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As part of the Cultural Heritage Fund initiative, we are putting together an on-line history of Psi Chapter If you have any historical information, articles, pictures, documents and stories from your chapter, we want to see it! Please reach out to the cultural heritage committee at this link.
Please send us:
Send all information to the cultural heritage committee at this link. Send any physical items to our National Archives at:
Alpha Phi Delta National Archives
257 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave. Suite A
Camden, DE 19934
Please send us:
- Any photos from your undergrad days, alumni reunions, any physical memorabilia (or pictures of memorabilia) like mugs, glasses, jackets, anything that is about your chapter.
- Do you have interesting stories/anecdotes? Send them, we'll format them and include them in our history.
- Events/Reunions/Pamphlets/Brochures/Journals - we want it all! Physical or Digital.
- Are there distinguished/famous brothers from your chapter? Let's acknowledge them. We can profile them here, in the Kleos, or if their contributions are significant they can be considered for our Century Society.
Send all information to the cultural heritage committee at this link. Send any physical items to our National Archives at:
Alpha Phi Delta National Archives
257 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave. Suite A
Camden, DE 19934
History of Psi
Written by John Russo
Written by John Russo
Psi HIstory: As was typical in the early part of the last century, the principle on which Alpha Phi Delta was founded at Syracuse was played out at other college campuses in northeastern United States. Groups of Italian-American college students banded together and formed a local fraternity. Upon being discovered by the Alpha Phi Delta organization, which was founded in 1914, the group was asked to colonize and join a national fraternity.
Delta Lambda Mu was organized on November 7, 1927 by a group of Italian students attending Duquesne University. These students were desirous of associating in order to promote good fellowship, to further a spirit of goodwill and unselfishness without prejudice, and to exert in student years and during after life, an influence toward morality, integrity and efficiency, and to preserve to the fullest extent the traditions of the school. Upon such principles, the Delta Lambda Mu fraternity at Duquesne University was founded.
After drawing up a petition as to the purpose of the fraternity, and after consulting all recognized authorities, the Very Reverend President of the University pronounced Delta Lambda Mu one of the fraternities at Duquesne. Anthony Presogna, a student of the School of Accounts (today known as the Business School), was the originator and founder of the fraternity. He realized that a fraternity spirit among the Italian boys was needed, not only to provide for the limited numbers then attending but to embrace the successive infiltration of the students to all departments. His three associates in this undertaking were Joe Pesci, Francis DeSanctis and Patsy Rubino.
With the drafting and the adoption of the constitution and the election of officers, the fraternity began to function. January 16, 1928, marked the first epoch in its history in honor of its pledges at the University Auditorium. Participants at that occasion noted the splendor and gaiety of the festival. Another affair was held on Febraury 16, 1928. This was a testimonial dinner in honor of brother and university football captain-elect, Aldo “Buff” Donnelli. At bi-weekly meetings in Canevin Hall, brothers started to lay out plans for the future. The initial faculty advisor was Dr. Charles Barone of Nu Chapter, Alpha Phi Delta. Seventeen charter members were listed as members of Delta Lambda Mu. The first president was Anthony Presogna and vice president was Frank DeMaria.
In 1929, Delta Lambda Mu was officially chartered as Psi Chapter of the national Alpha Phi Delta on March 17 th . Strangely and without reconciliation, of the 17 founding brothers of Delta Lambda Mu only 12 were listed as founders of Psi chapter. Perhaps the five had graduated and were not recognized. Those members were Michael Maggiano, George Conti, Louis Franchina, William Settino and Matthew Giordano. The founders of Psi Chapter as noted in the roster accompanying this history were those brothers who were actually founders of Delta Lambda Mu in 1927. The second class noted in the roster also in spring 1929 after the founders were the brothers who were initiated in 1928 of Delta Lambda Mu.
After the chapter’s founding, Aldo “Buff” Donelli is given credit for promoting the chapter with the self-same spirit that made him a successful football coach (of both Duquesne’s Division I team and later the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL franchise. At one time he was coach of both teams and was forced to choose – he chose Duquesne over the then woeful Steelers). Through the early thirties when the struggle for existence became more acute, the strong willed guidance and contribution from Adam DiVincenzo, Armand Niccolai, Al DeMao, Tom Corbo and others kept the fraternal spirit spiraling higher. Psi Chapter continued to gain momentum until 1941 when it enjoyed a prosperous year. Then came the
great World War and with it a call to duty that reduced the membership to four. With only six bothers on campus in 1945, Psi was awarded a plaque by national as Most Improved Chapter in competition with 15 other chapters. It was the first of numerous honors the chapter would receive over the years.
