The Xi is an undergraduate chapter of Psi Upsilon Fraternity. Founded in 1843, the Xi Chapter has been an integral part of Wesleyan's history. The Xi's longevity is, in itself, a celebration of the history of Psi Upsilon and Wesleyan University.
During the 17 decades since Wesleyan's founding, more than 75 Xi brothers have served on the University's board of trustees. One in every five Wesleyan alumni giving service to the board has been a Psi U. Three of these men from the nineteenth century exemplify for Wesleyan's early years the quality of trusteeship achieved by the group.
Arthur B. Calef '51, the first Psi U to become a trustee, joined the board in 1862. Five years later he presented to his fellow trustees a paper on coeducation and a resolution that the "course of study in this University shall be opened to females as well as males. Calef's Xi Brother, Orange Judd '47 used his influence as chief donor to Judd Hall (1870) to obtain a board vote in 1871 that authorized admission of women. Thus began a year later Wesleyan's first era of coeducation, which lasted until 1912. Daniel Ayres '42 (elected in 1843 to the new Psi U chapter) made his major contributions later in the century. He endowed two professorships, one in Biology (1889) and the other in Physics (1893).
Eight of the 53 Xi brothers serving on Wesleyan's board in the twentieth century, to say nothing of the twenty first, illustrate how this tradition extends to the threshold of the new millennium. Bishop Herbert Welch '87 (whose biographical sketch appears in the featured alumni section of this site) was an influential board member during the transition from Wesleyan's era as a regional Methodist institution to a national liberal arts college. He concluded his active trusteeship in 1959 at the age of 97! John Clark '86 was chair of the board from 1911 to 1920, and the naming of Clark Hall in his honor recognized his efforts as a fund-raiser. William Hall '92 was similarly recognized for his donation to a new chemistry building in 1927, forerunner to the current Hall-Atwater Laboratories. C. Everett Bacon '13 is also remembered for service (1933-1960) and a munificent bequest. Many generations will benefit from the field house named for him. Earl Stevenson '16 served as chair of the board during the most fruitful years of Victor L. Butterfield's presidency, and Stuwart Silloway '29 played a key role during that period in the purchase of American Education Press, Inc., the most bountiful financial asset in Wesleyan's history. Stewart Reid '72 enabled Wesleyan to create both a first-rate facility for admissions and a most attractive point of entrance to the campus.
James Van B. Dresser '63 brings this roster to eight. His great-grandfather, James Van Benschoten, was a member of the faculty from 1863 to 1902, and President of the Xi Corporation when the present home of the Xi was built and dedicated in the early 1890s. A graduate of Hamilton College in 1856 and a member of the Theta chapter there, Van Benschoten transferred membership to the Xi upon his arrival at Wesleyan. Because Jim Dresser's grandfather, Henry '08 and father James '37 were Psi U brothers, he can count four generations of connection to Wesleyan and Psi U across one hundred thirty-five years of university and chapter history. To this group of eight, we could easily add such names as John Bodine, "Red" Travis, the "Chip" Stones, father and son, Darryl Hazel, and many others. But the evidence already demonstrates with sufficient clarity the strong roles played by Psi U members serving as Wesleyan Trustees.
Seven campus buildings give testimony to Xi brothers who enhanced the facilities and educational program that foster Wesleyan's continued growth and strength. In addition to the four already mentioned, there is Winchester House, bequeathed to Wesleyan by Caleb T. Winchester '69, known during his fifty-one years of service (and long after) as Wesleyan's greatest teacher. Crowell Concert Hall is named for Walter A. Crowell ’22, who provided for this key component of the Center for the Arts. Three units of the Foss Hill residential complex complete this account. They are named in honor of Leroy Albert Howland ’00, professor of mathematics from 1905 to 1947, who also served at various times during those years as dean, vice-president and acting president.
Standing at the center of College Row and Wesleyan’s history, Memorial Chapel names in its windows and on its plaques not only those who gave their lives in three wars but also a select group of 22 distinguished trustees, presidents and faculty. In addition to the aforementioned Van Benschoten, Winchester, Welch and Howland, his architectural relic and recorder of our heritage cites three other XI brothers among those selected for individual recognition. Calvin Sears Harrington ’52 and his son, K. P. Harrington ’82, teachers of the classics, and Oscar Kuhns ’85, a scholar in the Romance languages. Whether one looks to the board of trustees (one of every five alumni members since 1831), the campus (seven buildings), the chapel (one of every three leaders honored), or Distinguished Service Awards (one of every seven named since the inception of this recognition), there is ample evidence that Psi U brothers are a pervasive positive force in Wesleyan’s past, present and future.
during his fifty-one years of service (and long after) as Wesleyan's greatest teacher. Crowell Concert Hall is named for Walter A. Crowell ’22, who provided for this key component of the Center for the Arts. Three units of the Foss Hill residential complex complete this account. They are named in honor of Leroy Albert Howland ’00, professor of mathematics from 1905 to 1947, who also served at various times during those years as dean, vice-president and acting president. 
