Be Part of the Divine Nine
The start of a new academic year provides opportunities for ETSU students to join new organizations – academic or sports clubs, honor societies, intramural teams, or Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Last week was Fall Primary Recruitment for Panhellenic sororities at ETSU – a big week, in fact, as the College Panhellenic increased its overall chapter size membership from 234 to 370 by the end of recruitment week.
Numbers are also up for ETSU men considering membership in Interfraternity chapters
this week, with IFC rush registration up by 35% over last year.
Membership intake will also kick off this fall for new membership within ETSU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations, part of the Divine Nine. Founded in 1930, the National Pan-Hellenic Council includes nine historically African American fraternities and sororities.
Four of those organizations are currently active at ETSU, and two fraternities hosted informational meetings last night hoping to re-establish their chapters at ETSU.
“Our NPHC organizations do not organize their membership intake through a council structured process but host recruitment events coordinated by each chapter at different times throughout the year” said Dr. Maggie Darden, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at ETSU. “Though these groups were founded as African American organizations, membership is open to all students.”
During Homecoming 2019, the NPHC Plaza was officially dedicated at ETSU. Situated between Centennial and Governors halls, the plaza serves as a place to educate the campus about the history of each of the Divine Nine member organizations. It also offers an outdoor setting for community engagement and programming.
Currently active NPHC organizations at ETSU are:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Recent informational sessions have been held regarding:
“Our NPHC organizations have a tremendous focus on leadership and service,” Darden said. “There is a deep commitment to service to humankind and finding ways to make a difference in both little and big ways.”
Darden encourages any student interested in learning more about NPHC to contact her at dardenm@etsu.edu.
She added that an Etiquette Session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6-8 p.m. in the Cave that will provide more information about NPHC membership.