Florida State University has unveiled a new National Pan-Hellenic Council Park on campus. The institution celebrated the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony after the Homecoming Day parade on Nov. 22. The park honors the Black sororities and fraternities that make up Divine 9.
“I am so proud of the realization of FSU’s NPHC, which has been made possible by generations of alumni who were shaped at FSU through their fraternity and sorority experience,” Amy Hecht, who serves as the vice president for student affairs, said in a press release. “This is a significant addition to FSU and serves as a testament to the legacy and impact the Divine Nine organizations contribute to our campus and community.”
Florida State University celebrated the opening of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Park (NPHC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony after the university’s Homecoming Day parade.
The NPHC Park honors the nine historically African American/Black Fraternities and Sororities that fall… pic.twitter.com/fssUQntpVz
— Florida State University (@FloridaState) November 23, 2024
Omega Psi Phi was the first Divine Nine Chapter to open at FSU after the establishment of the Black Student Union in 1968. In 2021, the Division of Student Affairs started developing the project for the park — raising $350,000 in donations.
National Pan-Hellenic Council members noted the significance of the park’s opening and the Divine 9’s legacy having a permanent space on campus.
“For prospective students, the park is a beacon of inspiration showing them the transformative power and impact of Black Greek-letter organizations, and the profound sense of belonging, leadership and purpose they foster,” NPHC president Rain Bellamy said. “This park is not just a testament to our history, but a promise of a future filled with excellence, growth and unwavering community.”
“I am very excited to have a space dedicated to NPHC,” Jamiah Johnson, the vice president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. added. “I believe the opening of the NPHC park on campus is a meaningful step toward recognizing and celebrating the contributions of historically Black fraternities and sororities on campus. The park symbolizes a commitment to inclusivity and diversity while fostering a sense of belonging for members of the NPHC and the wider community.”
The news comes weeks after the NAACP called for an investigation into hate speech made by a student on social media in October. Student Owen Howard published a public Snapchat post in which he wrote “Chimps are going to chimp out” alongside a picture of a Greek life table at a university event. At the time, the university said it could not reveal whether an investigation was conducted nor if the student was sanctioned due to federal student privacy laws.
“This type of rhetoric, disguised as casual language, is profoundly damaging to the well-being of Black students at FSU,” the NAACP chapter at FSU said via a statement, The Tallahassee Democrat reported. “It contributes to a hostile environment where students feel unsafe, unwelcome and devalued.”
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