Brothers at Rowan University take brotherhood to a whole new level, uniting an entire chapter back to their founders

Almost every living Phi Psi today likely experienced a transition into the Fraternity as either the little brother to an elder, active member (big brother), or as a son to a fraternity father. Sadly, many of those relationship structures deteriorated with the advent of hazing. Chapters that did not follow the ideals of Phi Kappa Psi as it related to brotherhood, used the family structure as an entertaining way to create levels of superiors within a chapter. 

In the right situation, however, the family structure has paid dividends that will last a lifetime…. 

“New Jersey Epsilon (Rowan) is a chapter strongly based on brotherhood and family,” says Rick Pelletier Rowan ’02. “The familial structure is very well defined.” 

Well defined might be an understatement. Founded in 2000 and home to just over 150 initiates, the relative youth of the chapter has allowed for a great organization of brothers, and kept the founding fathers engaged. Nine men brought Phi Psi to the Rowan campus, and from them grew an incredible tight network of brothers. Each would take on a little brother (sometimes more than one per recruitment class) and the cycle would repeat itself. 

To honor those founding nine, the family structure of New Jersey Epsilon began with nine family trees, and the chapter can now trace every initiate through those nine families. It is something that helps to set the chapter apart from other groups on campus and around the country. 

“The main reason I joined Phi Psi in 2003 was because of the family structure” said Dan Marzin Rowan ’03. “I wanted to be a part of an organization that wasn't the normal ‘fraternity.’ I could see that Phi Psi was a large family away from home and instantly knew I wanted to be a part of it.” 

To an undergraduate member, the family structure is not just a recruitment tool but also a support system within the chapter. It helps to break down any barriers between initiate classes or age groups and gets brothers connected throughout the organization. It also doesn’t hurt to have a few built-in groups of competition to compete with inside the chapter. 

“There are some friendly rivalries between trees, as well as some close bonds between branches,” said Ryan Wolvin Rowan ’04. “It's a special bond we share, and we take a lot of pride in being part of the [Founder Marc] Chaty family tree. I was able to connect with my family tree alumni as an undergraduate, and now, as an alumnus, I'm able to experience Phi Psi in a whole new way.” 

As Phi Kappa Psi continues to help our chapters grow local mentoring programs, the dedication to a family structure from the day of initiation provides a lasting support and guidance network for all members of New Jersey Epsilon. Brothers who are just learning about Phi Psi join our chapter at Rowan and immediately have a deeper connection to brothers older than them, including those nine founders, now in their 30s and able to provide advice as their “descendants” prepare for life after college. As chapters struggle to keep alumni engaged, Rowan merely has to have a family reunion. 

“The close bonds of family trees often leads to brothers doing anything and everything they can for brothers in need,” Pelletier said. “Whether it's weddings, births, funerals, moving, other good times and bad, many of our brothers are there for one another all the time. The family tree structure only helps to strengthen this kind of brotherly love.”

 

“It is a way for our chapter to enhance the undergraduate experience, but more importantly grow in alumni support as well,” Wolvin, who was the best man in Brother Pelletier’s (his big brother) wedding, said. “My ‘family’ is the most important set of brothers to me. I'm getting married in five months and three of them are in my wedding party. These are the brothers I see most often, and have the best memories with.” 

It certainly is not uncommon for friends within school to maintain their bonds of brotherhood beyond graduation, but the family trees at Rowan have now united 12 years of members, many of whom are now friends without ever being classmates. The chapter is one big family, but this organized structure has made New Jersey Epsilon one of Phi Kappa Psi’s strongest chapters when it comes to brotherhood and alumni involvement.

 

“Now that I've graduated, I find myself less concerned with on campus [activities],” Wolvin said. “But I always have time to meet my new tree brothers and continue to develop the bond.”