National Panhellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is composed of nine international Greek letter sororities and fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.
On May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, in Washington D.C., the National Pan-Hellenic Council was formed as a permanent organization with the following charter members: Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities. In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities joined the council. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority joined in 1937 and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity completed the list of member organizations in 1997.
The stated purpose and mission of the organization in 1930 was “Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.” Early in 1937, the organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and became known as “The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated.”
Central Michigan University is currently home to five of the organizations in the Divine Nine, the Theta Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Kappa Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Mu Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Lambda Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Fraternity, Inc. and Omicron Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc.
Questions? Contact us at nphc@cmich.edu.
Chapters on the yard
Below are the current active NPHC chapters at CMU
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
Locally Founded: April 12, 1988
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Flower: Yellow Rose
Symbol: The Great Sphinx of Giza
Mascot: Ape
Philanthropies: Go to High School Go to College, A Voteless People is a Hopeless People, Project Alpha, and My Brother's Keeper
Motto: First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Founded: January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Locally Founded: November 6th, 1971
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Philanthropies: Educational Advancement Foundation, ASCEND, HBCU for Life: A Call to Action, #CAP, and Women’s Healthcare and Wellness
Motto: By Culture and By Merit
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded: January 5, 1911, at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana
Locally Founded: November 3, 1974
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Flower: Red Carnation
Symbol: Diamond
Philanthropies: Guide Right, Room to Read, Achievement Academy, Learn 2 Live, etc
Motto: Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: January 13, 1913 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Locally Founded: April 24, 1971
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Flower: African Violet
Symbol: Pyramid
Mascot: Elephant
Philanthropies: Delta Research and Educational Foundation
Motto: Intelligence is the torch of wisdom
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Founded: January 9, 1914 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Locally Founded: May 18, 1979
Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White
Flower: White Carnation
Symbol: Crescent
Mascot: Dove
Philanthropies: March of Dimes; Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation; Project Vote
Motto: Culture for service and service for humanity
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Headquarters: Cary, NC
Founded: November 12, 1922 at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN
Locally Founded: May 4, 1990
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Flower: Yellow Tea Rose
Mascot: Poodle
Philanthropies: March of Dimes, St. Jude; Swim 1922 with USA Swimming; National Urban League
Motto: Greater Service, Greater Progress