Phi Psi Professional Textile Fraternity 102nd National Convention

Hey everyone!

I just got back from one of my FAVORITE yearly events!- the Phi Psi National Convention.  Phi Psi is a professional textile fraternity organized for the purpose of the social welfare of, and promoting friendly feelings between those students of Textile Schools.  This group was created in 1902 at Philadelphia Textile School and currently includes the active chapters of: Alpha- Philadelphia, Eta- NC State, Iota- Clemson, Lambda- Alabama Polytechnic, and Nu- Southern Polytechnic State.  (Beta at Dartmouth and Mu at ITT are currently inactive).

This year's convention was hosted by Clemson University and, as always, was a HUGE success!

The purposes of convention are not only to connect with other chapters at a social level, but also to take care of the year's affairs at the annual business meeting and to visit textile facilities.  Thursday night started the event with registration and ice breaker trivia.

On Friday, we rose bright and early to tour Milliken's Design Center.  

Milliken & Company is one of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers in the world.  Many graduates from all chapters of Phi Psi have pursued successful careers at Milliken, including Asae Nakagawa and David Giovannini, who both stopped in for a visit.

Our next tour was at Leigh Fibers Inc., where they specialize in fibers and textile waste recycling since 1922.  The expansive wearhouse and plant we visited has been operating since 1961 and today is the largest textile and waste by-product reprocessing company in North America.  

Our final destination for the day was the new BMW Manufacturing Center.  Unfortunately we were not allowed to take a tour because of a new, not-yet-released product on the line, but we did finish the day with some fun in the Museum.  Be sure to check out the My Photos link to the right for all the pictures inside the museum.

That evening we separated for dinner then met back at Clemson's student center for bowling, ping-pong, table hockey, and pool.  Beyond that, most of us even enjoyed a night on the town, listening to music at some of Clemson's student bars.

Saturday was another big day, starting with the business meeting.  At the annual business meeting, we discuss the rules and traditions of Phi Psi, extending membership, and hold the oral presentations, presented by each chapter.  

Following the business meeting, the fraternity then headed to a low ropes course for team building.  I heard this activity was "unbelievable fun", but decided to take some time to bond with the Eta alumns in downtown Greenville.  

We then got back just in time to throw on cocktail dresses for the banquet and headed down the hall to the hotel ballroom.  The banquet included delicious food and drinks, lots of dancing, and, most importantly, the awards ceremony.  Awards were given in the categories of Written Report, Photographic Archives, Oral Presentation, and Best All Around Chapter (who presented themselves the most professional, mingled with the other chapters, and contributed to the success of the convention).  I am VERY honored to announce that NC State's Eta Chapter swept the 1st Place award for all categories, and was recognized for Best All Around Chapter!  Each year the competition gets tougher, and this year certainly proved that- so congratulations to all chapters!

For more information about Phi Psi, and how to get involved, get your school involved, or if you'd like to extend an invitation for a company visit, please, as always, feel free to contact me.