News

Georgia Tech held a groundbreaking ceremony this past Saturday, April 22, for the Divine Nine Plaza installation, located between the Smithgall Student Services building and the Student Center Plaza building behind the Student Center parking deck.  

“[This site] will serve as a testament to the legacy of the generations who have walked before us,” said fourth year, Industrial Engineering major, Jordine Jones as she kicked-off the celebration on Saturday. “It will also speak to the power of a community laying the groundwork for those that come after.” 

The history of the Diving Nine (also known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council or NPHC) at Georgia Tech goes back nearly 50 years, when the Delta Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity obtained its charter in 1976. This site will be the first Institute site at Georgia Tech to be devoted to the Divine Nine as a whole and will join campuses all over the county that have installed Plots to celebrate the Diving Nine in celebration of their communities, students, and alumni. 

“I’m exceedingly proud of our students and alumni for leading this charge from the beginning,” said President Angel Cabrera at Saturday’s groundbreaking.  “And I’m excited to see all the ways this new space will prove to be a boon and a blessing to our campus community for future generations of Yellow Jackets.” 

The nine member organizations of the NPHC are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.  There currently is not an Iota Phi Theta chapter at Georgia Tech. 

“This plaza and the Divine 9 plots it comprises sits on our recently established experiential pathway – which was designed to recognize student contributions, service and leadership,” reflected Luoluo Hong, vice president for Student Engagement & Well-Being.  “As such, it is an ideal location to highlight the activism and advocacy, the history and traditions, as well as the culture and community that are the legacies of these foundational NHPC organizations.” 

The plaza will feature nine plots, one each to represent all organizations in the NPHC, and an amphitheater for events and performances. This Divine Nine Plaza will offer an opportunity for NPHC organizations to gather and foster community engagement and programming. The plaza is expected to open in the Fall of 2023.