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.
Aspin, Les
Achievements: United States Representative from 1971 to 1993, and the United States Secretary of Defense from January 21, 1993 to February 3, 1994.
Chapter: Eta, 1960
DOD: May 21, 1995
Bass, John R.
Achievements: American diplomat, who served as the United States Ambassador to Georgia (2009–2012), Turkey (2014–2017), and Afghanistan (2017 - 2020).
Chapter: Gamma, 1986
Benton, William
Achievements: US Senator - Connecticut (1949–1953) and publisher of the Encyclopedia Britannica (1943–1973).
Chapter: Eta
DOD: April 1, 1900 – March 18, 1973
Bethlenvalvy, Hon. Peter
Achievements: Minister of Finance for the Province of Ontario (2021- Present)
Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1982
Bowles, Erskine
Achievements: 19th White House Chief of Staff (1997-1998), under President Clinton. 18th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (1993-1994). President, University of North Carolina system (2005-2010)
Chapter: Upsilon
Brewster, Jr., Kingman
Achievements: Former President, Yale University (1963-1977); US Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1977-1981)
Chapter: Eta, 1941
DOD: November 8, 1988
Brown, Scott
Achievements: Former US Senator - Massachusetts, US Ambassador to New Zealand
Chapter: Kappa
Bruce, Louis R.
Achievements: Former US Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1969-1973); Served under several New York State Governors as Director of Indian Affairs. President of the Six Nations Indian Association.
Chapter: Gamma, 1930
DOD: May 20, 1989
Bunker, Ellsworth
Achievements: Former US Ambassador (OAS, Argentina, Italy, India, Nepal, and South Vietnam) (1951-1973), one of two American's to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Twice (1963 & 1967).
Chapter: Eta
DOD: September 27, 1984
Bush, Prescott
Achievements: Former US Senator - Connecticut (1952-1963)
Chapter: Eta
DOD: October 8, 1972
Butler, Lawrence E.
Achievements: Director for European Affairs on the National Security Council staff at the White House from 1997 to 1999. 3rd United States Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia from 2002 to 2005.
Chapter: Lamdba, 1953
Carey, Rear Adm. James
Achievements: Served for 33 years as a U.S. Naval Officer, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral. Served 12 years as the elected Chairman of The Flag & General Officers' Network, the organization for U.S. Admirals and Generals of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Appointed National Chairman Emeritus for LIFE upon retirement in 2018.
Chapter: Omega
Cobb, William T.
Term: Phi Alpha from 1905–1907. 46th Governor of Maine.
Chapter: Lambda, 1877
DOD: July 23, 1857 - July 24, 1937
Comstock, William
Achievements: 33rd Governor - Michigan, Past Phi Alpha Zeta Psi Fraternity, The Comstock Award is named in honor of Bill Comstock
Chapter: Xi, 1899
DOD: July 2, 1877 – June 16, 1949
Coyne, James E.
Achievements: 2nd Governor, Bank of Canada (1955-1961). Rhodes Scholar. Canadian Press named him Canadian Newsmaker of the Year in 1961. 2012 appointed Member of The Order of Manitoba.
Chapter: Pi Epsilon, 1931
DOD: July 17, 1910 – October 12, 2012
Dahmer, John R.
Achievements: Elected as a member of the House of Commons of Canada in 1988, however, he was terminally stricken with pancreatic cancer and never saw the first day of the 34th Canadian Parliament. Dahmer's widow received a severance that was used to establish the John Dahmer Community Involvement Scholarship at Lakeland College. Prior to running for office, he was a director at Lakeland College.
Chapter: Mu Theta, 1961
DOD: (September 5, 1937 – November 26, 1988)
Davis, Gray
Achievements: Former Governor - California
Chapter: Mu
Dean, Dr. Howard
Achievements: 79th Governor of Vermont; (August 13, 1991 – January 8, 2003), Former Chairman, Democratic National Committee (February 12, 2005 – January 21, 2009)
Chapter: Eta, 1971
Dickson, Robert George Brian
Achievements: 15th Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Canada (1984-1990), served a total of 17 years on the Supreme Court. Companion of the Order of Canada (1990)
Chapter: Pi Epsilon, 1938
DOD: May 25, 1916 – October 17, 1998
Gajarsa, Arthur
Achievements: Retired Judge, US Court of Appeals
Chapter: Pi
Hills, Roderick
Achievements: Chairman Securities Exchange Commission (October 28, 1975 – April 10, 1977)
Chapter: Mu
DOD: October 29, 2014
Joost, Stephen
Achievements: Founding Partner and Board Member of Firehouse Subs, Former President of Jacksonville (FL) City Council
Chapter: Beta Tau, 1984
Knowland, William
Achievements: US Senator - California (August 26, 1945 – January 3, 1959)
Chapter: Iota
DOD: (June 26, 1908 – February 23, 1974)
Levin, Neil D.
Achievements: NY State Superintendent of Banks 1995, NY State Superintendent of Insurance 1997, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey 2001
Chapter: Tau, 1976
DOD: September 16, 1954-September 11, 2001
McGurk, Brett H.
Achievements: American diplomat, attorney, and academic who served in senior national security positions under presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. US National Security Council's coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa (2021-Present).
Chapter: Theta, 1996
McMurtry Jr., OC, OOnt, The Hon. R. Roy
Achievements: Chief Justice, Ontario Supreme Court (1996-2007). Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom(1985-1988). 12th Chancellor of York University (2008 - 2014). The headquarters of the Attorney General of Ontario, McMurtry-Scott Building, is named in honour of McMurtry and Ian Scott (former AG 1985-1990).
Chapter: Theta Xi, 1954
Milliken, William
Achievements: 44th Governor of Michigan (January 22, 1969 – January 1, 1983), he is the longest serving Governor in Michigan's history. A member of the Army Air Corps, during World War II, he flew 50 combat missions as a waist-gunner on B-24 bombers and survived two crash landings. He received seven military honors, including the Purple Heart and Air Medal
Chapter: Eta
DOD: (March 26, 1922 – October 18, 2019)
Padilla, Alejandro (Alex)
Achievements: United States Senator from California (2020-Present) California Secretary of State (2015-2020), California State Senator (2006-2014), chair of the Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications.
Chapter: Rho Alpha, 1994
Parker, James
Achievements: A Major General in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the Philippine–American War during 1899. In addition to the Medal of Honor, Major General Parker was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and three Silver Stars for his service and battlefield exploits.
Chapter: Delta, 1875
DOD: (February 20, 1854 – June 2, 1934)
Pepper, George Wharton
Achievements: U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from January 9, 1922 – March 4, 1927. Honorary degree from Lafayette College, 1922. Namesake of the George Wharton Pepper Prize at Lafayette College, awarded annually to the senior “who most nearly represents the Lafayette ideal.” A founding member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Nephew of past Phi Alpha (1892) Dr. William Pepper, Sigma, 1857.
Chapter: Sigma, A.B. 1887, LL.B. 1889, LL.D. (hon.) 1907
DOD: March 16, 1867 – May 24, 1961