Our Story

A coat of arms with various symbols, a shield, and a wreath of oak leaves.
A coat of arms with various symbols, a shield, and a wreath of oak leaves.
Black and white photograph of five men, with one larger portrait at the top and four smaller portraits below, featuring historical figures in formal attire with beards and glasses.
Black and white photograph of five men, with one larger portrait at the top and four smaller portraits below, featuring historical figures in formal attire with beards and glasses.
A historical castle-like building with Gothic architectural features and a large arched window, with people and horse-drawn carriages in front.

The Founding of Zeta Psi

Zeta Psi was founded on June 1, 1847, at New York University by three students—John Bradt Yates Sommers, William Henry Dayton, and John Moon Skillman. At a time when higher education in America was rapidly evolving, these founders sought to create an organization that extended beyond the classroom—one rooted in intellectual growth, moral character, and enduring brotherhood.

From its earliest days, Zeta Psi distinguished itself through its emphasis on both scholarship and connection. The founders envisioned a fraternity that would unite individuals across campuses, fostering a network that would support members throughout their lives. This vision led to one of the fraternity’s defining characteristics: a strong national presence built on shared values and lifelong affiliation.

As Zeta Psi expanded beyond New York, it became one of the first fraternities to establish a truly intercollegiate structure, linking chapters together under a unified identity. This early commitment to expansion and cohesion helped lay the foundation for a fraternity that would endure for generations.

Today, the founding principles of Zeta Psi continue to guide the organization—promoting leadership, integrity, and a commitment to something greater than oneself. What began in 1847 as a small group of students has grown into a lasting brotherhood with a legacy that continues to evolve.

Two men in military and formal civilian attire shake hands, with a third man in uniform observing, in front of a curtain.
Two men in military and formal civilian attire shake hands, with a third man in uniform observing, in front of a curtain.

Brotherhood Beyond Battle

The photograph captures a powerful reunion years after the Battle of Chattanooga, symbolizing the enduring bond of brotherhood beyond war itself. During the battle, Brother Henry Schwerin of Zeta Psi lay gravely wounded with the fraternity’s badge pinned to his Union uniform. A passing Confederate soldier, also a Zete, recognized the badge and chose compassion over conflict, carrying Schwerin to safety and medical care.

Years later, the two men would meet again and shake hands — not as enemies of opposing armies, but as brothers united by the ideals of Zeta Psi. The badge was later entrusted to Max Schwerin, who would go on to serve as international president of the fraternity, and today it remains preserved within the fraternity archives as one of its most treasured symbols of loyalty, reconciliation, and brotherhood transcending division.

A vintage illustration of a landscape with orange poppies, trees, crosses, and a church in the background. The illustration accompanies a poem titled 'In Flanders Fields' by Lt. Col. John McCrae.
A vintage illustration of a landscape with orange poppies, trees, crosses, and a church in the background. The illustration accompanies a poem titled 'In Flanders Fields' by Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Black and white photograph of a man in military uniform with a strap across his chest, with short hair and a serious expression.
Black and white photograph of a man in military uniform with a strap across his chest, with short hair and a serious expression.

A Legacy of Influence: John McCrae

Among the many individuals connected to Zeta Psi’s legacy is John McCrae, a physician, soldier, and poet whose words have endured for generations. McCrae is best known as the author of In Flanders Fields, one of the most recognized poems to emerge from World War I.

Written in 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres, the poem was inspired by the loss of a close friend and the countless lives affected by the war. Its vivid imagery of poppies growing among soldiers’ graves captured both the sorrow of loss and a call to remembrance. Over time, In Flanders Fields became a defining symbol of sacrifice and is still honored today, particularly on Memorial Day and Remembrance Day.

McCrae’s contribution reflects the broader ideals associated with Zeta Psi—intellectual depth, service, and a lasting impact beyond one’s immediate surroundings. His work stands as a reminder that the influence of a single individual can extend far beyond their own time, shaping how future generations remember and understand history.

A large group of soldiers in uniform marching in formation on a grassy field, wearing helmets and carrying backpacks.

In Honor and Remembrance

During both World War I and World War II, thousands of members of Zeta Psi Fraternity answered the call to serve their countries, taking roles as soldiers, officers, physicians, engineers, and public servants across multiple theaters of war. Many brothers made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind a legacy of courage, duty, and commitment that became deeply woven into the fraternity’s history.

Despite the uncertainty and devastation of wartime, Zeta Psi’s international structure remained a defining strength. Chapters across the United States and Canada continued to uphold communication, support fellow brothers, and preserve the fraternity’s principles during periods of immense global instability. The bonds formed through Zeta Psi extended beyond individual campuses, creating a network of lifelong connection and mutual support that endured even during times of conflict and separation.

The experiences of these generations reinforced many of the values that continue to shape Zeta Psi today: service, resilience, leadership, and brotherhood. Through war and peace alike, the fraternity’s commitment to unity and character remained steadfast, helping preserve an organization whose legacy continues to span borders, generations, and changing eras.