by Jeroslyn JoVonn
March 22, 2025
Previous Dominion College has put in monuments on campus to honor the Divine 9.
Previous Dominion College is paying tribute to the Divine 9 with the set up of devoted monuments for every of the 9 traditionally Black fraternities and sororities.
Scholar Authorities President Zaria Gassaway, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., spearheaded the initiative to carry the monument collection to campus. The collection goals to honor the historical past and legacy of the Divine 9 on the minority-serving establishment.
“I’m very captivated with every little thing,” Gassaway advised WTKR. “It’s one thing that must be on ODU’s campus. We’re a minority-serving establishment and it feels solely proper to make sure that minorities are acknowledged and seen on campus.”
The hassle was student-led, with Dean of College students Dr. Vicki Williams sharing how they approached ODU President Brian Hemphill, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, to realize his approval and permission to proceed with the undertaking. Given the Divine 9’s legacy, established in 1906 to foster fellowship throughout the Black group throughout an period of discrimination on school campuses, it felt like the right technique to honor these organizations regardless of Previous Dominion being a predominately white establishment (PWI).
“Divine 9 communities have been part of the social footprint for over 100 plus years,” Dr. Williams, who additionally serves because the vice chairman for Engagement, stated.
“I feel this represents not solely what this implies to the Divine 9 group, however I additionally consider that it speaks to the dedication that the president has when it comes to assembly pupil wants.”
It was two years within the making, however the monuments have been unveiled on the Williamsburg Garden throughout Homecoming 2024. Gassaway is comfortable she was round to see the undertaking she began get accomplished.
“It was positively a protracted street to get right here,” Gassaway stated. “Typically we needed to put it down, decide it again up, and begin over. It’s a undertaking that I began throughout my first time period as president and now as a 3rd time period — having the ability to see it earlier than I stroll out and graduate means so much.”
Dr. Williams believes the monuments will assist college students really feel represented throughout the Previous Dominion group. Gassaway thinks they function visible inspiration to these considering becoming a member of the Divine 9.
“For our college students who might not be part of it, this encourages them to both turn out to be concerned or make sure that their considerations, desires, and desires are heard and applied on campus as effectively,” Gassaway stated.
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