With the end of the War and the enrollment of the G.I.s at Duquesne, Psi Chapter became reincarnated and reached new highs that have never been exceeded. With its guardian angel, Fr. Sal Federici, Psi enjoyed a true fraternal spirit attributed to their chaplain and spiritual advisor. Adam DiVincenzo was the District Governor and kept the boys in line. In 1948, the chapter initiated 51 new members! In 1949, its 20 th anniversary of founding, the chapter reached its largest membership ever at 75 brothers. In 1948 a tradition was started by sponsoring a formal Ball at the University. Originally held in late May of each year, it was called the Formal May Annual Dance when first started in the late 1930s. By 1948, it became the May Ball. In that era, many other groups held balls. Back in the days of big bands, Psi brought in the likes of Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey to play at the ball. In the 1960s, nationally known Brenda and the Tabulations played there. In 1970, the university changed the school calendar year and May no longer was an active school month. Psi changed the name to the Valentine Ball in 1971 and moved it to February. In the 2000s, the Ball became a charity event benefiting ALS and our deceased advisor brother, Dr. Michael Cahill. Sadly, the Ball tradition ended in 2016 with the undergraduates serving a suspension. It has not been held since but hope remains that the boys will find a way to
resurrect the 70-year tradition.
The good times at the chapter lasted through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Adam DiVincenzo continued to mentor Psi Chapter followed by A. Joseph Creston. Adam established a work ethic for Alpha Phi Delta that would set the standard for the chapter and for national for years to come. Adam ingrained Alpha Phi Delta on Psi men for more than 50 years. In 1952, he became National President, the first of nine Psi men to hold that office. Others have been Joseph Scioscia, Trent Ciarrocchi, Joseph Creston, Anthony Carfang, Mike Zerega, Robert Valeriano, Doug Sundo and Jim Miller. More Psi men have led Alpha Phi Delta than any other chapter. Many other Psi men have also held various national offices over the years including long-time Kleos Editor and Convention Chairman John Russo. With role models in Adam and Fr. Federici, the Psi tradition produced Joseph Creston, who pledged in 1949. Joe became a strong influence on the chapter and at the district and national levels. He was a mentor to many young brothers to follow in the 1960s and beyond. Joe passed the legacy on to Paul Fabrizio in the 1960s and to Tony Carfang, Mike Zerega, Cal Shipley, Bob Valeriano and John Russo among others in the 1970s.
Psi men have strong memories of their undergraduate days. Besides the Ball, undergrads participated in intramural sports, Greek Sing and Carnival (a Duquesne tradition that still endures). There are still arguments from brothers from the 1940s and 1950s over who should have been voted Best Actor at Carnival (was it Lefty Armenti or Dick Mellick). And everyone shares memories of mixers with a sorority and a favorite sweetheart. The chapter also mixed social with fundraising, supporting charities such as muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) among others over the years. With the peak of the Vietnam War era in the late 1960s, the roster declined and Psi had membership problems. However, the last pledge class of 1969 brought in 16 new brothers. This group defined Psi Chapter for the next four years to new brothers. The chapter continued to prosper through the 1970s
and 1980s; and in the 1990s, the group reached 50 members (its highest number since the early 1950s).
Psi Chapter has produced many quality men in its 1000 plus initiates, men who have excelled in business, humanity and furthered the ideals of Alpha Phi Delta at all levels. No single chapter after Alpha (Syracuse) and Beta (Columbia)—who started our illustrious fraternity—has been as dominant as Psi in the history of Alpha Phi Delta. Besides the most initiates, Psi has won the most awards in the fraternity—awards given in recognition of excellence and contributions towards the betterment of APD. The Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award has been given to Psi men seven times. Six times Psi Chapter has received the Most Outstanding Chapter Award, and 12 times Psi men have received the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award. Both are the most in fraternity history. Along with these honors, the Pittsburgh Alumni Club, comprised of many Psi men, has won the Most Outstanding Alumni Club a record 14 times.
