pter Cha Eta
Lehigh Uni vers ity
171st Psi Upsilon
Convention & 2014 Leadership Institute
Known for its rich colonial and industrial history, Bethlehem Pennsylvania became the focal point of all things Psi U for three days in June, 2014. The 171st Psi Upsilon Convention hosted by the Eta chapter, found unique and varied shopping and arts districts during three perfect summer days. It is at the Convention where all of Psi U comes together: the undergraduates and alumni, the Executive Council and Psi Upsilon Foundation, local alumni and alumni from across North America. Each year they gather to govern and celebrate Psi U. The 171st Convention dealt with future Convention sites, reviewed the actions of the Executive Council, received the Annual Communication, and recognized chapters and individuals with Convention awards. At the Psi Upsilon Foundation Founders Society and Scholarship luncheon, donors were recognized as well as 2014-15. scholarship recipients. The luncheon featured Dr. Ken Ball, Eta ‘82, dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University. Ken chaired the Convention committee for the last Convention held with the Eta in 1984. This Convention will long be remembered for its service learning immersion project. A living classroom was constructed and
6 | THE DIAMOND OF PSI UPSILON
assembled as part of a service-learning project by the men and women attending Psi Upsilon’s 171st Convention in partnership with Fountain Hill Elementary School. Fountain Hill Elementary is a community school; both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and various community services. Almost 100 Psi U’s spent the day painting, scraping, weeding and building to enhance this community asset. Play areas came to life with fresh paint, classrooms and hallways were painted, gardens weeded, and metal handrails scraped. A living learning classroom in the form of a garden with shed was built. The living classroom contains a garden to provide children with hands-on learning experiences, teaching them engaging, garden-based lessons. These lessons complement the existing classroom curriculum. The flexible space with the secured shed provide the students, teachers and families of the Fountain Hill Elementary School a place to grow, share and explore the natural world. The Eta chapter and Fountain Hill along with Lehigh University, have been partnering for many years. The Fraternity’s day of service at Fountain Hill School exemplified the power of community partnerships leading to community and personal development.
