NPHC Fall Convocation

Organizations welcome, educate potential new members

Libby Thornton photos

Troy’s National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations held their annual fall convocation in the Trojan Center Theater and Ballrooms to provide an informational browse session for students.

The convocation was in the form of an outreach event to get more membership intake and to let students know what each organization does on campus and what each one stands for.

“It’s really important for students to know about these organizations and what we have to offer because this is just another way of learning what we do,” said NPHC President and member of Troy Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Teyshaun Williams,  a senior cyber security major from Hoover, Alabama. "With my goal of being president this year, I really wanted to focus on outreach and making sure that students understand what NPHC is all about.”

NPHC is composed of all Divine Nine (D9) organizations as one unit, representing the unity aspect. Seven of these organizations are currently active at Troy University.

“We love to partner with other organizations to show that we can come together for a common cause,” Williams said. “Although we have separate organizations, we all can still work together to come to a common goal.

“We have a lot of things and practices that we emplace amongst our whole entire organization.”

Attendees were able to ask questions and meet current organization members. This event was also mandatory for membership eligibility.

Each national organization has set requirements for membership.

Some of the requirements to join these organizations are completing at least 12 credit hours at Troy, having a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA and enrollment at Troy University.

“This sorority is really big on community service, which is basically our main focus along with GPA and involvement on campus,” said Vice President of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Kaneisha Draugh, a junior criminal justice major from Enterprise, Alabama. “Since we are really big on community service, we would like for people to come in with community service hours already established from their own previous outreach projects.

“When getting to know these organizations, don’t be scared to reach out. Talk to us and get to know us.”

By the end of the night, students left with the insight on why to go Greek.

“I’m now interested in joining one of these organizations because I heard that they are great for networking and meeting new people,” said Trelaine Baldwin, a freshman criminal justice major from Montgomery, Alabama. NPHC will hold a student tailgate on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the Shackleford quad for the first home football game of the season.