LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

By Amy Lynch

Brotherhood runs in the family. When Scott Sliski Kansas ’91 graduated from the University of Kansas in 1994, he never could have imagined that 30 years later, he’d be visiting his son Aiden Kansas ’23 at the same house he’d lived in as a Phi Psi.

Opportunities for collaboration, philanthropy and social interaction were what originally drew Scott to Phi Psi as a freshman on the Lawrence campus back in 1991.

“For me, the Fraternity provided a unique structure that strikes a balance between school and social life, and I think that’s so important for kids to learn as they’re coming into college,” he said.

Earning Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry and business administration, Scott eventually went on to own a company that manufactured liquid flavoring concentrates for the food industry. Now retired, he gives back by serving as an advisor to the Colorado Alpha Chapter from his home in Fort Collins.

When the time came for Aiden to start considering colleges, Kansas quickly rose to the top of his prospect list.

“Kansas has always been like a second home to me,” he explained. “My dad’s side of the family went to KU, and I’ve been traveling here since I was young. Growing up in Colorado, I knew I wanted to go somewhere different to experience new things and meet new people. That’s exactly what I’ve found here at Kansas.”

Aiden’s decision to pledge Phi Kappa Psi in 2023 made his already proud dad even prouder.

“When Aiden came to me and said to me, ‘I’ve made up my mind. I want to go to University of Kansas, and I want to be a Phi Psi,’ it was such a special feeling,” Scott recalled. “It’s amazing to be able to live vicariously not only through the kids I advise, but also to have my son experience some of the same things that I did in college and share that connection with him.”

From a legacy standpoint, Aiden enjoys knowing that his dad truly understands the ins and outs of Phi Psi Brotherhood.

“I get to walk down the hall and see my dad’s composite hanging on the wall,” he said. “Having him here for events like dads’ weekend, collaborating between the Kansas and Colorado chapters, and just being able to compare and contrast our stories has been really great.”

When he graduates in 2027, Aiden plans to follow in his parents’ footsteps by pursuing a career in sales, tapping into Phi Psi contacts he’s made along the way for guidance and direction.

“I didn’t really know anyone my first year, but now I’m getting to meet more alumni at family weekends and other events, talk with them and hear about their experiences,” he mentioned. “I use LinkedIn a lot to find job leads and internships. When I’m scrolling through, if I see a Phi Psi has just gotten a new position or is doing something great, I’ll reach out in the hopes that maybe we can meet or collaborate sometime in the future.”

“One thing that was really important to me when I was in the house was the alumni relations we had available to us,” Scott agreed. “As an advisor, I’ve worked on connecting the Colorado Alpha Chapter with alumni that I know personally and helping them as they progress through their junior and senior years to take advantage of those connections in a mentoring capacity.”

In addition, Scott keeps the bonds of Brotherhood alive by staying in touch with members of his own class in person and through social media.

“We’ve all grown in different directions through the years, but Phi Psi remains the common denominator between all of us,” he said. “One of my pledge brothers also has a son in the Phi Psi house at Kansas, and we reconnected last year at dads’ weekend after not seeing each other for almost 20 years. We picked right back up where we left off. It was like no time had passed at all.”

Currently serving his chapter as philanthropy chair, Aiden urges his fellow Brothers to find their own ways to get involved with the Fraternity and make the most of their Phi Psi experience.

“Getting to meet a bunch of great guys I get to call my Brothers, and also getting to call them my friends has been amazing,” he said. “Experiencing all of these school activities and events together and knowing that you always have someone who’s there for you is what really makes the Brotherhood special. It’s a kind of loyalty you can’t find anywhere else.”