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March 11, 2008
Exhibit showcases Penn State African-American fraternities and sororities
University Park, PA— "The National Pan-Hellenic Council: The Divine Nine," an exhibit featuring both historical and contemporary images of Penn State’s representation within the fraternities and sororities of The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), is on display March 17 to April 30, 2008, in Pattee Library main exhibit hall.
Founded in 1930 at Howard University, NPHC is made up of nine International Greek letter organizations, including four sororities and five fraternities. Known as “The Divine Nine,” many of the chapters evolved during a period when African Americans were essentially being denied rights and privileges afforded other college students.
The NPHC formed to promote interaction through forums, meetings, and other media for the exchange of information and to engage in cooperative programming and initiatives. Each organization serves the members of the local community, with a belief that greater service results in greater progress. Working together, members have achieved success at Penn State and elsewhere.
The Divine Nine includes fraternities—Alpha Phi Alpha, founded in 1906, at Cornell University; Kappa Alpha Psi, founded in January 1911, at Indiana University; Omega Psi Phi, founded November 1911, and Phi Beta Sigma, founded in 1914, both at Howard University; and Iota Phi Theta, founded in 1963, at Morgan University. The sororities include Alpha Kappa Alpha, founded in 1908, Delta Sigma Theta, founded in 1913, and Zeta Phi Beta, founded in 1920, each at Howard University and Sigma Gamma Rho, founded in 1922, at Butler University.
In 2006, Penn State Libraries featured an exhibit of Omega Psi Phi, Penn State's oldest African-American fraternity, on its 85th anniversary.
This and the current exhibit represent the efforts of Dr. Andrew Jackson Sr., life member of Omega Psi Phi and retired academic adviser for the College of Education, with assistance from Edward N. Thompson, associate director, Development and Alumni Relations. Jackson hopes these exhibits will make more people aware of the contributions that fraternities and sororities continue to make to this University.
On Friday, April 18, 4:30 p.m., the public is invited to a celebration of the Penn State's Black Alumni Reunion, the Divine Nine exhibit, and the opening The Charles L. Blockson Collection of African Americana and the African Diaspora, on the third floor of Pattee Library west. A brief presentation by 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Charles L. Blockson will be followed by a reception in the Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library.
The presentations, exhibit, and reception offer an opportunity for alumni to reconnect, enjoy programs, and discover the African-American legacy at Penn State.
Sponsored by the University Libraries and Penn State's Educational Equity Office, the presentation and reception are open to the public.
Questions, call the Libraries Public Relations and Marketing Office at 814-863-4240.