The Zeta Psi Chapter’s motto is “40 Years And Building…The Journey Continues.” However, that motto is now out of date as the fraternity celebrates its 50th anniversary at Lamar University.
The Zeta Psi Chapter, part of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, celebrated their anniversary April 15 in Gray Library’s eighth floor reception center with a luncheon, as well as additional publicly and privately held events which ran April 14-16.
The idea for Zeta Psi Chapter started in the fall of 1970 when some young men were invited to attend a smoker, which is an invitation to meet with other fraternities such as Kappa Alpha Psi who wanted to start an undergraduate chapter at Lamar. On April 6, 1973, five of them were accepted to be Kappas for Lamar’s Kappa Alpha Psi chapter. These five would go on to be called “The Five Fifths.”
The originator of the Zeta Psi Chapter, Samuel Peterson was a member of the Beaumont/Port Arthur Alumni Chapter. And was nicknamed the “Dreamer” by “The Five Fifths.”
The fraternity developed service initiatives including taking underprivileged kids to the campus pool and assisting the elderly.
Along with being involved in the community, they would also talk to young men matriculating to Lamar, Spencer Charlton, one of the “Five Fifths” said.
“In an effort to introduce them to fraternities, which was something lower income communities weren't aware of, we would bring them (to Lamar) and get them acclimated to campus life, and introduced ourselves to the administration and teachers at those community schools,” he said.
“I'm an engineer. I've had a lot of opportunity to travel and work for the Navy as an engineer. I met(fraternity) brothers on board ships and we used to recognize each other.”
Charlton said fraternity members associate with each other through a series of alumni chapters.
“They recommend (places) if you're looking for a church, restaurant or whatever, and you can also become a part of the community by participating in activities,” he said.
Charlton said he feels fortunate that he was able find a group to bond with and found the fraternity.
“Sam (Peterson) was the guy that brought us together through his determination and leadership,” Charlton said. “He's the guy that really had the vision to bring us together.”
For more information on Lamar’s Zeta Psi Chapter, visit lamar.edu/students/student-engagement/greek-life/index
