National Pan-Hellenic Council

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., was founded December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first intercollegiate, Greek letter fraternity established for people of African descent. More than 150,000 men have been initiated into the fraternity since its founding. The fraternity was born out of a desire to promote close association and mutual support among African Americans at the turn of the century. Thanks largely to its seven visionary founders, the fraternity has become one of the most prestigious and influential organizations in the world today. The organization is international with local chapters throughout the United States, District of Columbia, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Alpha Phi Alpha has been interracial since 1945. The list of Alpha men who have made a tremendous impact on the world include: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Jesse Owens, Paul Robeson, and many, many more. We, the brothers of the Mu Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are constantly striving to carry on the legacy.

In 1908, Alpha Kappa alpha Sorority Inc. became America’s first Greek-letter organization established by Black college women. Her roots date back to Howard University, Washington D.C., where Ethel Hedgeman Lyle of St. Louis, Missouri conceived the ideas for formation. She viewed the Sorority as an instrument for enriching the social and intellectual aspects of college life by providing mental stimulation through interaction with friends and associates. Through the years, however, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s function has become more complex. After her incorporation as a perpetual body in 1913, Alpha Kappa Alpha gradually branched out and became the channel though which selected college-trained women improved the socioeconomic conditions in their city, state, nation, and the world. In a world in which materialism is pervasive and technology and competition have decreased the need for collaboration and cooperation, it is critical to have an association that cuts across racial, international, physical, and social barriers to help individuals and communities develop and maintain constructive relationships with others. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is that vital organization. Alpha Kappa Alpha is a sisterhood composed of women who have consciously chosen this affiliation as a means of self-fulfillment through volunteer service. Alpha Kappa Alpha cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards; promotes unity and friendship among college women; alleviates problems concerning girls and women; maintains a progressive interest in college life; and serves all mankind through a nucleus of more that 170,000 women in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. To carry out the purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., out National President has devised creative strategies for action. “THE SPIRIT OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA” is the international program theme for 2002-2006. In an attempt to do our part as a service organization, we have targeted five areas of interest: Target I Education, Target II The black Family, Target III Health, Target IV Economics, and Target V The Arts. On February 9, 1980, 12 ladies became the charter members of Nu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at Georgia Southwestern State University. The chapter has set high standards both socially and academically at GSW.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was organized on November 12th, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana on the campus of Butler University by 7 school teachers. The group became an incorporated national collegiate sorority on December 30th, 1929, when a charter was granted to the Alpha Chapter at Butler University. Since its inception, the dynamic women of Sigma Gamma Rho have built and sustained a well-known and well-respected reputation for leading positive change to help uplift the community through sisterhood, leadership, and service.

Sigma Gamma Rho has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. The sorority has more than 500 chapters in the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, South Korea, U.S. Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. The organization also has active affiliate groups devoted to empowering women at different stages in life which include the Rhoer Club teenage affiliates and Philo adult affiliates (friends of the sorority). Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to service is expressed in its slogan, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.” The sorority has a proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach nationally and internationally. The programs, partnerships, and sponsorships represent Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to promoting the greater good in education, service, and leadership development. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. holds the distinction of being the only NPHC sorority founded at a private, predominately white university, the only NPHC sorority founded by professional women as the founding members were all graduate students, and the only NPHC sorority to have a partnership with the USA Olympic Swim Team through our service project, SWIM 1922.