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.

Headshot of Jay Rothberg.

Rothberg, Jay L.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1985–1987. Zeta Psi Distinguished Service Award 1995 James J. Carey Leadership Award 2011

Chapter: Delta Chi, 1969

Rousse, Peter W.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1852–1854

Chapter: Delta, 1850

DOD: 1887

Ruel, Christopher G.

Achievements: Author, "Oracle 11g for Dummies"

Chapter: Theta

Photo of Ralph Rumsey.

Rumsey, Ralph S.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1980–1982. James H. McLaughlin Interfraternity Award 1992. Zeta Psi Distinguished Service Award 1996.

Chapter: Xi, 1965

Russ, Harvey W.

Achievements: Zeta Psi Educational Foundation Education Director (1951-1953) Zeta Psi General Secretary (Fall 1953-June 1955)

Chapter: Tau, 1951

Sadleir, Richard Hay

Achievements: Co-founder Trent University in Peterborough where he served as Dean of Men, Head of the English Department, Vice President and Acting President. Upper Canada College Principal (1975-1988).

Chapter: Theta Xi, 1949

DOD: February 12, 2021

Satterlee, F. Le Roy

Term: Phi Alpha from 1896–1897

Chapter: Phi, 1865

DOD: November 12, 1917

Satterlee, Livingston

Term: Phi Alpha from 1860–1862

Chapter: Epsilon, 1858

DOD: March 1, 1839 - April 3,1902.

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

Schwerin, Jr., Max

Term: Phi Alpha from 1883–1884

Chapter: Theta, 1870

DOD: March 11, 1850 - February 13, 1889

Scrivener, Paul

Achievements: James McLaughlin Interfraternity Service Award Honoree 2024

Chapter: Theta Xi, 1971

William Shea

Shea, William

Achievements: NYC Attorney; namesake of Shea Stadium. Founder of the Continental League, a proposed 3rd Major League, which forced the expansion of MLB, and led to the formation of the NY Mets. Instrumental in convincing the NHL to expand and award a franchise to Long Island (The NY Islanders). Namesake of the "The William A. "Bill" Shea – Distinguished Little League Graduate Award" which is presented to a former little leaguer in Major League Baseball who best exemplifies the spirit of Little League Baseball. "

Chapter: Phi

Picture of Richard Shuhany.

Shuhany, Richard G.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1987–1989 Distinguished Service Award 2002

Chapter: Mu Theta, 1968

Photo of Dave Sims.

Sims, David L.

Term: Phi Alpha from 2004-2005. Zeta Psi Distinguished Service Award 2009.

Chapter: Sigma, 1976

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

Skillman, Charles H.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1855–1856

Chapter: Delta, 1851

DOD: November 30, 1833 - April 19, 1862

Michael Smerconish

Smerconish, Michael

Achievements: Satellite Radio and CNN Anchor

Chapter: Tau Delta, 1984

Al E. Smith, from 2012 NYC Founders Day Banquet

Smith, Al E.

Achievements: Author, "Those Who Get It and Those Who Don’t: A humorous look at those who don’t get it; And what we can learn from those who do"

Chapter: Theta/UConn, 1965

Smith, Jr. James Somers

Achievements: 1957 Zeta Psi Distinguished Service Award. Son of Past Phi Alpha, J. Somers Smith, Sigma, 1887.

Chapter: Sigma, 1912

DOD: November 16, 1889 - January 29, 1972

Smith, Jr., J. Somers “Jas”

Term: Phi Alpha from 1916–1917.

Chapter: Sigma, 1887

DOD: May 26, 1866 - March 15, 1956

Smith, Richard W.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1984–1985 Distinguished Service Award 1987

Chapter: Omicron, 1933

DOD: August 12, 2004

Snowden, Edward (“E.Y.”)

Achievements: As President of Universal Optical (’86-’88), oversaw launch of flexible metal segment of eyewear in America; As President of APC/Sprint Spectrum (’94-’98), oversaw launch of America’s first PCS and first GSM network – introducing our country to texting. CEO of NASDAQ:BCGI (’98-’07). CEO of Tatara Systems (’07-’11). Founder & CEO of One Door (’14-’20).

Chapter: Mu, 1976

Soltman, Walter E.

Achievements: Executive Director of the Zeta Psi Fraternity (1946-1947)

Chapter: Phi, 1918

Sommers, John B. Y.

Term: Phi Alpha from 1850–1851

Chapter: Phi, 1849

DOD: August 15, 1829 -November 23, 1863

Dr Benjamin M Spock

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

Spohn, John

Achievements: James J. Carey Leadership Award (2016)

Chapter: Pi, 1981

Steers, Ian “Barry” C. C.

Achievements: Canadian Ambassador to Japan from 1981 to 1989, Ambassador to Brazil from 1971 to 1976, as well as Canada's first Commissioner to Bermuda from 1976 to 1979.

Chapter: Theta Phi, 1951

DOD: January 15, 1927 – November 20, 2011

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

Steiny, Homer J.

Achievements: 8th President of the Zeta Psi Educational Foundation (1956-1959). From 1959 until 2018, the Phi Alpha of the Fraternity and President of the Educational Foundation offices were held by the same Brother concurrently. 1961 Zeta Psi Distinguished Service Award Honoree.

Chapter: Mu, 1915

DOD: February 23, 1892 - May 31, 1974