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Lifelong Leader - Patrick Gilrane, Psi ’83 (Hamilton College) “It’s been a GREAT journey . . . and I’ve had a ton of fun along the way”
Spring 2013
investments, serving on both the Psi U Executive Council and Foundation Board, helping develop a “career day” and mentoring concept for the benefit of the Fraternity’s undergraduates, leading a local Boy Scout troop (his two sons have achieved Eagle rank), participating in the Young Presidents’ Organization and squeezing in sailing time (he’s an avid sailor) when weather permits. All the while, this multi-talented alumnus is making an unbelievable difference for Psi U and the lives he touches. For those reading this whose career path ended up far from the discipline they started out with at their own campus, they’ll appreciate the fact this Hamilton College grad was a geology major, with plans to go into the oil business. But jobs in the petroleum industry were few and far between when he graduated. With the help of a Psi U alumnus he got into business school . . . and that changed his life, personally and professionally.
Patrick J. Gilrane, Psi ‘83 (Hamilton College) at the 2013 Psi Career Day
Most of us haven’t given much thought to what we’d want inscribed on our tombstone. But if you spend a few minutes with Patrick Gilrane, Psi ‘83, and then ask him that very question, this is what you’ll hear. For the record, this super energetic resident of Cos Cob, Connecticut (near Greenwich) has no immediate plans for worrying about actually placing an inscription just yet. He simply has no time for that. Talk about wearing many hats! Gilrane’s “hat rack” is something else. His daily agenda includes running his own financial firm dealing with consumer product marketing and
Not surprisingly, Patrick Gilrane credits his successes, his ambitions, and his motivations largely to his Psi Upsilon roots. Gilrane quickly points to lifelong friendships in Psi U as being an influential “ingredient” in his life. With business colleagues who are brothers, there is a level of trust some might not understand; they enjoy each other’s company and have fun doing it, he’s proud to say. He’s recently become reengaged in the affairs of the Fraternity and Foundation and feels the outgrowth of that involvement helps enhance Psi U’s relevance as an organization for him. “Alumni want to connect,” he says, and proof of that are the recent alumni gatherings in Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Atlanta. He is proud of his role in that undertaking,
Patrick Gilrane, continued helping give the Foundation a leg-up in promoting the Psi U Leadership Initiative, all the while creating opportunities for brothers to be involved as volunteers and mentors. So now comes the Career Day concept . . . giving undergraduate brothers the opportunity to rub elbows with alumni about career opportunities beyond campus. Gilrane will tell you the idea did not originate with him, but even the casual observer will tell you it has certainly gained solid footing and momentum with his involvement at his own Psi chapter. The Career Day thrust is aimed at the importance of being prepared for what the new graduate may face. Alumni are invited to participate in panel discussions at the chapter level, relating their own experiences in their particular profession. Students gain a first-hand look at the world beyond their campus, and alumni interaction is an especially positive outgrowth of the activity. He believes the concept can be replicated in most Psi U chapters, a win for undergraduates, alumni, parents, and the colleges themselves. We asked him the inevitable question about why he donates to Psi U, aside from his personal involvement with the Fraternity and Foundation. Simple, he says: “I love the organization and because it helps others where it counts.” And he will also tell you that the support of his “bride”
The Gilrane family from left: Patrick, Bonnie, Timothy, Ryan and their dog Otea.
makes all the difference . . . that she is fully supportive of his involvement in and enthusiasm for Psi Upsilon. Her support makes a difference for him. Psi U is truly the beneficiary of involved brothers like Patrick Gilrane!
How your 2012 Annual Fund gift was used:
64 staff visits
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE UNDERGRADUATES:
100 days spent on campus
59 Attendees from 28 Chapters 10.5 hours of programming (Twice the hours from the year before)
ALUMNI:
36 Attendees from 19 Chapters 7.5 hours of programming
ARCHONS ACADEMY 27 Chapters Represented Issues discussed: Psi U values and history Creating a culture of discipline Preventing hazing Making Tough Decisions Working with Alumni
316
Scholarships $32,500 awarded to 21 recipients from 15 chapters
new members completed GreekLifeEdu:
an interactive program that focuses on alcohol consumption, hazing, and sexual assult, helping students make safer and healthier decisions.
Wait til you see what we do with your 2013 Annual Fund gift. Use the enclosed envelope & send your gift today.
