What was once just a dream is now a beautiful reality. The University of Arkansas dedicated the NPHC Garden on Homecoming morning, October 16 on the hillside west of the Arkansas Union overlooking Don. W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
“We dedicate this space to the NPHC charter members who established the U of A Council in 1992. It is because of them we are standing before you today,” Bowser said at the ceremony. “We dedicate this highly visible space to show the importance and significance of our African American Black Greek Letter organizations on the University of Arkansas campus.”
The NPHC Gardens, located south of the Administration Building, and overlooking Razorback Stadium, will serve as a monument, commemorating the rich heritage of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the historically Black fraternities and sororities at the U of A.
Former Razorback football standout Deatrich Wise, Jr., first noticed tributes to underrepresented students while visiting other university campuses during away games. He wondered if the U of A would consider something similar for Black Greek students, then spoke to others about the idea, and several years later, with lots of help from other students, his vision is a reality.
“As an undergraduate student, there was a lack of representation for the Black Greek culture on campus,” Wise said. “I wanted something to represent our history and culture, but also have a plot to showcase who we are as Black fraternities and sororities. This design is beautiful and well thought out. This will forever be brilliant.”
The area includes large, rectangular stones for seating, centered around a lighted stage, embedded into the hillside.
“To current NPHC students, this is the space for us, a space that we can call our own, where we can create memories, fellowship, unity and relationships that will last for a lifetime,” Wise said.
“To me the most exciting part about the gardens is the fact that NPHC organizations on this campus have a place to gather with our organization’s name on it,” said Madison Russell, president of NPHC and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. “It means a lot to have a place that is ‘ours’ that we can share with the campus community. The garden also illustrates the intersectionality we experience as Razorback students and NPHC members, and I believe there is no better place for that than directly across from Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. Not only do we have a space, but it is a space we can be proud of in a prime location.”
“It is not just a gathering place, but it is a place for our Black sororities and fraternities to call their own,” Parice Bowser, assistant vice chancellor for Greek life and associate dean of students, said. “It’s a place to build community. A place to be a community. A place to program, educate, but most importantly, a place of belonging as members of The Divine Nine — The National Pan-Hellenic Council at the University of Arkansas.
STUDENT-LED INITIATIVE
While Wise originated the idea as a member of the Iota Tau Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, fellow Greeks and fellow students continued the momentum after he departed for the NFL.
Charles Robinson, interim chancellor
“I am beyond grateful for the work that was put into this project from the beginning to the end,” Bowser said. “Former students T.J. Kitchen (Alpha Phi Alpha) and Thea Winston (Alpha Kappa Alpha) spent their time in office benchmarking other campuses and preparing presentations to discuss with university officials.”
Other Greek leaders wrote letters of support and/or participated in numerous discussions to select an architect along with designing the project.
“Rachel Jackson (AKA), J’Lynn Lowery (AKA), Nik Harper (Kappa), Ahmere Albert (Kappa), Delayne Coleman (AKA) and Khalil Buckmire (Phi Beta Sigma) all worked tirelessly on this project. All these students are recent graduates and served as NPHC president or council officers during their undergraduate career. They helped get us where we are today.”
“I would also like to recognize and thank Charles Robinson, interim chancellor; Melissa Rom, interim vice chancellor of student affairs and dean of students; our facilities management team; and Olin Studio, our design team, for their support throughout the process,” Bowser said. “This is just the beginning! We are looking forward to the programming efforts and other key essentials to make our new plaza shine bright. Arkansas Greek Life will continue to thrive and grow. Believe It!”
Some information in this article was previously published in Arkansas News.
Check out this video of the dedication captured by Ben Sawyers, UATV’s station manager, a U of A senior majoring in Advertising Public Relations.