The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a joint organization of nine historical African American Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The NPHC organization, sometimes called the “Divine Nine,” was formed as a permanent organization on May 30, 1980 on the campus of Howard University.

The NPHC of the university’s campus held their annual Greek show on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theater with free admission to the student body. Since it is black history month, the fraternities and sororities not only stepped and strolled but also informed the audience on the history of each organization.

Each fraternity and sorority participated in the showcase which included, by founding years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (1920), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922) and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963).

Co-host George Veals, a junior kinesiology major and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., gave some input on the showcase.

“I feel like this was a strong event especially to signified unity and black history month. I’m glad that everyone could get together, perform and entertain the student body at Southeastern with the showcase,” said Veals.

Member of Omega Psi Phi and junior accounting major, Aaron Martin, voiced that the reason for the showcase was fulfilled.

“Everybody [Greeks] came out and played their part at the same time the people were informed about our organization, and saw what we can do and are more inquiring about what we do, and maybe come out to an interest meeting,” said Martin.

Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Donnisha Patterson, expressed what she felt about the showcase.

“I thought the showcase was a total success it really implemented the Greek unity we wanted to get on campus. It was a wonderful turnout and it was nice to have the full Divine Nine here tonight,” said Patterson.

Attendees were excited to be in the audience and watch the Great Divine Nine, and learn the history on each organization.

Chrystal Cavalier, freshman psychology major, said, “I thought the showcase was really nice and I learned a lot about how the Greeks are not just for entertainment, it’s an actual purpose behind it and I’m glad that they informed us [student body] of that purpose.”

The showcase brought positive attention to the Greeks on the campus.

Member of Zeta Phi Beta, Kayla Turner commented on the positives of what the showcase brought.

“The Showcase went really well and put us out in a very positive light, I think a lot of people learned thing about organization that they didn’t know and now can take back with them,” said Turner.

The entire showcase was a huge success and it brought much information to the campus.

President of Alpha Phi Alpha, Thomas Moore, expressed his gratitude and thanked the student body for coming out and supporting the Greeks.

“I thought the showcase was really successful, to see the theater packed out to no seats was an amazing turn out.”

For more information on NPHC events or questions, contact the president at [email protected] or the advisor at [email protected].