Table manners and tow trucks? Even a casual conversation with Matthew (Matt) Hamielec, Omicron ‘14 (Illinois) will lead you in a variety of directions. Add to that his great sense of humor and you’ve got yourself an outstanding Psi U! So where do table manners and tow trucks come in? Don’t get the cart before the horse. Keep reading. Hailing from Park Ridge, Illinois (near O’Hare airport), Matt chose the University of Illinois for what it had to offer in his areas of interest: pre-law, accounting, and history. It’s an interesting mix of pursuits that makes a lot of sense for this soon-to-be graduating senior. And if you want to know where he’d like to end up job-wise, he’ll tell you as a Supreme Court judge. Lofty ambition? Absolutely. Why not? Matt is a deserving recipient of the Salvatore (Sam) Biardo Omicron ‘04 scholarship. Biardo died as a sophomore from a congenital heart defect and his impact on the chapter is keenly felt to this day. As chapter president, Hamielec embraced that influence, and senses he has learned (and is learning) how a firm functions, with mid-management responsibilities demanding a balance between the alumni board and the undergraduate perspective. When he was a freshman, the chapter had 60 members. Today, 75 . . . shooting for 100. He’d like to think he’s played a role in that growth (and he’d be right). Ask this brother to turn his resume face down, then tell you things about himself you can’t get from reading it. He’ll tell you he thoroughly enjoys (prefers) always being engaged. He says he’s not a workaholic, but “boredom is a killer.” Nothing boring here: his interests include botany, fishing (and fish tanks), theater, and singing. Oh, he’s also fascinated by dinosaurs. And loves to play pool. Matt readily suggests Psi U has influenced him measurably by offering a balanced college experience through academic pursuits and leadership development. His talents and leadership are very visible as an undergraduate term member of the International Fraternity’s Executive Council. Matt’s also a donor to Psi U. But he’ll readily admit some of his key challenges lie within his own Omicron chapter framework. The aging
physical plant is a constant source of concern and cost. When he isn’t worrying about water leaks and loose floor tiling, he jumps head-first into the effort to get his brothers more involved in campus organizations beyond Psi Upsilon. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that one of his chief pet peeves is laziness . . . “people who set the bar too low and succeed in achieving it” drive him bonkers. For those readers wondering about “table manners and tow trucks,” Matt loves to tell this story. Brad Corner, Omicron ‘72 suggested it would be entirely appropriate to invite the University’s new chancellor to dinner at the chapter house. And so Matt invited Dr. Phyllis Wise to join undergraduate and alumni brothers for dinner, maybe thinking her schedule wouldn’t permit. But it did. And she did! Omicron brothers have a “dress up” dinner every Thursday, and a “dry run” dinner was scheduled to make sure everyone knew which fork to use and when. For dinner with the chancellor, the chapter’s chef did herself proud and an excellent dinner was the result. Matt will tell you the chancellor “loved the dinner,” and afterward there was good discussion about Greek affairs and University programs.
And when it was time for the chancellor to leave, she stepped outside and found that her car had been towed by the campus police! Bob McIntire, Omicron ‘68 drove her to the impounded vehicle, together with some of the undergraduate brothers. Using his skills and persuasion as a district attorney, Bob was able to assist in getting her car back. In turn, the chancellor drove the undergraduates back to the chapter house. Talk about an evening to remember! Rest assured that Matt Hamielec will remember his Omicron days for a long, long time. He’s a “get-it-done” kind of guy. We know a university chancellor who just might agree.
PSi UPSiLON International Office 3003 East 96th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 Address Service Requested
iNSiDe ThiS iSSUe Lifelong Leader -
Patrick Gilrane, Psi ‘83 (Hamilton College)
Table Manners and Tow Trucks Matthew Hamielec, Omicron ’14, (University of Illinois)
How Annual Fund Gifts Are Used
Upcoming Events April 12-14, 2013 Chi Delta (Duke University) Alumni Weekend
Join Psi U brothers and friends from around the country as we gather in Durham, North Carolina for the
April 13, 2013 Epsilon Iota (RPI) 31st Annual Founders Day Banquet Epsilon Nu (Michigan State) 70th Anniversary and Roof Dedication
PSI UPSILON CONVENTION & 2013 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Chi Delta | Duke University
June 27-July 1, 2013 Register online at www.psiu.org
May 16, 2013 Cape Cod Event Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa Sandwich, MA 02563 June 27-July 1, 2013 170th Psi Upsilon Convention and 2013 Leadership Institute Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Durham, NC