The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) is an umbrella organization for nine historically black, international Greek letter Fraternities and Sororities. They are also known as the Divine Nine. At Delta State University, we currently have eight chartered chapters of the Divine Nine. The Council promotes interaction through several activities throughout the year, including programs and community service initiatives.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. stated purpose and mission:
Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.
Today, the primary purpose and focus of member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities. The individual member is also expected to align with a graduate/alumni chapter, following graduation from college to perpetuate the purpose of the Council.
Scholarship
DSU Greek members take great pride in our level of scholarship achievement. In most of our organization students must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. Chapters place great emphasis on encouraging, developing and monitoring academic progress.
Tutors, study programs, and other incentives provided by each chapter are indicative of this goal. Additionally, time management skills for members improve as they work to attain desired scholastic goals while meeting chapter responsibilities.
Leadership
Membership provides many opportunities for you to be involved in leadership roles. As a chapter officer or coordinator of a chapter event or community service project, you can further your leadership skills. Each chapter has committee structures that allow you to be involved in all operational aspects of the organization.
Community Service
National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters support a strong tradition of service to our campus, community, state, and nation. Each year Greek men and women raise thousands of dollars and, more importantly, volunteer thousands of hours to various charities. Because of strength in numbers and organizational qualities found in fraternities and sororities, their members achieve great success in efforts to aid in the community.
Our Chapters
Alpha Phi Alpha
Chapter Name: Omicron Psi – 1983 at Delta State University
Founded: December 4, 1906 – Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Principles: Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for all Mankind
Annual Events: Project Alpha; Go to High School, Go to College; A Voteless People is a Hopeless People; Cannon Dozier Project; Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Flower: Yellow Rose
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Chapter Name: Mu Gamma – 1978 at Delta State University
Founded: January 15, 1908 – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Principles: Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service
Annual Events: Breast Cancer Awareness; Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive; STD Forum
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Motto: By Culture and By Merit
Kappa Alpha Psi
Chapter Name: Nu Eta – 1988 at Delta State University
Founded: January 5, 1911 – Indiana State University, Bloomington, Indiana
Principles: Unite men of different backgrounds, encourage honorable achievement, promote the spiritual, social, and moral welfare of members, assist aims/purposes of the university, and inspire service in the public interest.
Annual Events: Kappa League; St. Jude Children’s Hospital; Healthy Kappa’s, Healthy Community
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Signifier: Crimson and Cream Cane
Omega Psi Phi
Chapter Name: Upsilon Delta Delta – 1996 at Delta State University
Founded: November 17, 1911 – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Principles: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift
Annual Events: Boys and Girls Club; Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization
Colors: Royal Purple and Old Gold
Symbol: Lamp
Delta Sigma Theta
Chapter Name: Kappa Pi – 1973 at Delta State University
Founded: January 13, 1913 – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Principles: Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood
Annual Events: Breast Cancer Awareness; HIV/AIDS Awareness and Testing; American Heart Association
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Flower: African Violet
Symbol: Fortitude and Torch
Motto: Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom
Phi Beta Sigma
Chapter Name: Xi Beta – 1982 at Delta State University
Founded: January 9, 1914 – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Principles: Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service
Constitutionally bound to the Sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Annual Events: Culture for Service Week; Sigma Reads; March of Dimes
Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White
Flower: White Carnation
Sigma Gamma Rho
Chapter Name: Upsilon Iota – 2022 Delta State University
Founded: November 12, 1922, at Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Principles: Service, Progress, Sisterhood
Annual Events: Rhoer Club, Be the Match, Project Cradle Care
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Flower: The Yellow Tea Rose
Symbol: The Poodle
Motto: Greater Service, Greater Progress
Zeta Phi Beta
Chapter Name: Psi Kappa – 1995 at Delta State University
Founded: January 16, 1920 – Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Principles: Sisterly Love, Scholarship, Service, and Finer Womanhood
Constitutionally bound to the Brotherhood of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Annual Events: March of Dimes/Stork’s Nest Program; HIV/AIDS Seminar; Z-Hope Program
Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White
Flower: White Rose
Symbol: Dove
Motto: Scholarship, Sisterhood, Service, Finer Womanhood
New Membership Intake Process
This is the time when an individual decides to join a fraternity or sorority and is initiated into that organization. Each Chapter has a new membership intake process that can last from 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the individual chapter, the national organization, and other Greek organizations at Delta State. Lifelong bonds are made, networks are established, and fraternal communities are formed on a local, regional, national, and international level.
To be eligible for the membership intake process into a fraternity or sorority, a student should be a current undergraduate full-time student at Delta State University, who is neither on social nor scholastic probation. Each individual fraternity and sorority has its own minimum scholastic requirements to consider in the selection process. Interested students should pay attention to signage pertaining to interest meetings via student email and/or posted around campus.
NPHC Chapters will individually announce their membership selection/intake process during the semester. Interested students are encouraged to visit the national web sites for the various NPHC organizations and to attend events sponsored by the local chapters.
For more information, contact the NPHC Advisor by email at greeklife@deltastate.edu or by phone at 662-846-4787.
How to Get Involved
Attend Events
Look for flyers via Social Media accounts and other DSU-related communication about programming and functions hosted by the chapter(s) that you are interested in.
Not only do we host these programs to educate and uplift the community around us, but to meet and bring in members who share similar values and interests as our own.
Your attendance can not only show your interest in their organization but also give you a better understanding of their programs and help you make connections within the community.
Say Hello
Once you have identified the organization that you are interested in joining, do not be afraid to introduce yourself! We are friendly and LOVE when people want to learn more about our organizations.
Choosing the organization that you would like to join is a serious decision, and one that can be greatly impacted by your interactions and conversations with current members.
Be Prepared
Chapters seek new members who have an understanding, genuine appreciation, and respect for their organization.
Excellent candidates for membership are those who have researched its history, exemplify its standards and values, have leadership and community service experience, and can be a positive addition to the chapter.
Being diverse in other clubs and organizations on campus is a great way to show leadership skills and build relationships with other community members. Take a moment to identify the personal experiences, accomplishments and beliefs that you can bring to a chapter as a new member.
Meet the Requirements
Remember, you are a student first! Each organization has specific GPA requirements that new members must meet to be eligible for membership.
All chapters have financial requirements that can range from $1000 – $2,500 to join and a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Some chapters have additional or more specific requirements, so be sure to reach out to a member of the organization to see if you qualify for membership.
Attend an Information Session
An organization’s informational or interest meeting is where the criteria for membership are explained in depth. However, not all NPHC organizations host interest meetings.
Informational meetings may be publicized via flyers around campus, social media, and/or a direct invitation from the chapter itself.
Look for flyers with words “interest meeting”, “informational”, or “meet and greet”.
All students are welcome to attend to demonstrate their interest in and learn more about the organization and its members!
Other Questions
Nakikke Wallace, Ed.S – Greek Affairs
Program Manager for Fraternity & Sorority Recruitment, Retention, and Risk
Email: greeklife@deltastate.edu
Location: H.L. Nowell Union, 2nd Floor East – Suite 204 – University Services
Phone: (662) 846-4502 or (662) 846-4787
Interest Form
Your interest form submission will be shared with the organization(s) you are interested in for more information.
