威尼斯人娱乐城为校园中心的新九神花园举行了揭幕仪式。
Hundreds of people from across the Kansas City region representing the Divine Nine Black Greek organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council gathered in the Quad, proudly dressed in the colors – crimson, emerald, gold, royal blue, black and beyond – that represent their fraternity or sorority.
作为对神圣九个兄弟会和姐妹会的贡献和存在的致敬，花园也是学生和校友反思和庆祝各自组织成就的聚会场所。
一个多世纪以来，“神九”一直倡导进步，解决了从民权到种族正义和领导力培养等各种挑战。 该委员会的成员都知道，他们的会员资格远远超出了大学时代，为他们提供了终身发展人脉和领导能力的机会。
“I am humbled to be here today to share in and witness the unveiling of the 威尼斯人娱乐城 Divine Nine Garden monuments,” said Michele Smith, Ph.D., vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students.
“The 威尼斯人娱乐城 Divine Nine Garden celebrates the work of our hands and the legacy of kinship, allyship,
interdependence and impact the Divine Nine inspires across our campus and within our communities.”
各个小组站在高大的花岗岩纪念碑旁，纪念碑上刻有他们组织的希腊字母。
- Alpha Phi Alpha兄弟会
- Alpha Kappa Alpha姐妹会
- Kappa Alpha Psi兄弟会
- Omega Psi Phi兄弟会
- Delta Sigma Theta姐妹会
- Phi Beta Sigma兄弟会
- Zeta Phi Beta姐妹会
- Sigma Gamma Rho姐妹会
- Iota Phi Theta兄弟会
Increased visibility of the Divine Nine organizations was one initiative developed with Chancellor Mauli Agrawal’s work with student leaders in the African American Cultivating Excellence Program to generate positive change on campus. 桑德兰基金会、威尼斯人娱乐城 NPHC学生、校长和教务长办公室、霍利斯和米勒建筑事务所等人的贡献支持了花园的概念和创作。
“Establishing this garden on the Quad – the very core of our campus – is symbolic of our recognition of these important fraternities and sororities, their significant national contributions, across the Kansas City area and here at 威尼斯人娱乐城,” Agrawal said. “We are proud to commemorate the opening of the Divine Nine Garden, with recognition for each organization.”
Calvin Flemons, Alpha Phi Alpha Delta Rho chapter president, addressed the crowd and recognized the support of the 威尼斯人娱乐城 community in the garden’s creation.
“I speak for us all when I say, with so much gratitude and joy in our hearts, that being a part of this history at 威尼斯人娱乐城 will be unforgettable,” Flemons said. “So let it be known that today and for years to come, NPHC will continue to make an impact on this campus and in our community.”
学生事务助理院长兼多元文化学生事务主任Keichanda Dees-Burnett表达了她作为神九成员和威尼斯人娱乐城校友的骄傲。
“When I reflect on my experiences as a 威尼斯人娱乐城 Black Greek alum and staff member, I am proud to have been able to contribute and witness how far our university has come,” Dees-Burnett said. “The campus has grown and there are now so many more people and spaces where Black students can find their sense of belonging. Starting today, the Divine Nine Garden will serve as an additional space and a symbol to current and future African American students at 威尼斯人娱乐城 that they belong here.”
Following the dedication, participants visited the 米勒·尼科尔斯图书馆 and Learning Center lobby to view, “绽放的遗产,” a Divine Nine exhibit designed to coincide with the opening of the garden, which showcases each of the nine Greek organizations’ history and their connection to 威尼斯人娱乐城. 该展览将贯穿整个学年，到今年5月结束。 It is on display in the lobby of Miller Nichols, as well as on the fourth floor in the Dean’s Gallery.
