From left: NPHC students Jervaughn Hunter, Jimia Sturdivant, Thomas Bailey, Subria Spencer, Terry Hogan, Bridgett Robbins and Jairen Eaton
Student groups at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been recognized for excellence in recent weeks.
The Xi Mu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. won the Empowerment Award and the Southeastern Chapter of the Year Award at their regional conference in Tampa, Florida, in April.
Additionally, the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was honored with the Southern Chapter of the Year Award at the 66th Southern Province Meeting, also held in April.
This marks three of UAB’s eight National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters that hold this honor. The Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is the Southern Region and National Chapter of the Year award winner. Additional awards for Alpha Phi Alpha include National College Chapter of Year; National Education Foundation Scholarship Recipient, and 2015-16 Alabama District College Brother with Highest GPA to member Emmanuel Talley of Birmingham; 2016 Southern Region Charles H. Wesley Award; 2015-16 Alabama District Belford V. Lawson Oratorical Award to member Garry Barnes of Birmingham; and the 2015-16 Alabama District College Chapter March of Dimes Award.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho and Kappa Alpha Psi have won awards at the regional level. Kappa Alpha Psi’s current president, Bryant Williams of Birmingham, is the Junior Province Vice-Polemarch for Alabama and president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Jimia Sturdivant of Phenix City is the Southern Region Undergraduate Member at Large for the State of Alabama.
This is quite an accomplishment for UAB’s undergraduate chapters and is excellent news for UAB’s fraternity and sorority community, says Vice President for Student Affairs John R. Jones III, Ph.D.
| “The success of all of our individual chapters is a testament to the hard work and devotion they have for not only their groups, but NPHC as a whole.” |
“Our students are reaching new heights of greatness here at UAB, and we could not be more proud,” Jones said. “We intend to continue our support of their growth and service to help guide our state’s and country’s next generation of leaders.”
With a legacy of leadership that began with the founders and continued with the charter members, UAB National Pan-Hellenic Council has demonstrated exemplary service and commitment to academic excellence for many years. Current members have earned recognition and esteemed awards, including a student earning the top grade-point average for his or her organization in the state of Alabama. Others serve in top statewide leadership positions within their organizations and are active in student leadership at UAB, says this year’s NPHC adviser, Sharifa Wip. Wip is also mentor coordinator for Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs in the Division of Student Affairs.
“The NPHC at UAB is synonymous with service, leadership and excellence,” Wip said. “These leaders have earned the respect of their peers and fellow community members.
By the end of spring semester 2016, four of UAB’s seven active chapters will have new members, increasing overall membership, says Kristen Bowen, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life.
“The success of all of our individual chapters is a testament to the hard work and devotion they have for not only their groups, but NPHC as a whole,” Bowen said.
Whether it is Into the Streets Day of Service, mentoring students at West End Academy or collecting water to send to Flint, Michigan, UAB’s NPHC community is dedicated to philanthropy and service, Bowen says. Its members give hundreds of service hours, not because they are mandatory, but because service is an integral part of their rituals and principles and their commitment to values.
“Giving back to UAB and Birmingham is at the center of NPHC’s mission,” Bowen said. “Our groups have maintained respect for the history of their founding and continue to be a strong voice for the African-American community here on campus. The future of UAB NPHC is bright, and I envision big things in the future for this council.”