Willard Fiske, Psi 1851, Hamilton College FIRST EDITOR OF THE DIAMOND

By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ,

Leadership emerges not only from on high and authority but also from individuals with strong vision and willingness to do good works. Our history boasts publication of the first fraternity magazine in 1850, and yet that periodical did not begin the beloved Diamond that all Psi U’s know. The original publication by the Delta chapter lasted for only one year in 1850, but had a profound effect on young brother Willard Fiske, Psi 1851 (Hamilton), still in his undergraduate years.

Almost thirty years later Brother Willard found himself the foremost scholar of Psi Upsilon in his day. He already composed multiple of our beloved songs and delivered an oral history of our founding at the convention of 1876. The Convention of 1877 invested him with the responsibility of editing the catalog of the current membership and he continued work on what would become his Bibliographica Psiupsilona. At that same convention, Brother Charles P. Bacon, Chi ‘82 (Cornell), editor and publisher of the Elmira Daily, recommended Brother Willard to cast the vote on behalf of the graduates.

Over the course of the next year, brothers Bacon and Fiske conspired to bring about a new periodical to serve the brotherhood. Professor Fiske, no stranger to publication, began his post-college career as the secretary for the American Geographical Society and editor of the Syracuse Journal

From 1857-61 he served as one of the editors of Chess Monthly. Now he held the position of professor and librarian at Cornell University where he aided and mentored the fledgling Xi chapter.

In February of 1878, the first issue of the Diamond arrived in the homes of brothers nationwide. The Diamond

(GeorgiaTech)

rightfully boasted years of research. The first year of issues omitted attribution to Fiske. However, you can see Fiske’s fingerprints everywhere from opening with song lyrics through the regular feature of the oral history of the founders within the first year, though all brothers of the time knew of his involvement. That first year, much like the modern Diamond, the publication concerned itself with the past, present, and future of Psi U...documenting not only history but also current gatherings and providing resources for the membership. Though the magazine boasted the prodigious experience of these two men and quality content, its success held no guarantee. As early as the first issue Brother Bacon implores the reader that nine more subscriptions were needed to break even and if possible if brothers considered a year’s subscription for $1.00.

Fortunately for all of us, the Diamond soon became an institution. A few short months later in May 1878, the national Convention hosted by the Upsilon chapter recognized the value of the Diamond and approved it as the official publication not only of a few chapters but of the fraternity as a whole.

Although brother Willard remained a frequent contributor to the Diamond and the fraternity, his life soon began a new chapter. Within a year after publication, he took a sabbatical from Cornell to travel abroad and ultimately never resided in the United States permanently again. During those travels Fiske obtained the books he donated to Cornell, beginning the worldfamous Fiske Dante collection. His journeys led him to Jennie McGraw with their infamous romance and marriage. Daniel Willard Fiske passed away in 1905 leaving a sizable bequest to the fraternity and lies in rest alongside his wife Jennie Fisk at Cornell. The publications of Psi Upsilon like the Beacon, and Reflections continue the mission he began bringing the news of our society and keeping disparate brothers connected through print and the ever-changing landscape of media.

Sources

•Convention records of 1877 and 1878 https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Convention-Records_May_1878. pdf#search=Convention%201878

•https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Convention-Records_May_1877 .pdf#search=Convention%201877

•First issue of the Diamond - https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_Feb_1878.pdf#search=Diamond%20February%201878

•The Passionate Collector: Willard Fiske, published by the University of Cornell Library https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/collector/introduction/index.html

JACK MORTON, THETA THETA ‘57: AKA RADIO MAN

By Chrisopher Lawrance Tang ESQ, Gamma Tau ‘01

Entering adulthood often accompanies a desire to forge one’s own path in the world outside the shadow of one’s parents. At the same time, our society understands that parents often pass down their values to their scions and these legacies receive pledge bids.

John Archibald “Jack” Morton, Theta Theta ‘57 (Washington), came to this world in 1935 and bore the same name as his father John Archibald “Archie” Morton, Theta Theta ‘26. Archie Morton attended the University of Washington and pledged the Theta Theta chapter of Psi Upsilon. Archie stood among the delegation of the 1947 convention and 1927 conventions 1. A local executive in radio industry from ‘41-’47, he moved his family around the West Coast.

In 1953 Jack followed his father’s footsteps twice over. First, when he matriculated to the University of Washington and second, when he pledged as a brother of Psi Upsilon 2. During his time at Washington, Brother Jack rowed on the crew team and this love of boating would stay with him for his whole life. Life had other plans and in 1955 the US Army drafted young Jack. After two years of service, Jack returned to Washington where he enrolled in the University of Puget Sound at Tacoma. There he hosted a local jazz show at a radio station and soon received a call from a radio manager noticing his talent and offering him a job. “Dad never pushed me into radio. I just went into it naturally.”

Over the next 60 years Jack formed a legacy of his own in the greater Seattle area. As a radio host he raised thousands of dollars for charity and garnered a reputation for his comedic personality influencing a generation of radio https://www.pugetsoundradio.com/2016/06/06/ seattle-radio-man-jack-morton-dies/ Recording of Jack Morton live on and comedians. His radio stunts included numerous boating and athletic events showing how college only solidified that into a lifelong passion. While he originally expected that as he got older to transition into a business oriented role such as ad sales, his passion for performance kept Jack on the mic. As he explained to the Seattle Times “I plan to go on doing what I’m doing as long as I can -- as long as the listeners want me.”

Like all radio hosts, Jack adapted as best as possible to changing technology as the times moved around him. The rise of television and eventually the internet reduced the influence and prioritization of radio across the country. The portfolio of Jack changed over the years shifting from music, to sports, to news, and even mystery dramas. In the early 90’s Jack, still an adventurous spirit, became a host on minor celebrity along with his wife leading guided tours all over the world with his wife. Change did not sit well with everyone and in 1992 lost one of his best friends and co-workers Bob Hardwick. “They don’t come any bigger or better than Robert. I’ll always remember his laugh.” He added, “He’d always mention that we were getting older. The business is getting younger. You have to scratch to hang on.”

In 2006 Jack’s station KIXI-AM fired all but one local employee; changing to syndicated content. The loss reverberated throughout the Seattle community. Jack, now in his 70’s, decided that this would be the last show and he transitioned to retirement. He spent time with his wife, children, and grandchildren in their homes and often on his boat. Brother Jack passed away in 2016 peacefully at his home remembered by multiple generations for his own legacy to the community at large and in a personal way as a voice and companion through their days.

CLARIFICATION/DISAMBIGUATION:

Jack Morton Worldwide is not affiliate with the subject of this article https://www.historylink.org/File/22450 The majority of this article draws from this resource

Footnotes:

1. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Convention-Records_June_1947. pdf#search=Morton%201954 Father’s participation in Psi U

2. https://www.psiuarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ The-Diamond-of-Psi-Upsilon_Nov_1953.pdf#search=John%20A.%20Morton Initiation