The National Pan-Hellenic Council is an organization comprised of the nine historically African American fraternities and sororities, more commonly referred to as the “Divine Nine” or “D9.”

The NPHC is represented on Northwestern State University’s campus through seven of the overall nine different organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta.

“The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern,” the NPHC website states, and the council continues to cultivate many different opportunities and experiences for members.

NPHC week was about bringing students together to show what it means to be a member of one of these organizations. Comprised of a week’s worth of events, the NPHC celebrated the history and growth of the different fraternities and sororities throughout NPHC week.

The events also gave the students and prospective members opportunities to serve their communities and to meet new friends.

The weeklong series of events kicked off with “Motivation Monday” and concluded on Sunday with a “Unity Church Service.” With events every single day of the week, including a field day event and a speaker who shared information about the traditions of Black student organizations, students were given the chance to have fun and give back to their community.

Ar’Nijah Bradley is a junior biology major and president of the Iota Mu chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Bradley’s favorite event was the “NPHC Mixer” that took place Friday evening. She noted the importance of community coming together.

“Oftentimes we are misrepresented and misunderstood, but I want to bring awareness to our wonderful African American organizations,” Bradley stated.

Prospective members were invited to participate in a variety of events all around campus during the week, encouraging students to learn about the history of the NPHC.

“It’s all good vibes. We’re having fun, trying to get people to come out. Everybody’s laughing and talking, and it’s just been a good time,” said DeShod Dixon, a senior health and exercise science major.

Dixon is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, and his favorite part of NPHC Week was Saturday’s “Service Day,” where he was able to give back to the community and help clean up Natchitoches.

Jordan Winston, a senior health and exercise science major, and is the vice president of the NPHC and the secretary of the Iota Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. Winston reiterated the importance of coming together and educating new students who might be interested in joining one of the organizations.

“We do a lot of service for the community, particularly the black community, because sometimes it gets overlooked, and NPHC Week is a fun time to show everyone what we do, how we do it and to have fun,” Winston said, having attended the “Field Day” event that took place Friday afternoon, on the President’s Field.

NPHC Week is a great precursor to any student on campus, particularly those who might be interested in joining one of the historically African-American fraternities or sororities on campus. Fostering a sense of family, the organizations are working hard to ensure new and old members alike feel welcomed and included.