The nine chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) met last night in HUB Heritage Hall to honor their most outstanding and graduating members, as well as induct the 2005 Executive Board.

NPHC President-elect Tahiirah Allen said this awards banquet was the first of its kind for NPHC and thought it was an important event for recognition outside the council. "[The banquet is] a good opportunity to meet people outside of who we normally work with. ... Our goal is to work with everyone," she said. "I think it's important to build community bonds as well as internal bonds."

Outgoing NPHC President Wole Adegbonmire said the banquet was initially intended to honor graduating students, but the idea of inducting the Executive Board was added.

Paul Robeson Cultural Center Director Toby Jenkins made a speech to the audience in which she related the stories of Arthur Ashe, Bill Cosby and Sojourner Truth. "It's about understanding what it means to inherit a legacy and move it further," she said. "You have an obligation to do more and to be more."

Executive Vice President-elect Randy Winder said each chapter contributed to the banquet.

"Everyone had a job to do, and no one dropped the ball," he said. "The implementation and execution of the banquet is excellent."

Winder said the event would help gain recognition for members.

"It's important to each member. ... Any recognition for the work we do in the community is good," he said.

Winder, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, which won most improved chapter, said he felt the community had recognized his fraternity, which had "struggled" in the past. "It almost gets me choked up," he said "It just goes to show our efforts aren't going unrecognized."