Plaza built to honor Black campus groups

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The NPHC Plaza is located outside of Waterfield Library. (Jayden Hayn/The News)

MacKenzie Rogers, Staff Writer

Set to commemorate the historically Black “Divine Nine” Greek organizations, the National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza is quickly approaching its completion after nearly a year since the campaign broke ground on Nov. 21. 

The NPHC was founded in the 1930s, according to the NPHCHQ, with the intention of promoting “unanimity of thought and action as far as possible…and to consider problems of mutual interest.” 

Located on the main walkway beside the Waterfield Library, the plaza was designed with nine brick columns representing each of the Divine Nine’s letters and crests, along with bricks that span out from each column. Some of the bricks will feature personalized messages and names of the numerous donors who supported the plaza’s campaign. 

President of Murray State’s NPHC Jaclyn Paige Carter said the plaza aims to educate the community on the history of the organizations.

“This plaza serves as a place to educate the campus about the history of each of the organizations while offering a new outdoor gathering place for the community to engage and have programs,” Carter said. “A place like this will help educate every student, faculty member and visitor to Murray State [on] the importance and impact of these organizations.”

 The NPHC chapters strive to produce leaders while simultaneously connecting them with their brothers and sisters, forging unbreakable bonds, according to the NPHC plaza campaign website.

The five NPHC chapters currently active on campus are: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta. The four NPHC chapters not active on campus are: Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Hamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.

“Each group not only plays a vital role in student life but continues to produce confident and skilled leaders—leaders who succeed academically and strive to make positive changes in their community,” Carter sai

Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Don Robertson said the NPHC Plaza was a significant addition to the University’s campus. 

“I believe it will have a very positive impact and a point of pride,” Robertson said. “It honors our current students, past students and future students. It helps in promoting and recognizing diversity and inclusion at Murray State University. This plaza will be a point of pride and inspiration for all of our students.”

The NPHC Plaza’s fundraising campaign raised over $129,000 in support of this historic plaza. 

“It will symbolize the importance of these organizations on campus today as well as the significant contributions of their alumni,” Robertson said. “It also shows the appreciation the University has for the group’s leadership and service to the University and the community.”

The NPHC will host the plaza’s unveiling ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29

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