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.

Boccia, Jr., Joseph J.

Achievements: US Marine Captain, who died in a terrorist attack in Lebanon. Starlit Drive, a street that he grew up on, in Northport, Long Island, NY, has been renamed in his honor.

Chapter: Gamma, 1977

DOD: Oct. 23, 1983

Clouston, James Campbell

Achievements: Canadian Commander in the British Royal Navy, who acted as pier-master during the Dunkirk evacuation. While returning to Dunkirk, he died in the water after his motor launch was sunk by enemy aircraft. On 11 July 1940, Commander Clouston posthumously received a Mention in Despatches for his part in the Dunkirk operation. Clouston is mentioned by Charles Gray in the 1958 film Dunkirk, portrayed by the actor William Hope in the 2004 BBC series Dunkirk, and his actions inspired the character of "Commander Bolton" in Christopher Nolan's 2017 film, Dunkirk. Parks Canada installed a plaque in Montreal honouring him for his role in the evacuation at Dunkirk.

Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1917

DOD: 31 August 1900 – 3 June 1940

Cook, Dennis Michael

Achievements: A bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center

Chapter: Alpha Omega (Villanova University), 1990

DOD: April 27, 1968–September 11, 2001

Davidson, Michael Allen

Achievements: Worked for Cantor Fitzgerald on the 104th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Chapter: Delta, 1997

DOD: June 7, 1974–September 11, 2001

The Michael Allen Davidson Foundation was created to remember their son and brother and ultimately decided it should benefit children and recreation.

It has built multiple playgrounds in NJ. The foundation also awards scholarship funds and has contributed to a variety of other charitable causes.

View the Michael Davidson Foundation Page

Edwards, MD, Arthur F. “Doc”

Achievements: Killed in action during WWII, 1943. Co-Founder of the Puget Sound Association of Zeta Psi, the group instrumental in the chartering of Phi Lambda. He left Toronto to become a “Klondike Pioneer.” Later moving to Seattle, and was instrumental in the first 20 years of the chapter, assisting in recruitment and attended every initiation from 1920 thru 1941. Volunteered to serve in WWII at age 67.

Chapter: Alpha Psi, 1896

DOD: 1943

Gray IV, Arthur Powell “Pete”

Achievements: Marine Corp First Lieutenant., who entered UVA on an Honor Award Scholarship. Pete was well known for his heart and intensity as a three year starter for the UVA football and track teams. A member of the Raven Society and the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa honors fraternity, He was elected student president of the College of Arts and Sciences and chairman of the university’s Honor Committee. He had received the Alumni Association’s Distinguish Student Award and the Atlantic Coast Conference Scholar-Athlete Award, and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee. After his death it was revealed that he had been a member of the university’s secret Seven Society. In 1970 the Gray Memorial Foundation was founded at UVA and later renamed to the Gray-Carrington Foundation with the death of a former classmate and close friend, who had excelled, as well, in academics and football at UVA. The Gray-Carrington Foundation is now one of the most prestigious scholarships at the University of Virginia and has the largest endowment of any scholarship at the university.

Chapter: Beta, 1968

DOD: 07/05/1946 - 07/19/1970

Lancey, PFC Robert Douglas

Achievements: A member of the 653rd Engineer Topographic Battalion, Company “A,” 10th Engineer District, where he received instruction for surveying, cartography, and printing. The 653rd eventually produced and delivered a staggering 9,948,000 maps and related navigation sheets including target maps for the 14th Air Force, the Royal Air Force, XX Bomber Command and the Eastern Air Command.

Chapter: Gamma, 1942

DOD: January 28, 1944

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

Lowenstein, Alexander

Achievements: Alexander Lowenstein was among the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. He was one of the 35 Syracuse University students traveling home after a semester abroad. Alexander was an English major, but hoped to pursue a degree in clinical psychology so he could work in a psychiatric clinic after he graduated. Alexander's mother, Suse Lowenstein, is a sculptor who created "Dark Elegy," a memorial art work which is dedicated with deep love to all victims of terrorism.

Chapter: Gamma, 1989

DOD: December 21, 1988

Dr John McCrae

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

Photo of Charles Moss.

Moss, Major Charles A.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1909–1910. A Major in the Canadian Infantry. Died from wounds suffered in battle at Regina French, France.

Chapter: Theta Xi, 1894

DOD: June 19, 1873 - October 24, 1916

Tomko, Joseph Andrew

Achievements: Captain, US Army

Chapter: Omega, 1960

DOD: June 1, 1967, Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam

Varadhan, Gopalakrishnan

Achievements: In August 2001, Gopal joined Cantor Fitzgerald as Managing Director of its interest rate derivatives business in the United States. He started a ska-inspired band, City Beat, while attending the Bronx High School of Science during the 1980's, cutting a record and playing CBGB in Lower Manhattan. Worked as an engineer on controversial punk rock star G.G. Allin’s “Hated In The Nation” album.

Chapter: Phi, 1991

DOD: September 11, 2001