A grand celebration of its 75 th anniversary was held in March 2004 with 125 brothers in attendance. This milestone event was the biggest celebration of brothers in the history of the chapter. The 80th anniversary celebration in 2009 was attended by 100 brothers. One of the strengths to Psi’s longevity is the fact that it had continually pledged. For the first 75 years
encompassing 150 semesters, Psi had failed to have a pledge class only twice (in spring 1971 when it actually had a pledge class that was not initiated until the fall and in fall 1995 when it was on suspension). In the spring of 2005, the chapter initiated its 1000 th brother—the first and only chapter in National to have achieved that milestone. Since then, the chapter has had a few rough spots with membership dipping fewer than 20 brothers for the first time since the late 1960s and maybe the lowest numbers since World War II. There was no pledge class in the fall of 2005, the spring of 2006, fall 2007, fall 2009 and fall 2017. Our strength of pledging had become a weakness. However, the chapter is bouncing back and has been steady in recent years with chapter membership in the 30s. In 2019, we celebrated 90 continuous years as a fraternity on the campus of Duquesne University with an inducted roster of 1150 men.
Author’s notes: History noted in this program comes from Duquesne’s archives and the 1949 chapter yearbook and the author’s own information obtained over the past 40 plus years as an unofficial chapter historian. The roster of Psi chapter brothers was compiled by the editor over many years of research starting in 1979. Surprisingly National’s records were not all inclusive and the list was compiled in conjunction with national’s database, ball books and discussions and interviews with brothers of various pledge classes.
The author believes the list to be over 99% accurate. John J. Russo, Psi 1972
Delta Lambda Mu was organized on November 7, 1927 by a group of Italian students attending Duquesne University. These students were desirous of associating in order to promote good fellowship, to further a spirit of goodwill and unselfishness without prejudice, and to exert in student years and during after life, an influence toward morality, integrity and efficiency, and to preserve to the fullest extent the traditions of the school. Upon such principles, the Delta Lambda Mu fraternity at Duquesne University was founded.
After drawing up a petition as to the purpose of the fraternity, and after consulting all recognized authorities, the Very Reverend President of the University pronounced Delta Lambda Mu one of the fraternities at Duquesne. Anthony Presogna, a student of the School of Accounts (today known as the Business School), was the originator and founder of the fraternity. He realized that a fraternity spirit among the Italian boys was needed, not only to provide for the limited numbers then attending but to embrace the successive infiltration of the students to all departments. His three associates in this undertaking were Joe Pesci, Francis DeSanctis and Patsy Rubino.
With the drafting and the adoption of the constitution and the election of officers, the fraternity began to function. January 16, 1928, marked the first epoch in its history in honor of its pledges at the University Auditorium. Participants at that occasion noted the splendor and gaiety of the festival. Another affair was held on Febraury 16, 1928. This was a testimonial dinner in honor of brother and university football captain-elect, Aldo “Buff” Donnelli. At bi-weekly meetings in Canevin Hall, brothers started to lay out plans for the future. The initial faculty advisor was Dr. Charles Barone of Nu Chapter, Alpha Phi Delta. Seventeen charter members were listed as members of Delta Lambda Mu. The first president was Anthony Presogna and vice president was Frank DeMaria.
In 1929, Delta Lambda Mu was officially chartered as Psi Chapter of the national Alpha Phi Delta on March 17 th . Strangely and without reconciliation, of the 17 founding brothers of Delta Lambda Mu only 12 were listed as founders of Psi chapter. Perhaps the five had graduated and were not recognized. Those members were Michael Maggiano, George Conti, Louis Franchina, William Settino and Matthew Giordano. The founders of Psi Chapter as noted in the roster accompanying this history were those brothers who were actually founders of Delta Lambda Mu in 1927. The second class noted in the roster also in spring 1929 after the founders were the brothers who were initiated in 1928 of Delta Lambda Mu.
After the chapter’s founding, Aldo “Buff” Donelli is given credit for promoting the chapter with the self-same spirit that made him a successful football coach (of both Duquesne’s Division I team and later the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL franchise. At one time he was coach of both teams and was forced to choose – he chose Duquesne over the then woeful Steelers). Through the early thirties when the struggle for existence became more acute, the strong willed guidance and contribution from Adam DiVincenzo, Armand Niccolai, Al DeMao, Tom Corbo and others kept the fraternal spirit spiraling higher. Psi Chapter continued to gain momentum until 1941 when it enjoyed a prosperous year. Then came the
great World War and with it a call to duty that reduced the membership to four. With only six bothers on campus in 1945, Psi was awarded a plaque by national as Most Improved Chapter in competition with 15 other chapters. It was the first of numerous honors the chapter would receive over the years.
