Phi Deuteron begins
Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Phi Deuteron Chapter was first colonized as the third fraternity established on Kent State’s campus. Its first house stood at 230 East Main Street.
Our history
More than seventy-five years of Phi Deuteron.
From our first colonization in 1949 to today’s growing colony, generations of brothers have carried Alpha Epsilon Pi forward at Kent State.
A preserved charter and a new beginning
After the chapter became inactive amid nationwide challenges for Greek life during the Vietnam era, alumni helped restart Phi Deuteron. The chapter was reactivated on January 20 and re-chartered on April 19, with Fred Binstock serving as its first Master in almost a decade. Its new home was 216 University Drive.
Homes across Kent
Phi Deuteron lived at several addresses during the decade, including 323 E. School St., 802 S. Depeyster St., 424 E. Main St., 306 E. Summit St., and residences on North and South Lincoln Streets.
The legacy of “Doc Whiz”
Dr. Robert “Doc Whiz” Zuckerman became Alpha Epsilon Pi’s oldest pledge in 1994. He remained closely involved with his pledge brothers and served as Faculty and Alumni Advisor until his unexpected death in 2008. His loss was deeply felt, and his name remains held in the highest regard locally and nationally.
Latkefest begins
Alumnus Victor Newman founded Latkefest, which grew into a respected campus philanthropy attended by hundreds. Following Doc’s passing, Mike Levinstein and Sol Factor served as Alumni and Faculty Advisors; Sol became an honorary Phi Deuteron brother in 2010.
Seventy years and another rebuilding
Michael Pollak and Terry Hugo organized Phi Deuteron’s 70th anniversary in 2019, welcoming more than 80 alumni from nearly every decade back to campus. After losing its house during the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter returned to Main Street. In 2022, Andrew Aronoff and Mat Kirlis, alongside advisors Michael Pollak and Joel Black, helped revive old traditions while building new ones.
Phi Deuteron returns
After the chapter closed in spring 2024, Regional Director and alumnus Matt Cohen, advisor Joel Black, and brother Kevin Bluffestone worked to assemble a new founding group. Kevin became Master and a Founding Father alongside Lieutenant Master Arye Carlson, Scribe Blake Jordan-Borns, and Rush Chair Dov Kovach. Phi Deuteron officially returned to campus as a colony.
A new home on Summit Street
The colony moved into its current home at 319 E. Summit St. The house gives the growing brotherhood a place to preserve traditions, create new ones, and continue working toward becoming a fully re-established chapter.