By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
In a tribute to the history and legacy of historically Black fraternities and sororities, several universities across the nation have recently unveiled permanent installations that honor the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and its member organizations.
These commemorations acknowledge the profound impact of the “Divine Nine” on campus communities, from leadership and civic engagement to academic excellence.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill celebrated the long-awaited opening of its NPHC Legacy Plaza on South Campus, between the Student and Academic Services Buildings. This plaza, dedicated to the nine founding NPHC organizations, marks the 48th anniversary of their establishment on Carolina’s campus.
“When I arrived on Chapel Hill’s campus in 1971, there were no Black Greek letter organizations,” says Deborah Wilder, a charter member of the omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. “I’ve been a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta for 48 years, and this plaza is a way to say, ‘We were here, and we made the University better for it.’”
The plaza, with nine columns representing each of the founding Black Greek organizations, was designed as a gathering place for reflection and unity. The columns are arranged in chronological order to honor the history of each organization while surrounding pavers and bricks bear the names of donors who made the plaza possible.
“The (NPHC) sororities on campus don’t necessarily have a home, a place where they can gather that is specially meant for them like their counterparts that have houses,” says Student Affairs Director of Development Zack Hawkins. “This gives them a home for them to share their culture, not only amongst themselves but with the entire campus. This is a safe space for them to have fun, enjoy each other’s company, and get to know one another.”
At other universities, like Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, a new monument unveiled during the 2024 Homecoming celebrations also pays tribute to the NPHC’s founding organizations.
Located on Williamsburg Lawn, the semicircular monument is composed of nine onyx pillars, each engraved with the crest of one of the Divine Nine organizations. The 2,400 square-foot monument not only recognizes the accomplishments of each of the NPHC fraternities and sororities but also acknowledges the broader historical context of Black student life on college campuses, particularly in the face of exclusion.
Back in NC, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the NPHC’s legacy is marked by a series of commemorative markers installed around the Star Quad, the central hub of campus. UNC Charlotte’s first Greek-letter organization, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., was chartered in 1970, marking the beginning of a long-standing presence of Black Greek organizations on the campus.
The nine bronze markers in the Star Quad feature the names, crests, founding dates, and mottos of each of the Divine Nine organizations, providing historical context and recognition of their profound impact on the university. For alumni like Robert Rowell ’81, these markers are a reminder of the contributions these organizations have made to the spirit and growth of the university.
From the NPHC Legacy Plaza at UNC Chapel Hill to the onyx monuments at ODU and the commemorative markers at UNC Charlotte, these installations represent more than just physical structures. They symbolize the deep, enduring impact of the Divine Nine on university campuses across North Carolina and beyond.
These Black Greek organizations have cultivated leadership, academic excellence, and civic engagement across the nation’s communities, and continue to play a vital role in ushering pride for students, alumni, and the wider campus population.
