KRISTEN SUZDA Grant winner Kristine Maksymiuk.

Local Frosh Receives Grant By Alex Miller Contributing Writer First-year student Kristine Maksymiuk is now $5000 richer, thanks to a grant presented to her by the Psi Upsilon fraternity last Friday. "This is all very strange because I didn’t expect anything like this," Maksymiuk said. "It’s quite an honor." The first ever William Kerr Leadership Grant was awarded to Maksymiuk in recognition of her outstanding leadership and accomplishments in high school.

Middletown Mayor Dominique Thornton and President Douglas Bennet were present at the ceremony. Thornton opened the presentation ceremony with a complement to Psi U.

"I am so pleased that your fraternity has chosen to recognize public service," Thornton said.

In high school, Maksymiuk participated in a wide variety of activities. She acted and sang in her school’s musicals, served as layout editor for her school paper, played the piano, published poetry and fiction and participated in the Big Sisters program.

Maksymiuk also received the Harvard book award and was president of the her school’s National Honor Society.

"It’s a privilege to be invited to see my daughter honored," said Michael Maksymiuk, Kristine’s father. "It’s sort of like the icing on the cake." Maksymiuk was selected from among the incoming frosh living in Middlesex county. While he could not give a specific number, Senior Associate Dean of Admission Greg Pyke estimated that there are between five and fifteen students in the class of 2002 from this area. Maksymiuk said that Wesleyan’s many offerings and close proximity led her to select Wesleyan.

KRISTEN SUZDA Psi Upsilon members and guests gather to present the first annual William Kerr Grant to Kristine Maksymiuk.

"I feel very privileged," Maksymiuk said.

The grant was given by Psi U in the honor of the fraternity’s long-time advisor, William Kerr. Kerr joined the Wesleyan faculty in 1959 as a professor of history, at the same time assuming the advisor position to Psi Upsilon. In 1963 Kerr became the assistant provost and, after serving in the school’s administration for thirty years, retired in 1993 at the age of 70.

"I’m pleased to say I knew nothing about it." Kerr said about the grant.

Kerr continues to serve the school as an archivist and assistant professor of history. He characterized his association with Psi Upsilon as a "civil, mutually respective relationship."

"Willie is the smartest human being alive," said Kevin Kumler ’99, president of Psi Upsilon.

According to Kumler, the fraternity raised the $5,000 in grant money through t-shirt sales and the fraternity’s dining service. Kumler added that the grant is an example of the diverse range of activities in which the fraternity is involved.

"I think that we try to do community service; it’s not a new thing. It helps strengthen the ties that exist between Wesleyan and the community that Wesleyan is in," Kumler said.