With the end of the War and the enrollment of the G.I.s at Duquesne, Psi Chapter became reincarnated and reached new highs that have never been exceeded. With its guardian angel, Fr. Sal Federici, Psi enjoyed a true fraternal spirit attributed to their chaplain and spiritual advisor. Adam DiVincenzo was the District Governor and kept the boys in line. In 1948, the chapter initiated 51 new members! In 1949, its 20 th anniversary of founding, the chapter reached its largest membership ever at 75 brothers. In 1948 a tradition was started by sponsoring a formal Ball at the University. Originally held in late May of each year, it was called the Formal May Annual Dance when first started in the late 1930s. By 1948, it became the May Ball. In that era, many other groups held balls. Back in the days of big bands, Psi brought in the likes of Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey to play at the ball. In the 1960s, nationally known Brenda and the Tabulations played there. In 1970, the university changed the school calendar year and May no longer was an active school month. Psi changed the name to the Valentine Ball in 1971 and moved it to February. In the 2000s, the Ball became a charity event benefiting ALS and our deceased advisor brother, Dr. Michael Cahill. Sadly, the Ball tradition ended in 2016 with the undergraduates serving a suspension. It has not been held since but hope remains that the boys will find a way to
resurrect the 70-year tradition.
The good times at the chapter lasted through the 1950s and into the 1960s. Adam DiVincenzo continued to mentor Psi Chapter followed by A. Joseph Creston. Adam established a work ethic for Alpha Phi Delta that would set the standard for the chapter and for national for years to come. Adam ingrained Alpha Phi Delta on Psi men for more than 50 years. In 1952, he became National President, the first of nine Psi men to hold that office. Others have been Joseph Scioscia, Trent Ciarrocchi, Joseph Creston, Anthony Carfang, Mike Zerega, Robert Valeriano, Doug Sundo and Jim Miller. More Psi men have led Alpha Phi Delta than any other chapter. Many other Psi men have also held various national offices over the years including long-time Kleos Editor and Convention Chairman John Russo. With role models in Adam and Fr. Federici, the Psi tradition produced Joseph Creston, who pledged in 1949. Joe became a strong influence on the chapter and at the district and national levels. He was a mentor to many young brothers to follow in the 1960s and beyond. Joe passed the legacy on to Paul Fabrizio in the 1960s and to Tony Carfang, Mike Zerega, Cal Shipley, Bob Valeriano and John Russo among others in the 1970s.
Psi men have strong memories of their undergraduate days. Besides the Ball, undergrads participated in intramural sports, Greek Sing and Carnival (a Duquesne tradition that still endures). There are still arguments from brothers from the 1940s and 1950s over who should have been voted Best Actor at Carnival (was it Lefty Armenti or Dick Mellick). And everyone shares memories of mixers with a sorority and a favorite sweetheart. The chapter also mixed social with fundraising, supporting charities such as muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) among others over the years. With the peak of the Vietnam War era in the late 1960s, the roster declined and Psi had membership problems. However, the last pledge class of 1969 brought in 16 new brothers. This group defined Psi Chapter for the next four years to new brothers. The chapter continued to prosper through the 1970s
and 1980s; and in the 1990s, the group reached 50 members (its highest number since the early 1950s).
Psi Chapter has produced many quality men in its 1000 plus initiates, men who have excelled in business, humanity and furthered the ideals of Alpha Phi Delta at all levels. No single chapter after Alpha (Syracuse) and Beta (Columbia)—who started our illustrious fraternity—has been as dominant as Psi in the history of Alpha Phi Delta. Besides the most initiates, Psi has won the most awards in the fraternity—awards given in recognition of excellence and contributions towards the betterment of APD. The Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award has been given to Psi men seven times. Six times Psi Chapter has received the Most Outstanding Chapter Award, and 12 times Psi men have received the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award. Both are the most in fraternity history. Along with these honors, the Pittsburgh Alumni Club, comprised of many Psi men, has won the Most Outstanding Alumni Club a record 14 times.
A grand celebration of its 75 th anniversary was held in March 2004 with 125 brothers in attendance. This milestone event was the biggest celebration of brothers in the history of the chapter. The 80th anniversary celebration in 2009 was attended by 100 brothers. One of the strengths to Psi’s longevity is the fact that it had continually pledged. For the first 75 years
encompassing 150 semesters, Psi had failed to have a pledge class only twice (in spring 1971 when it actually had a pledge class that was not initiated until the fall and in fall 1995 when it was on suspension). In the spring of 2005, the chapter initiated its 1000 th brother—the first and only chapter in National to have achieved that milestone. Since then, the chapter has had a few rough spots with membership dipping fewer than 20 brothers for the first time since the late 1960s and maybe the lowest numbers since World War II. There was no pledge class in the fall of 2005, the spring of 2006, fall 2007, fall 2009 and fall 2017. Our strength of pledging had become a weakness. However, the chapter is bouncing back and has been steady in recent years with chapter membership in the 30s. In 2019, we celebrated 90 continuous years as a fraternity on the campus of Duquesne University with an inducted roster of 1150 men.
