46 Union Street: The Untold Story of Rho Upsilon

Bruce A. Kesselman
The Rho Upsilon Alumni Association (2006)
ISBN 9780977244201
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (4/08)


Please note: To purchase this book with proceeds to be donated to the RhoUpsilon Scholarship Fund please contact Bruce Kesselman kesselman@rcn.com

“46 Union Street” records the history and story of a highly successful and unusual chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and its noteworthy alumni. Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity was established as a Jewish fraternity. Membership is not discriminatory and is open to all who are willing to adopt its purposes and values.  It is made up of a diversified group of “brothers.”

Rho Upsilon’s mission statement clearly states that it seeks to provide its members with an environment that fosters academic excellence. It further sets forth to provide service to the University, support of philanthropic causes, good alumni relations, responsible pledge education, and an appreciation of fiscal responsibility. “It seeks to recruit members of character who also like to have fun.”

Bruce A. Kesselman, editor, has gathered and accumulated a mass of historical material, photos, letters, awards, newspaper articles, and stories gleaned from the responses to 1,000 questionnaires sent out to Rho Upsilon Alumni.

Architect Paul Sionas provided floor plans for the chapter houses included in the “Part II – Houses.”  The detailed plans and photos provide visuals that make the text come alive as details of history. Pledges and events are conveyed.

Kesselman has a unique gift for inserting humorous antic-dotes and exploits throughout the narrative. From time to time Rho Upsilon has gained unwanted notoriety: the arrival of women and the selling of beer to undergraduates at the Rutgers Student Center, orchestrating the takeover of the Old Queens administration building to protest the war in Vietnam, and a hazing incident that resulted in temporary suspension. 

In time of trouble, a pendulum swing and a recommitment to the goal of scholarship and the core values upon which the fraternity was founded prevailed.

I found Part IV an amazing demonstration of the impressive results of the fraternity’s ongoing dedication to excellence, philanthropic causes, and alumni relations. An honor roll of successful alumni was introduced, with a recap of the accomplishments in a broad spectrum of careers and
public service, including well-known personalities in science, academics, law, medicine, sports, and entertainment.

Rho Upsilon was chartered at Rutgers, in 1956, the 64th active chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Rho Upsilon now ranks 12th out of 130 chapters and colonies of AEPI for continuous operation.

“46 Union Street” is a book that will be enjoyed by every fraternity and sorority member past, present, or considering pledging.  This is an important documentation of a unique era in American history, the history of Rutgers University, the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, and Rho Upsilon Alumni.

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