T he creation of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Historical Preservation Plaza at Georgia College, honoring the nine historically African American international fraternities and sororities—the “Divine Nine” stemmed from Fraternity and Sorority Life looking into honoring the heritage of these organizations on campus.

The collective efforts of Stacey Milner, ’11 , ’15, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, African American Alumni Council (AAAC) founding members, donors, students and staff contributed to its existence. 

“What students and alumni wanted was something to really connect them to the institution,” Milner said. “We noticed other campuses have plots and monuments, so we wanted to have something similar at Georgia College.”

She researched institutions comparable to Georgia College like Wake Forest University, which had a Divine Nine site. Milner then created a mockup of the NPHC Plaza for former Georgia College President Dr. Steve Dorman, and developed the concept from there.

Milner credits the founding African American Alumni Council (AAAC) members including Debra White Minor, ’88, and Pamela Trawick, ’91, as well as students like Jazmin Hunt, ’21, and donors, including Milner, and Retired Brigadier General Jonathan McColumn, ’86, with helping to push for the plaza to exist.

Hunt was a liaison between NPHC, alumni, contractors and school officials, who helped facilitate the identity NPHC strived to share with the campus and community.  

“It was a great experience to see the alumni and even chartering chapter members during the unveiling of the plaza,” she said.

McColumn envisions the NPHC Historical Preservation Plaza as a place that will build unity and cohesion.

“My donation to the NPHC Plaza represents my commitment to join others in building a permanent shrine for students to inquire about its purpose and motivation,” he said. “For alumni, to include Divine Nine members, it represents Homecoming on campus—a place to reflect and provide well wishes to a curious bystander or a familiar face.” 

The NPHC Plaza is historically significant to McColumn in his reflection upon the unique friendships made with his fraternity brothers while balancing the rigors of academics.

"It highlights the cherished brotherhood experience I enjoyed with the young men of Kappa Alpha Psi," McCollumn said. “Even more, the experience was broadened through the collective camaraderie now etched in my memory by, with and through the shared joys and struggles with the Divine Nine at GC.” 

“When I was a nontraditional student, the plaza was something we wanted,” Milner said. “We had painted benches on campus. Alumni loved those, because it symbolized their time at GC.”

However, alumni and students wanted something more.

“Everyone who belongs to a NPHC organization always wanted a historical preservation plaza of this magnitude,” she said. “They got excited about the idea of being connected to the institution and wanted to leave a legacy.”

Milner believes NPHC organizations are that legacy, given the work its members put into establishing them, including recruiting members and being catalysts in serving others.

“I was blessed and fortunate to be in a great position and have the right connections to pull everybody together to make it happen,” Milner said. “Once everything got going, it was a team effort.”

The NPHC Plaza became official with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held during Homecoming 2019.

“To me, that was the best Homecoming ever,” Milner said. “It was great, because we welcomed alumni home, who hadn't stepped foot on campus in 30 to 40 years.”

Today, some students use the plaza as a backdrop for graduation photos. It’ll also be used for events like when students are introduced to Georgia College. 

“As we transition into a new phase, I hope our Admissions Office can work the plaza into campus tours,” she said. “It will serve as a beacon of education, because there's so much long-standing history with African American sororities and fraternities.”

Many of the organizations have existed for over 100 years. And, many of the world's most iconic individuals are affiliated with these organizations, including Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King, who was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

His wife, Coretta Scott King and United States Vice President Kamala Harris are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In addition, the Father of Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson, was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

“It's just been unfortunate that we haven't been able to utilize the plaza in great capacities lately due to COVID,” Milner said. “But now students are excited about using it. There are all types of events, like luncheons and new member presentations, that they’re looking forward to hosting at the plaza.”

Like many students and alumni, Hunt, McColumn and Milner are excited to see what the future holds for the NPHC Historical Preservation Plaza.

“It is amazing to see the NPHC Plaza,” Hunt said. “It gives my sisters, alumni and other organizations a place to call their own. It’s something that will always be there for me to return to, even if campus changes. The plaza captures Black History on campus, encapsulating and protecting it. I am very happy this landmark was established to give a home to those who’ve served GC and the community for over 50 years.”

“My desire is that the plaza will continue to blossom into a place for all students to build campus espirit,” McColumn said. “From those curious engagements and inquiries, students can build friendships with fellow students while addressing local issues in an open and professional manner.”

“My hope is that the NPHC Plaza serves our to tell the story of our history, and that it functions as a place where people who visit Georgia College see it as a symbol of change—the university’s embrace and appreciation of culture,” Milner said. “And that it allows individuals to ask questions of who we are, and what is special about our organizations.”