'Meet the Greek' program gives NPHC organizations opportunity to share history, goals

By AMY MENEFEE
Collegian Staff Writer

Where there is unity, there is strength.

This is the motto that brought together the nine organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which sponsored a "Meet the Greek" program Saturday at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

The program gave the Penn State community the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history, goals and services provided by the nine historically black greek-letter organizations.

Describing what unifies the organizations, NPHC President Shawna Riley said, "Brotherhood, sisterhood, scholarship and service are the main principles shared by each organization."

Many representatives of each organization emphasized their goal of continued community service.

Sterling Peacock, alumni adviser for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., said many projects are geared toward helping inner-city environments. Penn State's NPHC projects range from educational to recreational.

As formal presentations began, each organization provided a brief history, spoke about programs they are involved with and circumstances out of which they were formed.

Many of the organizations formed in the early 1900s to increase the limited opportunities African-Americans had to socialize on campus and in the community due to prejudice.

Parris Sandlin, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. chapter polemarch, set the mood for reflection and asked audience members to close their eyes as he began to speak. He began by referring to anti-lynching campaigns and the Civil Rights Movement, both of which unified organizations to combat atrocities suffered within the black community.

Icebreakers and a raffle were used to break up each phase of presentations.

The program concluded with an open-forum discussion where attendees discussed the current position of NPHC and future improvements and programs.

Though students had various reasons for attending the program, one saw it as her opportunity to learn.

"Their programs helps educate the Penn State community about the minority greek organizations, which you don't hear about all the time," Reggan Walker (sophomore-education) said.

The fraternities and sororities involved were Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Gamma Phi Sigma Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.