The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a civil rights organization in the United States formed in 1909 to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality to everyone and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

This year, the university’s chapter of NAACP chose the gala “A Night in Egypt” to recognize its members’ accomplishments.

The event was held in the Student Union Ballroom B on Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m.

Sophomore music major Jody Bennett received the Divine Heart Award for having the most community service hours earned in the organization, and the Man of The Year Award.

Senior management major Larry “Trai” Snyder stepped down from presidency, and  expressed how the opportunity enlarged him as a person.

“Overall, tonight was a bittersweet moment,” said Snyder. “NAACP has helped me grow so much as a leader and be a better person overall. I gained a family through NAACP, and as my time at Southeastern nears its end, I am glad I always have my family to come back to.”

In addition to recognizing members’ accomplishments, “A Night in Egypt” brought awareness to the importance of humans working together regardless of ethnicity to create a lasting legacy.

Snyder explained why the Egyptian theme was chosen and the importance of it.

“We chose to do an Egyptian theme this year because Egypt is where civilization began, and we wanted to bring awareness to the fact that in Egypt everyone worked together to build monuments such as the Sphinx and the pyramids,” said Snyder. “Back then, everyone worked together to build a lasting legacy. This is the message we wanted to convey. We must continue to work together to build lasting monuments.”

The Egyptians worked together to build a 66 feet high, 241 feet long and 62 feet wide monument, The Great Sphinx of Giza, for Egyptian Pharaoh Khafre. Nearly 4,500 years later, the monument is one of the most well-known parts of Egyptian history.

Guest speaker Byron Lee used the Egyptian analogy to explain the importance of people working together to complete tasks that seem impossible.

“Working together works,” said Lee. “It would have been impossible for one person to build a pyramid. People had to work together. From the creation of first pyramid in 2611 B.C. to today, the same theory applies. We must work together to build a legacy. Nowadays, we lack unity, but it’s merely a state of mind. If we are optimistic, we will have more opportunities than burdens.”