia in the Russian Mind from Peter the Great to the Emigration"
Chapter: Theta Xi
DOD: March 14, 2022
Sinclair, Dr. Alexander C.
Achievements: Br. Sinclair joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1915 at the age of 33 as a driver who worked with horses and pack mules to bring ammunition to the front lines. While serving in Belgium and France, Alexander wrote a number of poems that captured the horrors of war and included famous battlegrounds such as Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. The poems were published posthumously, by his nephew as "Life and War Poems by Alexander Sinclair"
Chapter: Pi Epsilon
DOD: 1882-1962
Singer, Peter A., MD, OC
Achievements: Author, "The Grandest Challenge: Taking Life-Saving Science from Lab to Village"
Chapter: Theta Xi
Spock, Benjamin M., MD
Achievements: Author, One of the most famous names in America in pediatric health, wrote "The Common Sense Book on Baby and Child Care"; and other child care books. Gold medalist, as a member of the American eight-man crew at the 1924 Paris Olympics, whose time of 6 minutes and 33 seconds was almost 16 seconds faster than the second-placed Canadian crew.
Chapter: Eta
DOD: March 15, 1998
Steffens, Lincoln A.
Achievements: Credited as the proverbial father of muckraking reporting, Author, "The Shame of the Cities" and his own Autobiography.
Chapter: Iota, 1892
DOD: April 6, 1866 – August 9, 1936
Strain, Matt
Achievements: Author, "Will Rhyme for Diapers: Baby Poems for the Parents Who Raise Them"
Chapter: Beta Tau, 2004
Stratton, Dr. Julius
Achievements: 1st Chancellor of MIT (1956-1959), 11th President of MIT (1969-1966), President Emeritus MIT; Former Chairman, Ford Foundation (1964-1971). Author, "Electromagnetic Theory"(1941)
Chapter: Phi Lambda
DOD: May 18, 1901 – June 22, 1994
Svahn, John “Jack” A.
Achievements: Author, "There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere (Twenty Years with Ronald Reagan)." 1973 named Director of the California Department of Social Welfare. Commissioner of Social Security (1981- 1983). Served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan's terms as both Governor of California, and President of the United States.
Chapter: Phi Lambda, 1966
Templeton, Sir John M.
Achievements: Author, "Templeton Plan: 21 Steps to Personal Success and Real Happiness" (and many more books)
Chapter: Eta
Terrell, Whitney
Achievements: Author, "The Good Lieutenant", "The King of Kings County", and "The Huntsman"
Chapter: Omicron Epsilon, 1990
Thompson, Captain John E.
Achievements: Author, "Spirit Over Steel – A Chronology of the Second World War"
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1982
Troubetzkoy, Prince Alexis Sergeevich
Achievements: Author notable for his works on Russian history. Served as the headmaster of Selwyn House School, Appleby College and the Toronto French School in Canada. He was born as a Prince of the Trubetskoy family, He taught at Bishop's College School and served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 8 years. He served as the Executive Director of the Tolstoy Foundation 1992-95. He also helped the International Orthodox Christian Charities gain the release of two of their workers taken hostage.
Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1957
DOD: March 6, 1934 - January 22, 2017
Urban, Michael D.
Achievements: Author of award-winning thrillers with a foothold in history, including "Drake’s Coffin", "Ironsides’ Peril", and "Osama’s Skull."
Chapter: Psi Epsilon, 1978
Vit, Professor Greg B.
Achievements: Author, "The Risk in Risk Management: Financial Organizations & the Problem of Conformity"
Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1980
Wessler, Michael A.
Achievements: Author, "Oracle 11g For Dummies"
Chapter: Tau Gamma