Author’s notes: History noted in this program comes from Duquesne’s archives and the 1949 chapter yearbook and the author’s own information obtained over the past 40 plus years as an unofficial chapter historian. The roster of Psi chapter brothers was compiled by the editor over many years of research starting in 1979. Surprisingly National’s records were not all inclusive and the list was compiled in conjunction with national’s database, ball books and discussions and interviews with brothers of various pledge classes.
The author believes the list to be over 99% accurate. John J. Russo, Psi 1972
Distinguished Alumni
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Ralph August Papania Jr. Psi '38 Aug 12, 1918 – May 29, 2021 He lived to 102 years of age! To read more about his life, see his obituary here. |
Psi Pro Football Players: Two 1935 pro football trading cards, pledge brothers Ben Ciccone and Armand Nicolai, Psi '33. As you can see, Pittsburgh was black and gold, even then but they were called the Pirates that season.
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Pictures and Memories
The May (Valentine's ) Ball History
Psi Chapter had a May Ball for many years, until it was moved to February and became the Valentine's Ball which has continued since. This is a short summary of some of the acts who played at the May Balls in years past (list from Carmen DiGiacomo). Very impressive list of entertainers!
MAY BALL BANDS
1949-Shep Fields’ Orchestra
1950-Artie Shaw
1951-Louis Prima
1952-Woody Herman
1953-Neal Heftie
1954-Charlie Spivak (At the Horizon Room)
1955-Ray Eberle
1956-Ralph Marterie
1957-Richard Maltby
1958-Duke Ellington
1959-Warren Covington/Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
1960-Lester Lanin
1961-Maynard Ferguson
1962-Peter Palmer His Voices & Orchestra
1963-Paul Hubinon & Ray DeFade
1964-None, Co-Sponsored ‘Panoramic Pops’ with Beta Pi Sigma
1965-Lloyd Price & His Orchestra
1966-Buddy Morrow (At the Penn-Sheraton)
1967-The Vogues and The Ray DeFade Orchestra (At the Student Union Ballroom)
1968-Human Beinz & The Rick Maroni Orchestra
1969-Sal Nestor Orchestra & Brenda and the Tabulations (Last May Ball)
TOTAL 20-None in 1964, see above
VALENTINE BALL
1971-‘Thy Brothers Blood’ and the ‘El Books-The First V Ball (At the Student Union Ballroom)
Psi Chapter had a May Ball for many years, until it was moved to February and became the Valentine's Ball which has continued since. This is a short summary of some of the acts who played at the May Balls in years past (list from Carmen DiGiacomo). Very impressive list of entertainers!
MAY BALL BANDS
1949-Shep Fields’ Orchestra
1950-Artie Shaw
1951-Louis Prima
1952-Woody Herman
1953-Neal Heftie
1954-Charlie Spivak (At the Horizon Room)
1955-Ray Eberle
1956-Ralph Marterie
1957-Richard Maltby
1958-Duke Ellington
1959-Warren Covington/Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
1960-Lester Lanin
1961-Maynard Ferguson
1962-Peter Palmer His Voices & Orchestra
1963-Paul Hubinon & Ray DeFade
1964-None, Co-Sponsored ‘Panoramic Pops’ with Beta Pi Sigma
1965-Lloyd Price & His Orchestra
1966-Buddy Morrow (At the Penn-Sheraton)
1967-The Vogues and The Ray DeFade Orchestra (At the Student Union Ballroom)
1968-Human Beinz & The Rick Maroni Orchestra
1969-Sal Nestor Orchestra & Brenda and the Tabulations (Last May Ball)
TOTAL 20-None in 1964, see above
VALENTINE BALL
1971-‘Thy Brothers Blood’ and the ‘El Books-The First V Ball (At the Student Union Ballroom)
Ways to Donate to the Cultural Heritage Initiative
Be sure to note your funds should be directed to the Cultural Heritage Initiative with your donation
Be sure to note your funds should be directed to the Cultural Heritage Initiative with your donation
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1) Mail a check or wire funds payable to Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, Inc.
Send to: Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 23188 Pittsburgh, PA 15222-6188 2) Venmo: The easiest and quickest way to make a contribution up to $5,000.
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